Despite its devilish hot name, Mount Diablo has a cooler, splashier side. Heavy winter rains create a collection of six scenic waterfalls encircling the mountain’s rugged northern canyons. Take the grand tour on this 5-mile loop with a gentle climb up Donner Canyon Road to the…

Isn’t it time you took things SLO? It’s actually much easier than you think. San Luis Obispo (SLO) is centrally located just a few hours from San Francisco and Los Angeles. It’s a Central Coast getaway with a secret: In February and March it’s absolutely awesome, with green…

Tucked at the end of a sleepy residential street in Larkspur, it’s easy to miss the narrow path that drops into Baltimore Canyon Open Space Preserve, where serene redwoods resemble a condensed Muir Woods—without the crowds! The big winter draw? Dawn Falls, a majestic display of…

After heavy rains, the rolling headwaters of Peters Creek in Long Ridge Open Space Preserve pulsate along the forest floor via a series of small waterfalls that cut grooves in sandstone boulders. See it on a 4.5-mile loop hike starting from the Grizzly Flat parking lot. Wind 0.…