Segment of 2025 Northstar map (click on it to enlarge)
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.
Upcoming BAOC Events
- Mar. 29 (Sun.) -
Calero County Park
B; Standard 8-course event for beginners through advanced orienteers; beginners and non-members are welcome; free beginner instruction will be available
- Apr. 12 (Sun.) -
Joseph D. Grant County Park
B; Standard 7-course event for beginners through advanced orienteers; beginners and non-members are welcome; free beginner instruction will be available; the BAOC 2026 AGM will be held at this event (pending park approval)
- Apr. 12 (Sun.) -
BAOC Annual General Meeting - Joseph D. Grant County Park
Annual membership meeting and election of officers
Other Future BAOC Events
- Apr. 26 (Sun.) -
Huddart Park - CANCELED
This event has been canceled, please check its page for details.
- Apr. 26 (Sun.) -
Pacheco State Park
B; Replacement for the canceled Huddart Park event; this event is for beginners through advanced orienteers; beginners and non-members are welcome; free beginner instruction will be available (pending park approval)
- May. 17 (Sun.) -
Joaquin Miller Park
C; Event for beginners through advanced; beginners and non-members are welcome; free beginner instruction will be available (pending park approval)
Recent BAOC Results
- Mar. 8 -
Morgan Territory Regional Preserve
B; CONFIRMED EVENT — Standard 7-course event for beginners through advanced orienteers; beginners and non-members are welcome; free beginner instruction will be available
- Feb. 28 -
Lake Herman Recreation Area
B; Event for beginners through advanced; beginners and non-members are welcome; free beginner instruction will be available
- Feb. 12 -
BAOC Board Meeting - Video Conference
Meeting of the Board of Directors; 7:30 PM; all club members are welcome
- Feb. 8 -
Point Pinole Regional Shoreline
C; Event for beginners through advanced; beginners and non-members are welcome; free beginner instruction will be available
- Jan. 25 -
Coyote Lake–Harvey Bear Ranch County Park
B; At the Coyote Lake side of the park: Standard 7-course event for beginners through advanced orienteers; beginners and non-members are welcome; free beginner instruction will be available
- Jan. 11 -
Bedwell Bayfront Park
C; A chance to see one of our popular parks in a different (cooler) season; beginners and non-members are welcome, with free beginner instruction available; kickoff event for the 2026 BAOC Youth Program; presentation of the 2025 BAOC Service Award
- Dec. 20 -
Willow Glen Holiday Lights "Light-O" & Potluck Social - Willow Glen Neighborhood
C; Evening Score-O course to enjoy the neighborhood holiday lights, followed by a potluck social
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 (https://www.navxchallenge.com) – Organizes map-trekking events in Northern California
- terraloco (https://go-terraloco.blogspot.com) – Organizes urban and wilderness map adventures
- Truckee Orienteering Club (https://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 Performance Grant Program (2/17/26)
- 2025 BAOC Service Award Recipient (1/13/26)
- Scam Email From BAOC Officers (10/3/25)
- Tentative 2026 Event Calendar (9/7/25)
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.