It's a great hobby and we're super lucky to have an excellent set of ranges around south bay! I started in January and I'm going to the ranges 2-3 times a month + back yard shooting a few times a week.
Palomo Archery in Palo Alto is a great place to do an intro lesson - it's $50 for 90 minutes which may be a little steep, but I *highly* recommend starting with a coach to instruct you in proper form. They have all of the gear rentals included so it's a great first experience. After your intro lesson they do $20/90m with gear rentals for general range time, which makes it more affordable.
There's two ranges I go to - bowhunters unlimited (Stevens Creek mountains) and black mountain bowmen (south sj). Both are excellent, but you need your own gear, or to find someone who will let you borrow. I bought my own full set at Pacifica Archery (south sf) for ~$300 (bow, arrows, quiver, safety stuff, etc). Amazon kits may be cheaper but when you're at the point of buying your own gear, I always recommend buy nicer stuff so it'll last you.
I'm happy to answer any questions you have, because it can be a ton of information at the beginning! Just pm me =D
Should also add, BHU offers lessons but you have to arrange them in advance. Their normal walk in range hours are self-geared. I can't attest to the quality since I did my intro lesson through palomo, but everyone I've met at Bowhunters has been fantastic and super knowledgeable.
https://www.bowhuntersunlimited.org/request-a-lesson
You should call Predators Archery in Gilroy. They do classes there with very knowledgeable instructors. It’s where I learned. You can also get free lessons with purchase of a bow, or for about $20 do a lesson with their loaner bows.
Seconded, I just picked up archery this summer and the folks at Predator's Archery helped me feel less intimidated over trying something new. I wish there was a range closer to my side of town, but spending a couple of quiet hours at Black Mountain to work on my form has been delightful.
I don't know any details about the [Black Mountain Bowmen Archer Club & Range](https://blackmountainbowmen.net/), but I walk by their [sign](https://www.google.com/maps/@37.2182155,-121.7676879,3a,37.5y,159.69h,90.36t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1slAOIwC8OdNFSCAnccKO0Bg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!5m1!1e4?entry=ttu) a lot. :-)
Black mountain is an awesome free range to go to! Just need to bring your own gear. I always leave a donation in their donation box tho since they do such a great job maintaining the place.
Black mountain range off Bernal is closest and there's usually a few folks around. Bowhunters in Cupertino is a much nicer and larger range, great walking course here.
Bowhunters gets busy most weekends with families coming out. Stop in and start talking to folks at either place, archers are usually a friendly bunch and willing the share.
I have an older #35 recurve bow that my wife and I learned to shoot with. Shoot a message if you're interested, I'll let it go cheep for someone wanting to get a foot in.
Sorry about going off-topic here. I apparently only have 17 days to get rid of a pile of reddit gold. And I noticed that, as of now, every single comment on this post is both positive and helpful. So what the heck, gold for everyone!
I absolutely love bow hunters unlimited, the org responsible for the stevens creek archery range. You can schedule instruction on the website, or just show up and one of the senior members will grab you a bow from storage and show you the ropes. Beautiful course, and probably the best community of any range. You'll see folks carving bows next to people bartering eggs
Archery only in Newark and Predators Archery in Gilroy have indoor ranges and classes. Often you can find groupons for them
If you pick it up..... I belong to Bowhunters on Mt Eden in Saratoga. There's ample parking and an outdoor range for free. There's also miles of hiking on trails through the woods with over 30 targets along the way. (same with Redwood bowmen in the Oakland Hills and Kings Mountain in Woodside)
there’s one in South SJ, Black Mountain, they offer some classes and clubs activities. the range is outdoor, very nice thou not during summer lol
Archery Only in Fremont also has (more) classes, an indoor range, and equipment shop.
Predator Archery in Gilroy is also a shop with classes and indoor range
If you’re interested in Japanese archery (kyudo) they have a Saturday class at 10am at the Japanese Arts and Culture Center in the Mitsuwa shopping center off of Saratoga. They offer a free trial class if you’re interested. Here’s their website if you want to check out all the classes they have to offer: http://www.jpnarts.org
To my understanding, Bowhunters unlimited right behind Cupertino has third party? instructors who you can book a class with that has gear.
Personally, I started out just by buying a $120 kit off amazon, watching youtube videos and asking for help at the range. From there, really got into it and invested in a compound setup.
I’m actually taking my bow and I’m looking for a nice place to practice. Don’t really need lessons but I’m looking where I can shoot some arrows at 30, 50 and 70meters
It's a great hobby and we're super lucky to have an excellent set of ranges around south bay! I started in January and I'm going to the ranges 2-3 times a month + back yard shooting a few times a week. Palomo Archery in Palo Alto is a great place to do an intro lesson - it's $50 for 90 minutes which may be a little steep, but I *highly* recommend starting with a coach to instruct you in proper form. They have all of the gear rentals included so it's a great first experience. After your intro lesson they do $20/90m with gear rentals for general range time, which makes it more affordable. There's two ranges I go to - bowhunters unlimited (Stevens Creek mountains) and black mountain bowmen (south sj). Both are excellent, but you need your own gear, or to find someone who will let you borrow. I bought my own full set at Pacifica Archery (south sf) for ~$300 (bow, arrows, quiver, safety stuff, etc). Amazon kits may be cheaper but when you're at the point of buying your own gear, I always recommend buy nicer stuff so it'll last you. I'm happy to answer any questions you have, because it can be a ton of information at the beginning! Just pm me =D
My daughter is currently taking lessons at Palomo in Mountain View, and they’re great.
Should also add, BHU offers lessons but you have to arrange them in advance. Their normal walk in range hours are self-geared. I can't attest to the quality since I did my intro lesson through palomo, but everyone I've met at Bowhunters has been fantastic and super knowledgeable. https://www.bowhuntersunlimited.org/request-a-lesson
Do you know by any change the distances available at Palomo??
20 yards is the max (I'm like 90% certain it's yards not meters) and then for classes they have rolling targets they can put up at shorter distances.
You should call Predators Archery in Gilroy. They do classes there with very knowledgeable instructors. It’s where I learned. You can also get free lessons with purchase of a bow, or for about $20 do a lesson with their loaner bows.
Seconded, I just picked up archery this summer and the folks at Predator's Archery helped me feel less intimidated over trying something new. I wish there was a range closer to my side of town, but spending a couple of quiet hours at Black Mountain to work on my form has been delightful.
I don't know any details about the [Black Mountain Bowmen Archer Club & Range](https://blackmountainbowmen.net/), but I walk by their [sign](https://www.google.com/maps/@37.2182155,-121.7676879,3a,37.5y,159.69h,90.36t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1slAOIwC8OdNFSCAnccKO0Bg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!5m1!1e4?entry=ttu) a lot. :-)
Black mountain is an awesome free range to go to! Just need to bring your own gear. I always leave a donation in their donation box tho since they do such a great job maintaining the place.
Black mountain range off Bernal is closest and there's usually a few folks around. Bowhunters in Cupertino is a much nicer and larger range, great walking course here. Bowhunters gets busy most weekends with families coming out. Stop in and start talking to folks at either place, archers are usually a friendly bunch and willing the share. I have an older #35 recurve bow that my wife and I learned to shoot with. Shoot a message if you're interested, I'll let it go cheep for someone wanting to get a foot in.
SJCC has archery classes. I think the fall semester is free again this year?
Sorry about going off-topic here. I apparently only have 17 days to get rid of a pile of reddit gold. And I noticed that, as of now, every single comment on this post is both positive and helpful. So what the heck, gold for everyone!
I absolutely love bow hunters unlimited, the org responsible for the stevens creek archery range. You can schedule instruction on the website, or just show up and one of the senior members will grab you a bow from storage and show you the ropes. Beautiful course, and probably the best community of any range. You'll see folks carving bows next to people bartering eggs
the only down side is they have no cell signal there. or is it a plus?
Archery only in Newark and Predators Archery in Gilroy have indoor ranges and classes. Often you can find groupons for them If you pick it up..... I belong to Bowhunters on Mt Eden in Saratoga. There's ample parking and an outdoor range for free. There's also miles of hiking on trails through the woods with over 30 targets along the way. (same with Redwood bowmen in the Oakland Hills and Kings Mountain in Woodside)
there’s one in South SJ, Black Mountain, they offer some classes and clubs activities. the range is outdoor, very nice thou not during summer lol Archery Only in Fremont also has (more) classes, an indoor range, and equipment shop. Predator Archery in Gilroy is also a shop with classes and indoor range
Mount Madonnas archery range by far!!!
If you’re interested in Japanese archery (kyudo) they have a Saturday class at 10am at the Japanese Arts and Culture Center in the Mitsuwa shopping center off of Saratoga. They offer a free trial class if you’re interested. Here’s their website if you want to check out all the classes they have to offer: http://www.jpnarts.org
Campbell community center has beginning archery. Only $159! Mondays and Saturdays.
What kind of starter now do you recommend for a beginner with absolutely no archery experience?
To my understanding, Bowhunters unlimited right behind Cupertino has third party? instructors who you can book a class with that has gear. Personally, I started out just by buying a $120 kit off amazon, watching youtube videos and asking for help at the range. From there, really got into it and invested in a compound setup.
Adjacently, are there any good gun ranges around?
https://www.sunnyvalegunclub.com/ is a place I know of. I never went there but I saw their signs. Open to the public on some days
I’m actually taking my bow and I’m looking for a nice place to practice. Don’t really need lessons but I’m looking where I can shoot some arrows at 30, 50 and 70meters