Men's Journal

People mill around between sets at San Francisco's Outside Lands Festival. Photo credit: staxnet's Flickr account

With summer winding down, dive into as much adventure as possible this weekend. You could start with a hike and a huge music festival in the bay area, a bike race in Colorado, or surfing and sun on Waikiki.

By Steven Kurtz and Nate Storey

Outside Lands Music & Arts Festival, August 28-30
San Francisco, California

This weekend, take a trip to the San Francisco Bay Area for the Outside Lands Music & Arts Festival. Taking place in beautiful Golden Gate Park, Outside Lands will feature high profile artists such as the Dave Matthews Band, Pearl Jam, and Tenacious D, as well as many others. While at the festival, check out the Winehaven tent, where a mix of 25 local winemakers will provide commentary and tasting on 75 different wines.

If the crowds of the festival become too much, there are plenty of other activities in the Bay Area to quench your thirst for adventure. Walk to the western edge of Golden Gate Park and step out onto Ocean Beach for some surfing and swimming. Although the surf is fairly inconsistent compared to Linda Mar or Half Moon Bay, on a good day the waves are perfect and less crowded than beaches to the South. Alternatively, head north and take a hike in Mt. Tamalpais State Park. The redwood trees may not be as large as they are in neighboring Muir Woods, but you will avoid the major crowds that Muir brings in. Hike the 3.9 mile long Dipsea and Steep Ravine Trail for exceptional views of the Bay Area and the Pacific Ocean.

Travel and Accommodation
There are several hotels in the San Francisco area that are offering 25% room discounts for festival goers. There is no camping allowed at the festival, but camping is available at Mt. Tamalpais State Park, as long as you call ahead and make a reservation.

Fort Collins Cycling Festival, August 28-29
Fort Collins, Colorado

Grab your cruiser and head to mountains for the Fort Collins Cycling Festival in Colorado this weekend. Things kick off on Friday with the Oskar Blues Cruise where riders will break out old school rides and peddle through Old Town district. Sip an Oskar Blues microbrew like Mama’s Little Yella Pils or Ten Fidy while you enjoy the bluegrass concert to follow. Go easy on the brews though, if you plan to whip your pedals up to the top of Rist Canyon in the grueling 26-mile ACA Rist Canyon Hill Climb Race ($60). Spend the rest of your time in some of the nation’s most beautiful mountains, hiking the trails in Rocky Mountain National Park to Bridal Veil Falls. No fee is required to trek along the 6-mile trail to the tumbling waterfall.

Travel and Accommodation
Fly into Denver and take the Super Shuttle ($32) to Fort Collins, which is an hour-and-a-half away. Hilton is offering a $27.25 per person, per night special for the festival that includes breakfast and transportation to the festival.

Duke’s Ocean Fest, August 23-29
Waikiki, Hawaii

If you’re not ready to say goodbye to summer yet, the Aloha state and the Duke’s Ocean Fest are your best bet for one last beach getaway. Commemorating one of the most heralded surfers of all time, Duke Kahanamoku, the week long celebration will kick into high gear this weekend. Check out the pros hanging ten in the Toes to the Nose Longboard Classic or the unbelievable tandem surf contest where riders pick up their partners gymnastics style while cruising waves. If you’re ready for some sand action don’t skip out on the US Open of Beach Volleyball men’s qualifying event at Kuhio Beach where 16 teams will battle it out. Make sure to visit the Halona Blowhole, formed thousands of years ago by molten lava tubes. When the surf is big the water blasts even higher than the usual 30 feet.

Travel and Accommodation
Fly into Honolulu on Oahu and stay at one of the countless hotels along Waikiki Beach. The Shereton Princess Ka’iulani has rates starting at $109 a night.

Print this article