At REI, we love to get outside and play, and we know first-hand the importance of quality outdoor experiences. Whether you’re new to outdoor adventure or a seasoned pro, we gladly share our enthusiasm for our products—and the trails, slopes and waterways where we play.
Each year, REI donates millions of dollars to support conservation efforts nationwide, and sends scores of volunteers to build trails, clean up beaches, and teach outdoor ethics to kids. Through responsible business practices, we strive to reduce our environmental footprint. What began as a group of 23 mountain climbing buddies is now the nation’s largest consumer cooperative with more than 3.4 million members. But no matter how large we grow, our roots remain firmly planted in the outdoors.
We work hard to earn our reputation for quality and integrity every day. Our commitment remains the same as when we started out in 1938: to inspire, educate and outfit for a lifetime of outdoor adventure.
The REI Outdoor School San Francisco Bay Area strives to uphold the REI mission by leading outdoor programs in the greater San Francisco Bay Area. We teach in-store classes as well as lead field outings for REI customers out of the ten greater bay area stores: Saratoga, Berkeley, Fremont, San Francisco, Mountain View, Corte Madera, San Carlos, Santa Rosa, Concord, and Marina.
Class topics and outing activities will include: Rock Climbing, Sea Kayaking, Mountain Biking, Road Cycling, Hiking, Natural History, Outdoor Photography as well asNavigation Outings for both Map & Compass, GPS, and Geocaching.
Learn a new activity or brush up your skills.
Take the guesswork out of learning a new hobby. Our experienced guides will teach you the basics of the activity of your choice. Intended for all skill levels, our classes and outings are great opportunities to increase knowledge and build confidence before setting out on your own.
Learn from our instructors.
Virtual bottomless pits of knowledge, our experienced instructors are well-versed in their activity of choice. They are committed to sharing their knowledge with you while managing a safe, enjoyable experience for every participant.
We de-hassle the details.
We try to keep this as simple as possible: You bring your necessary personal items, and we bring nearly everything else. Except where noted, we provide all transportation, park fees, area maps, first-aid kits and even major equipment like bikes and GPS units.
How to participate
Find a class or outing that interests you and sign up by coming in to or calling a participating REI store. While you can sign up for a class up until the start time classes can fill up, we recommend that you pre-register.
REI stands behind our products and courses with a 100% satisfaction guarantee.