In celebration of spring, Alite has teamed up again with the wonderful folks at Weekend Sherpa to put together a few posts on easy day hikes in the surrounding Bay Area! Read on, and get outside...!

Heron's Hotspot

Some real movers and shakers have swooped in on San Francisco’s southern industrial-chic waterfront thanks to the creative work and advocacy of the Golden Gate Audubon Society and other environmental groups. Heron’s Head Park has 24 acres of salt marsh and bayside beach favored by over 100 bird species. Tranquil trails here meander among rehabilitated and protected marshland that’s essential for bird nesting, resting, and feeding. Get up close to the shorebirds with an easy stroll along the park’s primary pathway—a long spit of land jutting out into the bay. Read more and get directions...

And for you newbie (and perhaps directionally challenged) hikers, a few hiking tips from Alite...

Tip #1: Make note of signs and landmarks - As you’re following your hiking trail, make note of signs and important landmarks that you pass. You don’t need to be a court room stenographer here, but if you ever make a turn, make a mental or physical note of that turn. Always look for a marker that will remind you of the turn upon your return.

Tip #2: Bring a flash light or other light source - One mistake that’s often made by new hikers is that they don’t accurately judge how long it will take to complete a hike. Thus, the sun can began to descend before new hikers have made it to the end of the trail.

More from Weekend Sherpa:

If you'd like more tips on finding the best hikes, bike rides, beaches, water adventures, overnight escapes, wineries, and more, sign up for Weekend Sherpa’s free weekly email about getting outdoors in California!

In celebration of spring, Alite has teamed up again with the wonderful folks at Weekend Sherpa to put together a few posts on easy day hikes in the surrounding Bay Area! Read on, and get outside...!

Numero Bruno

San Bruno Mountain is like an island of nature among a sea of humanity. Surrounded by freeways, cities, an airport, even a sports arena, this San Francisco high-riser beckons exploration. The 8 miles (round-trip) it takes to reach the east peak and return the way you came sounds like a haul, but it's a surprisingly moderate hike with tremendous unobstructed views almost the entire way. Each new turn offers a new perspective as you work your way up to the ridge, with panoramas of the bay, Ocean Beach, and San Francisco.  Read more and get directions...

And for you newbie (and perhaps directionally challenged) hikers, a few hiking tips from Alite...

Tip #1 - Using a map and compass - Using your compass to orient yourself and your map to identify objects and landmarks will keep you headed in the right direction. In addition, hikers need to see what type of terrain they’re going to encounter, and the best way to see that is with a topographic map. There’s a great article here (http://adventure.howstuffworks.com/outdoor-activities/hiking/how-to-read-a-topographic-map.htm) on the in’s and out’s of topographic maps.

Tip #2 - Using your phone for GPS - If you’re venturing into the backcountry or off the beaten path, many iPhones and smartphones that are out of cell range may still cache a map and show your location via GPS. Make sure to flip on the map functionality before going out of range. This is by no means full proof, so we would always encourage you to use a map and compass.

More from Weekend Sherpa:

If you'd like more tips on finding the best hikes, bike rides, beaches, water adventures, overnight escapes, wineries, and more, sign up for Weekend Sherpa’s free weekly email about getting outdoors in California!