Beaches & Hikes for the Weekend

After all that turkey, pie, and political discussion, it’s time to take a break outside. We have just the ticket—from a dog-friendly beach in Marin to a hidden bench overlooking the San Mateo Coast, be thankful for the great outdoors.

Week: 11.28.2019
Regions: Northern CA

Sands of Time

Relax at San Gregorio State Beach Near Half Moon Bay

Those who want a fresh perspective and a quiet place to contemplate New Year’s goals should get an early start and head south of Half Moon Bay to San Gregorio State Beach. The wide beach has a large cave to explore and more than a mile of nice walking.
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San Francisco's Middle Earth

Hiking San Francisco's Mount Sutro

Hiker in the forest at Mount Sutro in San Francisco
No need to travel to New Zealand to visit Middle Earth. San Francisco’s Mount Sutro Open Space is practically Hobbiton—a hidden “shire” in the middle of the city. Okay, maybe not quite as magical, but still an incredible place to take a hike in city limits.
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Sibley Sensations

Hike Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve

Make your way to Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve in the Oakland Hills for a 3.5-mile (round-trip) hike alongside the East Bay’s 10-million-year-old volcano.
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Sweeping Beauty

Hike to a Bench Overlooking the Pacific on the San Mateo Coast

If you like edgy, windswept, impossibly romantic coastal vistas, then do the short hike on Wilbur’s Watch Trail near Pescadero. The goal: Find the lone bench at the end of the continent.
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Dillon Darling

Relax at Dillon Beach in Marin

dillon beach in marin
Often overlooked, Dillon Beach in Marin can be magical in fall when the mist lifts to reveal a 1-mile swath of wide and sandy terrain backed by dunes and dotted with picnic tables.
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Trending Stories NorCal

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  1. Perles Beach Angel Island San Francisco Bay

    Secret Beach

    A hidden beach and a killer view? Those are hard to come by, but that’s exactly what you’ll get at Perles Beach on Angel Island. Bike or hike to this beautiful pocket cove.

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  2. Peak at the Flowers

    Terrific views and vibrant hues define this 4.8-mile out-and-back journey on Mount Diablo.

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  3. Hike Pescadero Marsh Natural Preserve

    Mellow in the Marsh

    Beach, birds, ice plant popping purple flowers: That’s a hiking slam dunk! Hike about 2 miles at Pescadero Marsh Natural Preserve using their easy to navigate (well-signed) Sequoia Audubon Trail.

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  4. A man is looking through his binoculars at sunrise at the Bayland Nature Preserve in Palo Alto

    Baylands Bird & Art Loop

    Combine an outdoor art walk and wildlife sightings at the Baylands Nature Preserve in Palo Alto. This 5-mile loop through Byxbee Park and the Emily Renzel Wetlands features striking installations by artists Peter Richards and Michael Oppenheimer—where the landscape itself becomes part of the canvas.

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Trending Stories SoCal

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  1. Sponsored

    No Limits Family Trip: Reno Tahoe

    What if your next family getaway didn’t come with a set agenda—just the freedom to go where the day takes you? Find yourselves in Reno Tahoe, a land of no limits and plenty of outdoor bounty.

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  2. Tree Town

    Home to an estimated 21,000 trees and 100 acres of parkland, South Pasadena has earned its nickname: the City of Trees. This 2.5-mile neighborhood walk lets you experience its leafy canopy up close, winding through charming streets and three of the city’s beloved parks.

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  3. Fountain to Falls trail Monrovia

    Fountain to the Falls

    There are three ways to reach the lovely Monrovia Canyon Falls, but only one of them is worthy of being named a good challenge, with a lovely old town stroll included.

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  4. A Better Way to Baldwin

    The Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook in Culver City is one of West L.A.’s most popular hiking spots, but most visitors miss the bigger picture. This 3.5-mile out-and-back along a section of the Park to Playa Trail offers a fuller experience of this gorgeous nature park with sweeping urban views and a few artistic surprises along the way.

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