According to the American Psychological Association’s yearly Stress in America survey this summer, politics ranked as the top stress factor for 7 out of 10 adults across political affiliations.
If you’re experiencing anxiety around about the election, experts advise unplugging from the news as much as you can, exercising and getting enough sleep.
Another great way to help with election anxiety this weekend? Get outside and hike one of the Bay Area’s many beautiful trails. And if you’re having trouble choosing a particular trail, keep reading for 12 Bay Area hikes to help you feel less overwhelmed as Election Day approaches, as recommended by local outdoor experts and enthusiasts, as well as KQED staff.
Recommended by: Xiomara Batin, Community Engagement and Marketing Manager at GirlVentures, a nonprofit based in Oakland that focuses on outdoor education for girls and gender-expansive youth
One of Batin’s favorite things about this protected area of the East Bay Regional Park System is that she can “get a wonderful workout along with stunning views of the Bay Area.”
She said she also feels safe on this trail as a solo female hiker: “I have space to be alone and consistently see people on the trail, so I feel very comfortable.”
Recommended by: José González, the founder of Latino Outdoors, which aims to inspire, connect and engage Latino communities in nature
González recommends this 2.3-mile out-and-back trail in Oakland because of its “dynamic diversity of habitats in such a short hike.”. The trail starts in an urban neighborhood, “but that disappears pretty quickly, and you are immediately immersed in nature,” he said.
“The view up at the top is fantastic, and such a classic ridgeline view of the Bay Area.”
Recommended by: Deandre Latour, the founder of Melanated Adventures, which aims to create a safe space for Black people and people of color looking for a hiking community in the Bay Area.
This short in-and-out hike with a cliffside bunker “traverses through a valley that opens up into a beach,” said Latour.
“The bunker makes for a great place to escape if it’s a windy day,” he said — and “the beach makes for a great place to decompress and calm oneself with the continuous sounds of the waves.”
Recommended by: Preethi Chandrasekhar, content creator and founder of Outdoorsy South Asians.
Chandrasekhar chose this coastal hike because it’s “so soothing and beautiful.”. Being out in nature helps her stay calm and mitigate emotions like anxiety, she said.
“Such emotions tend to arise during times like elections,” said Chandrasekhar, “and a great way to help with that is to get outside, and there’s nothing like the sight and sounds of the ocean to help us relax.”
Recommended by: Syren Nagakyrie, founder and director of Disabled Hikers, a disabled-led organization celebrating people’s experience in the outdoors while advocating for justice, access and inclusion in the outdoors
This 0.5-mile trail to the beach is generally flat, with compacted gravel, said Nagakyrie, and “once you get on the beach, you feel like you are in a secluded cove.”
“The beach is my favorite place to unwind; smelling the salt air, listening to the waves, or gazing out at the horizon always helps me relax,” they said.
Recommended by: Olivia Allen-Price, host of KQED’s award-winning Bay Curious podcast
Allen-Price recommends this accessible coastal trail as being suitable for the fall, when “the risk of fog is lower than in the spring and summer,” she said. “So your chances of seeing those big ocean views are much higher.”
“As someone who hikes often with little kids and grandparents, I love how accessible this trail is,” said Allen-Price. “When I’m feeling anxious or overwhelmed, I like to step back and try to see things from a bigger perspective.”
“In the context of time — millennia! — and space — infinite! — whatever human problems ail us seem a little bit smaller.”
Recommended by Ezra David Romero, KQED’s climate reporter
Romero recommends a more urban trail beginning at Harry Street Stairs in San Francisco. (Here’s a map of the 2.8-mile path.)
“From Harry Street Stairs, you walk to the Colleen Way stairs and then into Glen Canyon for a hike of your choosing!” he said. “I like to walk through Glen Canyon and then pop out at the Safeway in Diamond Heights and walk back to my car.”
Recommended by: Bianca Taylor, KQED News producer and host of The Latest podcast
Taylor recommends this trail in San Francisco this time of year because it’s typically less foggy on the coast. Throughout the entire walk, “you’re treated to panoramic views of the Bay: you can see the Marin headlands, Point Bonita lighthouse, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the SF skyline,” she said
“It’s a reminder to me of why I love living in this city. It’s a really nice detox from sitting at a desk and reading the news.”
Venton said she plans to climb Mt. Wittenberg from Bear Valley trailhead, “taking the ridge to the ocean and walking back through Divide Meadow in Point Reyes,” to take the edge off her own Election Day stress.
“This is a fairly long, challenging hike, passing through a variety of vegetation types: bay trees, conifers, areas burned with wildfire now growing back and coastal prairie,” she said.
“It’s perfect for quieting your mind and being absorbed in your surroundings and the work your body is doing. Plus, you get beautiful views of the Pt. Reyes peninsula.”
Recommended by: me, Sarah Mohamad, science engagement producer/reporter
This 6-mile out-and-back hike that begins at the Stanford staging parking lot is my go-to hike and is a favorite of mine in the fall and winter because of the cooler, less daunting weather. The trail is mostly uphill, with about a 2,000-foot elevation gain before the summit.
Once you get to the peak, take your victory photo with the infamous pole — known to some as the “Peeker Pole” — which is located at about 200 feet from Mission Peak’s 2,500-foot summit.
Parking is limited, but there’s plenty of street parking about 5 minutes down the road.
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