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 beginners' 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.
What About COVID-19?
BAOC events follow the COVID-19 rules laid down by the Federal Government, the State of California, the County in which the event is being held, and the competition area landowners—whichever is more stringent. Please follow event guidelines to help us protect participants from exposure to COVID-19.
News and Notes
Various "news" items are posted on this page. Recent items:
- 2022 BAOC Service Award Nominations Are Open (11/4/22)
- Input Needed for 2023 BAOC Budget (10/19/22)
- Eagle Scout Seeks Advice on Building a Permanent-O Course (9/13/22)
- Use AmazonSmile and support BAOC! (12/11/20)
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.
Current and Upcoming Events
- Dec. 4 (Sun.) -
Spring Lake Regional Park
C; Beginner and intermediate/advanced courses. This park is suitable for first-timers.
- Dec. 17 (Sat.) -
Willow Glen Holiday Lights - Willow Glen Neighborhood
C; Evening Score-O course to enjoy the neighborhood holiday lights, followed by a socially-distanced potluck social (pending park approval)
Other Significant Upcoming Events
- Jul. 17 - 30, 2023 -
California Orienteering Festival; San Francisco Bay Area & Lake Tahoe Area -
A; Many days of activities including multiple NRE events, the Western States Orienteering Championships, the North American Championships (NAOC), and the World Rogaining Championships (WRC) (entry will open in fall 2022; deadlines: 1/15, 3/1, 6/15) (pending park approval)
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
Recent Results
- Oct. 30 -
Tilden Regional Park
B; Five-course event for beginner, intermediate, and advanced orienteers; this event will be particularly good for beginners