What is Orienteering?

Events

Maps

About Us

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:

• 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.

Current and Upcoming Events

• Dec. 16 (Sat.) - 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 & awarding of the 2023 BAOC Service Award

Other Significant Upcoming Events

There are no upcoming events within the next 35 days.

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

• Dec. 2 - Bon Tempe Reservoir
  C; ONLY ON SATURDAY this time; as in the past, participation is limited to only club members who have volunteered this year; PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED; NO BEGINNER OR INTERMEDIATE COURSES
• Nov. 19 - Camp Tamarancho - CANCELED
  This event has been canceled, please check its page for details.
• Nov. 5 - Deer Creek Hills NRE - Deer Creek Hills Preserve
  A; Standard 7-course event—Beginner to Advanced courses at a great venue; 1-day NRE with reduced entry fees; enter online or at the event—online pre-registration is requested for NRE participants (see event webpage!); using E-punch (Not a BAOC event)
• Jul. 19 - Morgan Territory Regional Preserve
  A; All are welcome, including beginners; NRE Long-distance forest event; California Orienteering Festival, Stage 3; Western States Orienteering Championships, Day 3
• Jul. 18 - Golden Gate Park
  A; All are welcome, including beginners; NRE Middle-distance event in urban park; California Orienteering Festival, Stage 2; Western States Orienteering Championships, Day 2
• Jul. 17 - 30 - California Orienteering Festival; San Francisco Bay Area & Lake Tahoe Area -
  A; All are welcome, including beginners. Many days of activities including multiple NRE events, Western States O’ Championships, North American O’ Championships (NAOC), and World Rogaining Championships (WRC) — see Schedule entries for individual event
• Jul. 17 - Presidio of San Francisco
  A; All are welcome, including beginners; NRE Sprint event in an urban park; California Orienteering Festival, Stage 1; Western States Orienteering Championships, Day 1

2023 Summer Series

As in past years, there was a Summer Series of six events this year. A description of the series, which started May 28^th and ended August 27^th, is here. The sixth and final event was at Bedwell Bayfront Park on August 26^th. The final results are here.