All "Water" Stories in Northern CA

1. 

   Beach Rambler

   So you’re in the mood for a long walk on the beach. Get an early start and get to Stinson Beach. Larger than Muir Beach and less rocky than Bolinas Beach, this Bay Area staple of pristine soft sand stretches for 3.5 miles up the coast, with mountainous views of Bolinas in the…

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2. 

   SUPer Tomales

   So you’ve heard all about stand-up paddleboarding and want some friendly waters to give a try? Hot Tomales—you’re in luck! Go with the peaceful flow at Tomales Bay in Point Reyes National Seashore. The Tomales Bay water is not only warmer than the Pacific, it’s also calmer…

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3. 

   Mile Rock Club

   Solitude in San Francisco is a just a Mile Rock away. This small and secluded cove tucked beneath wild and beautiful views of the Pacific Ocean, the Marin Headlands, and the Golden Gate Bridge is easy to reach if you don’t mind lots of steps. From the Lands End parking lot by the…

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4. 

   Point of Contemplation

   Guiding mariners around the craggy cliffs of the Pacific since 1872, Pigeon Point Lighthouse in Pescadero has been preserved by the California State Park system. Also very much alive in the area: tide pools! Venture an easy 100 yards north of the Point’s popular hostel and take…

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5. 

   Rainforest Hike to Hidden Hot Springs

   Located on the far flung rugged west coast of Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Tofino is set on Clayoquot Sound, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve with old-growth rainforest, barely touched beaches, and mountains skyrocketing from the sea. If you just have a day here, don’t miss…

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6. 

   Rainforest Hike to Hidden Hot Springs

   Located on the far flung rugged west coast of Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Tofino is set on Clayoquot Sound, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve with old-growth rainforest, barely touched beaches, and mountains skyrocketing from the sea. If you just have a day here, don’t miss…

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7. 

   Vote for Pedro

   Green marks the spot. A green gate, that is. Hidden off Highway 1, just north of Pacifica’s Devil’s Slide Tunnel, this unassuming entrance leads to a 2.2-mile (round-trip) hike with spectacular views of the rugged Peninsula shoreline at Pedro Point. The trail’s crown jewel? Pedro…

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8. 

   Down by the River

   Carmel might be one of the best-known enclaves in the Monterey area, but its nearby Carmel River State Beach is much more of a local’s secret—especially the southern end of it. On this short and easy 1.5-mile (round-trip) walk, you’ll be right beside the crashing Pacific until…

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9. 

   No Ordinary Beach

   Want a beach that will really get you away from it all? Fort Ord Dunes State Park is just the ticket. This relative newcomer to the state park system gives an impressive perspective of the half moon–shaped Monterey Bay. Get a great view of it from the main parking lot and try to…

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10. 

    Hello, Sur!

    Big Sur is home to numerous fantastic beaches and coves, so which one do you choose? Go for the beach that’s quintessential Big Sur (and dog-friendly!). Pfeiffer Beach in Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park recently re-opened, and its signature lilac-colored sand is waiting for your feet…

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11. 

    Paddle Perfection

    Jenner is enviably located smack dab where the Russian River meets the Pacific. And that’s why it’s one of the most perfect places to kayak in the Bay Area. Its compact size, diverse environment, and plentiful wildlife make it a must-do for anyone who likes to get out on the…

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12. 

    Surprise Factor

    Some people don’t like surprises, but we’re guessing even those people will like the surprise hidden beach at Russian Gulch. While you can drive by and see multiple beach options in these parts, most cars zip right past the locked gate on Highway 1. That might be because the…

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13. 

    Go the Extra Mile

    You can drive right up to a lot of incredible vista points in California and they make great excuses for getting out of the car to stretch the legs. But the Sonoma Coast State Beach “Vista Trail,” perched high on Highway 1, goes the extra mile, literally. Enjoy the best view of…

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14. 

    Gray Area

    Honking, quacking, whistling … we’re not talking about a raucous night in the city. We’re talking about an absolute bonanza of bird species when you visit Gray Lodge Wildlife Area, 50 miles north of Sacramento in the heart of the Pacific Flyway. Every winter more than a million…

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15. 

    TI Surprise

    It’s no secret that Treasure Island has one of the best views of San Francisco. Visitors often steer toward the western side for the grand vista. But tucked on the east side by the yacht harbor is hidden Clipper Cove Beach, reached by descending 54 wooden steps (yeah, we counted…

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16. 

    Have You Bean Yet?

    Unassuming, beautiful, and a favorite once discovered, Bean Hollow State Beach is the Maggie Gyllenhaal of the San Mateo Coast. Located 3 miles south of Pescadero, this stretch of golden sand requires no hike-in, yet on most afternoons the place is wonderfully uncrowded. Spend…

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17. 

    Dillon Dally

    If you’re going to go to a beach north of the Golden Gate, chances are it’s one of the Big 3 in Marin: the Headlands, Stinson, Point Reyes. But oft-overlooked Dillon Beach is also Marin magical. Regularly shrouded in fog during summer, the mist lifts on Dillon a little more in…

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