San Francisco Bay Area Hikes

Mountain biking Photo by Paul Green on Unsplash

Since 2018, Ramiz Bajwa has served as manager of Poke Bar in San Francisco, where he oversees ordering, hiring, scheduling, payroll, and more. In his free time, Ramiz Bajwa enjoys hiking and camping.

With year-round temperate weather and numerous hills, San Francisco and the Bay Area offer ample opportunities for avid hikers.

In San Francisco itself, the 1.5-mile Mount Davidson Trail loop takes hikers to the highest point in the city, affording excellent views. The top is home to the historical Mount Davidson Cross, which is the setting for an annual Easter sunrise service. Angel Island State Park also offers a trek within city limits, where hikers get a great view of the San Francisco skyline on their five-mile loop.

Golden Gate National Recreational Area is another popular hiking area. The park covers both the Marin and San Francisco sides of the famous Golden Gate Bridge, and offers numerous hiking opportunities for all ability levels. The Golden Gate Promenade is paved and relatively easy, with stunning waterfront views. For a challenge, hikers should try the 1.2-mile Ocean View Trail through Muir Woods National Monument, which goes through old-growth redwoods.

California’s Good Samaritan Food Donation Act

Established food service manager Ramiz Bajwa oversaw operations for the Indian restaurant Chutney before starting his career as an owner/operator of a Poke Bar franchise. Over the course of his decade in the restaurant industry, Ramiz Bajwa has been active in the food recovery process of donating leftover food to homeless shelters.

Despite the passing of a federal law protecting food establishments from liability more than two decades ago, many restaurant managers and staff still cite potential legal problems as a reason not to donate leftover food. Restaurants produce more than 7 million tons of food waste every year. Meanwhile, more than 10 percent of Californians face food insecurity.

To ensure that all California restaurants have clear guidelines for food donation, former Governor Jerry Brown signed the 2017 Good Samaritan Food Donation Act into law. In addition to extending protection for good faith food donations, the act authorizes health and safety officers to advise restaurant owners on food recovery laws during routine inspections.

Tips For Staying Dry When Camping in the Rain

Ramiz Bajwa is a San Francisco Bay Area entrepreneur who owns and operates a popular poke bar. A sports enthusiast, Ramiz Bajwa enjoys activities such as basketball and tennis in his free time, as well as camping.

One of the variables that most campers encounter during extended excursions is rain. Staying dry starts with selecting campsites with at least a little elevation and the absence of any troughs or channels that would direct rainwater toward the tent. Also keep the tent clear of trees that will continue to drip water long after the rain has stopped.

Another aspect of staying dry to be aware of is the ground, which can get wet and cold, with moisture seeping into the tent. Consider doubling up on the sleeping pads when expecting rain and wrapping up in a bivy bag. A bivy bag will add another layer of insulation to the sleeping bag, as well as keep it dry should water enter the tent.

While down is warm and comfortable, it can attract moisture in wet conditions and be challenging to dry. For this reason, synthetic sleeping bags should be considered when significant rain is expected or staying dry is the priority. Also remember to avoid breathing directly into the bag when inside it, as this adds moisture and impacts performance.