2023 California Orienteering Festival (https://cal-o-fest.com)
Recent Changes
Welcome
In orienteering, “the thinking sport”, you use a map and compass to navigate a course through unfamiliar terrain. People of all ages enjoy orienteering as a leisurely walk in the woods or as a competitive cross-country race.
Newcomers are welcome at BAOC events, which are held throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. We offer beginner courses suitable for both individuals and families, as well as advanced courses that challenge the technical and physical capabilities of individuals and small teams. Learn more here.
We encourage all runners to try orienteering. A runners’ welcome page is here.
Current and Upcoming Events
- May. 5 (Sun.) -
Indian Valley College
B; Orienteering returns to the verdant hills around the Indian Valley College campus after a 7-year hiatus, with a new map; there will be the standard 7 courses (White through Blue); free introductory instruction for beginners, who are very welcome
- Jun. 2 (Sun.) -
Summer Series Event #1: Presidio of San Francisco - Presidio of San Francisco
C; This is the first event of the 2024 Summer Series. Beginners are welcome, with free short clinics to explain orienteering (pending park approval)
Other Upcoming Events
- Aug. 25 (Sun.) -
Summer Series Event #6: Bedwell Bayfront Park - Bedwell Bayfront Park
C; This is the final event of the 2024 Summer Series. Our annual event at this beginner-friendly park is in the planning stage. As usual, beginners will be welcome, and there will be short, free clinics to explain orienteering.
Recent Results
- May. 5 -
Indian Valley College
B; Orienteering returns to the verdant hills around the Indian Valley College campus after a 7-year hiatus, with a new map; there will be the standard 7 courses (White through Blue); free introductory instruction for beginners, who are very welcome
- Apr. 28 -
Point Pinole Regional Shoreline
C; Five courses for beginners through advanced; free introductory instruction for beginners, who are very welcome; the BAOC 2024 AGM will be held at this event
- Apr. 28 -
BAOC Annual General Meeting - Point Pinole Regional Shoreline
Annual membership meeting and election of officers
Other Northern California Orienteering Opportunities
The organizations listed below put on events in Northern California and nearby. Their events are listed on the Schedule page (i.e., when "All Clubs" is selected).
- Gold Country Orienteers (GCO) (http://www.goldcountryorienteers.org) – Organizes orienteering events in the Sacramento area
- Nav-X (http://www.navxchallenge.com) – Organizes map-trekking events in Northern California
- terraloco (http://go-terraloco.blogspot.com) – Organizes urban and wilderness map adventures
- Truckee Orienteering Club (http://www.truckeeorienteering.org) – Organizes orienteering events in the Lake Tahoe area
News and Notes
Various “news” items are posted on this page. Recent items:
- BAOC & CalOFest Uniforms Available (12/17/23)
- New Revision of the IOF Specification for Control Descriptions (11/22/23)
- Call for 2024 Event Volunteers/Mentors/Mentees (11/7/23)
- Gavin Wyatt-Mair received 2023 OUSA President’s Award (9/20/23)
- New BAOC Mapping Director (9/13/23)
A Google calendar of Bay Area events is on the Schedule page. If you have a personal Google calendar, you can subscribe to this one to have the events displayed on your calendar.