Table of contents |
Western States Championships
Presidio of San Francisco (Friday)
Calero County Park (Saturday & Sunday)
Date: Feb. 28 - Mar. 2, 2025
Location: San Francisco and San Jose
Event Director: - 415.309.1853
Course Setters: John Richardson, Misha Kreslavsky, Gavin Wyatt-Mair
Type: A; Three days of National Ranking Events (NREs) for beginners through advanced; everyone, including beginners, is welcome each day; results of best 2 days will be combined for the Western States Champs (entry deadlines: Jan. 26, Feb. 16)
Related Event Information
Online Registration (https://eventreg.orienteeringusa.org/eventregister/register/start/wschamps2025) 2023 Cal-O-Fest Presidio Event (https://cal-o-fest.com/stage_01) 2024 BAOC Calero Event
This will be a three-day event, including a Friday afternoon Sprint event at San Francisco Presidio National Park, followed by a Middle event on Saturday and a Classic event on Sunday, both at Calero County Park in San Jose. Each day will offer the standard National Ranking Event (NRE) courses as well as White and Yellow recreational courses.
More event information is being added to this webpage, so please check back later for the whole story.
Early-bird pricing ends at 11:59 PM on January 26, so register online now here (https://eventreg.orienteeringusa.org/eventregister/register/start/wschamps2025). (You can see who has already registered here (https://eventreg.orienteeringusa.org/eventregister/reglist/home/wschamps2025).)
- Note: There will be White and Yellow courses each day for "recreational" entrants (as well as for NRE competitors).
Everyone is welcome to participate at the events. For those who are interested, there will be four competitions:
- National Ranking Events
- Each day will be a separate NRE, with ranking points for OUSA members in each OUSA Individual Championship Class (https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vRvedHbunw1ddb1Y151Xch0BhZDgptSkq5dG1xInPcUEGa9e5E_NkKJfVSB6P9-LvcEAPmOKBWUrNGd/pub#h.26in1rg).
- Western States Championships
- A point system will be used to combine each person's best two results of the three days to determine the Western States Champions in each OUSA Individual Championship Class (https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vRvedHbunw1ddb1Y151Xch0BhZDgptSkq5dG1xInPcUEGa9e5E_NkKJfVSB6P9-LvcEAPmOKBWUrNGd/pub#h.26in1rg).
- OUSA members from these states are eligible: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. (Those are the states with 10,000-foot mountains.)
- U.S. Junior Team Trials
- This event (or petitioning) will determine who will represent the U.S. at the Junior World Orienteering Championships (JWOC (https://www.jwoc2025.it/)) in Italy in June. The OUSA selection rules for the JWOC team are here (https://docs.google.com/document/u/1/d/e/2PACX-1vR10QR5IcGoOmXhjiW4yUVv96lsMe3AoGQVq6MKYKNOVkm3tMFypIa8oI0m1ng3OA/pub#h.488uthg).
- U.S. Senior Team Trials
- This event (or petitioning) will determine who will represent the U.S. at the World Orienteering Championships (WOC (https://www.woc2025.fi)) in Finland in July. The OUSA selection rules for the WOC team are here (https://docs.google.com/document/u/1/d/e/2PACX-1vR10QR5IcGoOmXhjiW4yUVv96lsMe3AoGQVq6MKYKNOVkm3tMFypIa8oI0m1ng3OA/pub#h.3utoxif).
Embargo Notice
The Presidio of San Francisco and Calero County Park are closed to all NRE competitors before the respective events. At the events, everyone must stay in the Assembly Area prior to going to the Start and after returning from the Finish.
- Note: Anyone who has a need to go into the Presidio (e.g., they work there) must contact the Event Director () prior to the event.
Event Schedules
Schedule for the Sprint Event on Friday, February 28
- 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM: NRE packet pickup open
- 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM: NRE registration open
- 2:00 PM: Pre-assigned NRE starts begin (Junior Trial participants will start first)
- 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM: Recreational registration open
- 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM: Beginner clinics instruction (free)
- 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM: Starts are open for recreational courses
- 4:00 PM: Participants on recreational courses must have returned to the Finish
- Note: At on-site registration, all participants under age 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, or bring with them a waiver signed by their parent or legal guardian (the registration form is available here [12KB PDF]).
- Notes for recreational entries:
- You can register and start on the courses anytime during the open times above. Thus, for example, you do not need to be "punctual" when Registration opens. (You can if you want, but please don’t show up earlier and expect to be served.)
- Beginner clinics are 15–20 minute, repeating sessions that introduce the sport of orienteering, and provide enough instruction to be able to complete the Beginner (White) course.
- Beginners are given their White- or Yellow-course maps at registration. You should get your map before joining a beginner clinic.
- Note that everyone must return to the Finish by their time limit (which for NRE competitors depends on their start time), and then promptly go to the download tent, even if they have not completed their course. Please do not leave without checking in! If there are people not accounted for, we must initiate a search for them.
- After you finish, stick around and socialize with other participants! Beginners should use this opportunity to ask any questions they have.
Schedule for the Middle Event on Saturday, March 1
- 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM: NRE packet pickup open
- 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM: NRE Registration open
- 10:00 AM: Pre-assigned NRE starts begin (Team Trial participants will start first)
- 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM: Recreational registration open
- 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM: Beginner clinics instruction (free)
- 11:00 AM – 12:00: Starts are open for recreational courses
- 2:00 PM: Participants on recreational courses must have returned to the Finish
- Note: The comments above for the Friday event also apply on Saturday, except that participants on recreational courses must return to the Finish by 2:00 PM, and then promptly go to the download tent, even if they have not completed their course. (The "must finish" time for NRE competitors depends on their start time.) Please do not leave without checking in! If there are people not accounted for, we must initiate a search for them.
Schedule for the Classic Event on Sunday, March 2
-   8:30 AM – 10:30 AM: NRE packet pickup open
- 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM: NRE Registration open
- 9:30 AM: Pre-assigned NRE starts begin (Team Trial participants will start first)
- TBD PM: Western States Championships awards
- 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM: Recreational registration open
- 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM: Beginner clinics instruction (free)
- 10:30 AM – 11:30 PM: Starts are open for recreational courses
- 2:30 PM: Participants on recreational courses must have returned to the Finish
- Note: The comments above for the Friday event also apply on Sunday, except that participants on recreational courses must return to the Finish by 2:30 PM, and then promptly go to the download tent, even if they have not completed their course. (The "must finish" time for NRE competitors depends on their start time.) Please do not leave without checking in! If there are people not accounted for, we must initiate a search for them.
Costs and Registration
- Online registration (and payment) is available as described below.
- Online registration is highly recommended for most people, since each day will have only 1 hour of NRE registration and 1 hour of recreational registration.
Entry Fees for Competition Entries
Adult | Junior | ||||||
Early | 3-day package | $90 | $50 | Ends Jan. 26 | |||
1-day NRE | $40 | $20 | |||||
Regular | 3-day package | $120 | $55 | Ends Feb. 16 | |||
1-day NRE | $50 | $25 | |||||
On the day | 3-day package | $165 | $65 | At the event | |||
1-day NRE | $60 | $30 | |||||
- Notes:
- OUSA member discounts will apply: $4 per day for Adults, $2 per day for Juniors.
- Early pricing ends at 11:59 PM on January 26.
- Regular pricing starts January 27 and ends at 11:59 PM on February 16.
- Online registration will be closed from February 17 through the event.
- On the day pricing applies only at the events.
- Juniors are through age 20.
Entry Fees for Recreational Entries
Before Feb. 17 | Adult | $20 each | |
Junior | $10 each | ||
At the event | Adult | $25 each | |
Junior | $10 each | ||
- Notes:
- Only White and Yellow courses will be available.
- Juniors are ages 8 through 20. Youth under age 8 are free for recreational entries.
Fees for "Extras"
- $TBD for adults, $TBD for children under age 12, for the event dinner Saturday evening — see below (optional)
- $24 for an event T-shirt — see below (optional)
- $1 for a compass rental (optional)
- $5 for an electronic fingerstick rental (if you don't own one; you'll need one to complete the course)
- $15 for the lowest-cost individual one-year BAOC membership (optional)
- Notes:
- You can rent an E-punch finger stick online, and pick it up at the event.
- If you register online, you can rent a compass at the event.
- At the event, we can accept payment by cash, check, or credit/debit card (but no electronic payments — e.g., PayPal, Venmo).
Online Registration
You can register online here (https://eventreg.orienteeringusa.org/eventregister/a40/register/start/wschamps2025). If you register online:
- You must pay via PayPal (with credit card, debit card, or PayPal account—you do not need to have a PayPal account).
- You must complete the online waiver.
- You must pay online before online registration closes.
Online registration will close on Sunday, February 16th, at 11:59 PM (and will remain closed through the event).
- Notes:
- Online registration is strongly recommended. Not only is it less expensive, at the event there will be only limited registration available as shown in the daily schedules above.
- Online registration is available only to individuals, not to groups (i.e., sharing a single E-stick). Group members must register individually (or at the event).
- Compass rental cannot be arranged during online registration, but you can register online and rent a compass at the event.
- E-punch fingerstick rental can be arranged during online registration.
- You can see who is registered here (https://eventreg.orienteeringusa.org/eventregister/reglist/home/wschamps2025).
Assembly Areas
Assembly Area for the Sprint Event on Friday, February 28
The assembly area will be at the Main Post Parade Ground of the Presidio of San Francisco. The approximate coordinates are 37.7995,-122.4586.
Water and restrooms will be nearby, and snacks will be provided for after finishing the courses.
Assembly Area for the Events on Saturday & Sunday, March 1 & 2
The assembly area will be at a large parking lot at the entrance to Calero County Park. The entrance is off McKean Rd, 1.5 miles past the boat-launch area and 0.7 miles south of the intersection with Bailey Rd. The approximate coordinates are 37.1749,-121.7611.
Portable toilets will be nearby. Unfortunately, due to permit restrictions, BAOC cannot provide snacks or refreshments at the Calero Events. Please bring your own food and water. Emergency water will be available.
Event T-shirt
T-shirts will be available in unisex sizes S, M, L, XL, and 2XL. The shirt is "Classic Fit", pre-shrunk, 100% cotton.
An image of the T-shirt is at the right. (Click on the image for a larger one.)
Event Dinner
There might be an event dinner Saturday evening, March 1, at a restaurant "near" the event.
Details will be available later.
[Course Information Will Be Added]
Driving Directions
For the Sprint Event on Friday, February 28:
Note: Read the directions below carefully—signs might not be provided because of park restrictions.
Parking for the assembly area is located along the lawn of the Main Post Parade Ground. The approximate coordinates are 37.7995,-122.4586.
From the Bay Bridge: Take exit 1B to merge onto US-101 N/Central Fwy toward Golden Gate Bridge. Continued on Central Fwy. Turn right onto Market St. Use the left two lanes to turn slightly left toward Franklin St. Turn left onto Pine St. Turn right onto Presidio Ave, which becomes Presidio Blvd when you enter the park, and later becomes Lincoln Blvd. Continue on Lincoln Boulevard at the traffic circle with Girard Road. Turn left onto Anza Avenue and drive south to the south end of the parking lot at the Main Post Parade Ground. The assembly area is nearby. Park there and be sure to purchase a parking sticker from a machine.
From the South: On I-280, use any of the three left lanes to take exit (#49B) for CA-1 N toward 19th Avenue/Golden Gate Bridge. At the first traffic light, use any of the three left lanes to turn slightly left onto 19th Ave. Stay on 19th Ave through Golden Gate Park, beyond, and through the Presidio. Keep right and follow signs for US-101 S/Marina Blvd S, and merge onto US-101. Take the exit (#437) for Marina Blvd toward the Presidio. Turn right onto Girard Rd, then turn right onto Lincoln Blvd. Turn left onto Anza Avenue and drive south to the south end of the parking lot at the Main Post Parade Ground. The assembly area is nearby. Park there and be sure to purchase a parking sticker from a machine.
From the North: After crossing the Golden Gate Bridge, stay left to continue on US-101 (i.e., do not exit to Veterans Blvd). Take the exit (#437) for Marina Blvd toward the Presidio. Turn right onto Girard Rd, then turn right onto Lincoln Blvd. Turn left onto Anza Avenue and drive south to the south end of the parking lot at the Main Post Parade Ground. The assembly area is nearby. Park there and be sure to purchase a parking sticker from a machine.
Parking
You must pay for parking. Parking in the Main Post lots is $2.50 per hour or $12.50 for all day, and is enforced seven days per week. The parking machines accept credit and debit cards, and possibly coins. Be sure to display the parking permit on your dashboard. You might be able to pay by entering your license plate number into the PayByPhone app or website, or the on-site physical parking meters, in which case you will not need to display the parking permit. (The parking charge varies by location in the park. More information is here (http://www.presidio.gov/transportation/driving-and-parking).)
Public Transit
Information about public transportation options is available at the park website (https://www.presidio.gov)—notably, the PresidiGo shuttle is a free bus service from downtown San Francisco that runs every 30–60 minutes, and terminates convenient to the event center.
For the Middle Event on Saturday, March 1, and the Classic Event on Sunday, March 2:
The event assembly area is at the usual McKean Entrance picnic area in Calero County Park (i.e., not at the boat ramp). Because everyone uses GPS for driving directions these days, we will only have one orange/white orienteering directional sign at the junction of McKean Road and the park entrance, about a half mile SE of the Bailey Road junction and about 1.3 miles SE of the Calero Reservoir Boat Launch. For GPS navigation, the address is 23205 McKean Road, San Jose. (The approximate coordinates are 37.1749,-121.7611.)
From the Peninsula and North: Take Highway 101 or I-280 south to Highway 85, then take Highway 85 south to Almaden Expressway. Head south 5 miles to the end of the road. Turn right onto Harry, and then immediately left onto McKean. The main park entrance is 5 miles south on McKean. Go about 1.3 miles past the boat ramp, and turn in at the entrance (on your right) marked "Calero County Park; Park Office; Equestrian Center; All Trailheads".
From the East Bay: Take I-680 or I-880 south to Highway 101 in San Jose, then take Highway 101 south beyond Highway 85, and exit at Bailey Ave. After 3.2 miles west, Bailey ends at McKean. Turn left and go south 0.7 miles to the park entrance on your right.
Parking
There's a large parking lot next to registration.
Please do not park in the back of the lot—i.e., the part farthest from the road. Horse trailers park there, and we need to give them plenty of room to maneuver.