BAOC returns to cozy Bayfront Park in Menlo Park on Sunday, August 19. Mostly open, with modest hills and numerous trails, Bayfront is a great place for beginners, while still providing an adventure for the experienced orienteer. It's one of the most easily accessed parks for those living in the central Bay Area.
Bayfront features great views from modest hilltops, an extensive trail network, and numerous rock sculptures. It's also adjacent to a major salt-ponds reclamation project.
The highly detailed map is at 1:5000 scale, with 10-foot contours. There are numerous "catching features" to minimize the potential for going seriously astray.
There will be White and Yellow courses for first-timers and beginners. In addition, there will be a Motala, which will allow intermediate/advanced participants to do 1–3 loops, deciding after each loop whether to keep going for another round. We hope to have some twist to the Motala, as has become traditional for Bayfront, such as removing trails from the map for a loop, or blanking out areas between controls.
Here are the course statistics. See the Course Setter's Notes for more information.
Course Length (km) Climb (m)
White 2.3 25
Yellow 2.7 45
Motala A – Loop 1 2.7 45
Motala B – Loop 2 2.7 50
Motala C – Loop 3 2.3 60
Be sure to wear a hat, and wear sunscreen! Bayfront is mostly open, sunny, and hot. The park has a real restroom, but no picnic tables or benches. We will have water on all the courses, as well as at the Start and Finish.
Registration will open at 9:00 A.M., and starts will run from 10:00 A.M. until 12:30 P.M. We will offer short beginners clinics throughout the morning.
Please check back here later for additional details.
Questions? E-mail or call (650)281-5280 in the evening.
Driving Directions
NOTE: Parking is not permitted on the outbound side of the entrance road. Please observe that restriction in order to continue our good relationship with the park administration.
From the Peninsula, North, and South, take Highway 101 to the Marsh Road East exit. Stay to the left so you can drive straight ahead into the park at the traffic signal where Marsh turns right into Bayfront Expressway.
From the East Bay, cross the Dumbarton Bridge. Go to the fifth traffic light after the bridge and turn right into the park.