Whale What Do We Have Here?

Usually it’s migrating gray whales that are the star sightings on the California coast, but recently humpback whales are appearing quite close to shore here in the Bay Area, as they feast on fish. Who knows how much longer the buffet will last, but there are some great hikes where you might get bonus humpback whale sightings in the next week or so…go big!

Week: 08.21.2024
Regions: Northern CA

Ah, Good Point

Hike Mori Point Peak and See the Labyrinth

Hike Mori Point Pacifica
Ready for a rewarding view? Head to one of the Peninsula’s favorite promontories: Mori Point. Climb your way up the Bootlegger’s Steps to the Mori Point headland for awesome vantages of the San Mateo Coast.
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Enter for a 2-Night Getaway on California's "Secret Coast"

Enter for 2 Night Getaway On the Mendocino Coast Plus 4 Tickets to the California Academy of Sciences

Enjoy the ultimate coastal experience with a complimentary 2-night stay at Mar Vista Farm + Cottages on the Mendocino Coast. Plus get 4 tickets to visit the California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park. 
Enter for a 2-night Getaway!

Exclamation Point!

Hike the Classic Tomales Point Trail in Point Reyes National Seashore

Hike Tomales Point Trail in Point Reyes
Maybe it’s the constant ocean breeze, or the burly tule elk, or the chance to see spouting gray whales: There’s something about Tomales Point Trail. It’s a simple 4.5-mile hike to a promontory overlooking the Pacific. But what you encounter along the way … well that’s pure Point Reyes.
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Big Wave Hiking

Hike Pillar Point Bluff to See Mavericks in Half Moon Bay

Woman hiking Pillar Point Bluff with her dog on the trail
Pillar Point Bluff's amazing trail system is a coastal haven most popular for being the best spot to watch the famed Mavericks surf break in winter. But this place is beautiful year round for hiking.
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Trending Stories NorCal

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  1. Hike the Oursan Trail alongside Briones Reservoir in the East Bay

    Opt for Oursan

    Hike the trail less traveled in the East Bay's Briones Regional Park. The Oursan Trail is pure serenity on a wide hiking path skirting the northern shores of Briones Reservoir.

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  2. Panorama Park

    From a distance you might wonder what it is … this very pointed, silvery structure rising above the horizon near the Bay Bridge. It’s the 69-foot-high Point of Infinity, a newly installed permanent sculpture located at San Francisco’s new public park, the very aptly named Panorama Park at Yerba Buena Island.

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  3. Most Peaceful Hike of All

    Is this the most peaceful one-hour hike in the Bay Area? It's got our vote! Lake Lagunitas is the smallest lake in a series of five found on the north side of Mount Tam, so it’s got that tiny but mighty charm. Do a 1.5-mile loop around the lake's shore-hugging trail.

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  4. Hike at Olompali State Historic Park in Marin

    Historically Serene

    Olompali State Historic Park is a small park that packs big California history. Go on a mostly easy 3-mile loop hike where oak trees, big-leaf maples, and madrones are stunning in autumn.

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Trending Stories SoCal

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  1. Sponsored

    Fall Is Made for Coasting

    Ready to coast? For extra autumn magic, head to the Olympic Peninsula and Washington State’s Pacific Coast for historic lodges, marquee waterfalls, lighthouses, beautiful beaches, and rainforests.

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  2. Lace Up for Lacy

    Lacy Park in San Marino is a hidden gem that may very well be the most pristine green space in greater Los Angeles, and a concealed pair of nearby stairways makes it all the more appealing.

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  3. Hecata, Yeah!

    You’ll have to travel further afield for this lighthouse gem on the magnificent Oregon Coast, but some things are worth the enlightenment! Heceta Head Lighthouse State Scenic Viewpoint is worth an overnight stay if you’ve always wanted to spend the night at a historic beacon.

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  4. Hiker amid trees at Oak Glen Preserve in Yucaipa Southern California

    Apple of Your Eye

    That fall feeling is definitely in the air and on display at the Oak Glen Preserve. Apple orchards and colorful leaves are a bonus, as are the apple cider donuts and slushies you can enjoy post-hike.

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