All in Northern CA

  1. Wildflower Hikes in the Bay Area

    Nature’s flower shop is opening up for the season! These Bay Area wildflower hikes are looking fresh and green with sprinkles of colorful wildflowers. Put ’em on your spring bucket list.

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  2. Woman hiking the South Kaibab Trail in the Grand Canyon

    West's Best National Parks in Spring

    Welcome spring by exploring some of the West’s best national parks. From Yosemite to the Grand Canyon and a few spots in between, here’s a bucket list for your vernal vacations.

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  3. Woman at overlook watching Cataract Falls on Mount Tam in Marin

    Wilderness, Wildflowers, Waterfalls

    Better than spring cleaning? Spring hiking! As we approach longer days, plan to set out for some adventures filled with green hills, budding blooms, and a few waterfalls.

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  4. Sponsored
    2024-12-18

    Sublime San Juan Islands

    Well, well, this wellness action plan takes you to the San Juan Islands! Easily reached by ferry yet worlds away in tranquility and unique adventures, this Washington State jewel of the Salish Sea nurtures through nature.

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  5. Spring It On

    Warmer days and green hills. Spring is coming like a friend you haven’t seen in a year. And these Bay Area hikes are a great way to celebrate. From a trail-less-traveled to stunning views of the Golden Gate Bridge, to a big regional park with equally big views, and a small preserve with mighty wildflowers … put some spring in your step!

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  6. Woman looking out over the San Francisco National Cemetery

    Mindful Hikes

    Short hikes are a delight when they've got redwoods, early wildflowers, big Bay Area views, and places to pay homage to history. Here are three to do.

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  7. Woman hiking the Badlands Trail in Golden Canyon in Death Valley National Park

    Death Valley Double Dare

    As the largest national park in the Lower 48, Death Valley is wondrous, with a landscape raw and rugged and spirited and sublime—from canyons to peaks and dunes, even a massive crater, here's a plan!

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  8. Couple sitting at a bench overlooking the Santa Cruz mountains at sunrise at El Sereno Preserve in the South Bay

    Romancing the Outdoors

    Romance and the great outdoors … they just kinda go together, if you know where to go! While we can’t guarantee that these five adventures will put you in the mood, we can guarantee that they will put you ... outdoors! Cupid's gotta handle the rest.

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  9. Hiker overlooking the Santa Cruz Mountains at Upper La Honda Creek Preserve

    Reserve These A-list Hikes

    The South Bay has lots of A-list hiking areas, and some currently require reserving a spot or knowing best times to go. Here are three places worth planning ahead for in the coming weeks.

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  10. Woman walking on wide open beach in Pescadero

    Open Wide!

    You like a little room with your roam? These hikes and bike rides are good bets for enjoying wide-open spaces, trails less traveled, and some wiggle room if things get tight!

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  11. Woman snowshoe hiking at Castle Pass overlooking the mountains in Tahoe National Forest

    Inspiration Points!

    Refresh your outdoors list and head for three beautiful adventures with brilliant vantages and vistas to inspire. From a snowshoe hike to a sunrise surprise, get a new perspective for 2021.

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  12. Woman walking on Limantour Beach in Point Reyes National Seashore

    Wild Wild Coast

    Do you like long walks on the beach? These three spots offer beautiful bluffside hikes with incredible vantages and beach walking too. See wildlife like elephant seals and spy Mavericks surf break.

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  13. Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco

    New Year, New Trails

    2021, we're ready for new perspectives! From a brand new trail in the South Bay to a new pedestrian connector bridge and marsh in SF's Presidio, here are three ways to put some happy in your new year.

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  14. Woman on a Tree Swing overlooking the Pacific at Mount Tam in Marin County

    Top 10 of 2020

    In a year that was filled with choppy waters, one thing was a safe harbor: the great outdoors. Local trails and parks were a welcome respite as we navigated a new reality. As we look to the future we're also going to close out 2020 by sharing our annual best outdoor adventures of the year. In no particular order, here are the Top 10 Adventures of 2020. Onward. 

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  15. Sponsored
    2024-12-18

    Sublime San Juan Islands

    Well, well, this wellness action plan takes you to the San Juan Islands! Easily reached by ferry yet worlds away in tranquility and unique adventures, this Washington State jewel of the Salish Sea nurtures through nature.

    View
  16. Woman walking trail overlooking the Pacific Ocean at Hawk Hill in Marin County

    Team Favorites

    Thank you to our 2020 team for bringing the great outdoors home in a most challenging year. Meet our contributing content producers and get ideas from their personal favorite California adventures.

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  17. Woman hugging sheep at Hidden Villa Farm in the South Bay

    Comfort and Joy Outdoors

    From a hike that includes a farm filled with delightful animals, to a trail less-traveled on Mount Tam and a San Francisco classic, here are some holiday hikes for comfort and joy outside.

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  18. Woman watching a sunset at Windy Hill Preserve in the South Bay

    Sunset and Mistletoe Hikes

    The holidays are different in 2020 but you can still find comfort and joy outside. Go on a sunset hike that's quieter this year, or see the mistletoe and fall colors that are still making a splash.

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  19. Biking in Alameda

    Let's Roll!

    Looking for some fun ways to spice up the holiday season outdoors? These 3 easy bike rides include patio pit stops to grab a drink & bite. Wheels down, masks up, the holidays are on!

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  20. Woman at Got Rock Beach Taking Photos at Sunset

    Gobble Up These Outdoor Adventures

    If there’s one thing 2020 has made vividly apparent, it’s how much we appreciate getting outside. Here’s to a safe and happy Thanksgiving, and a few ways to enjoy some local adventures.

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  21. Autumn Outdoors in Apple Hill and Nevada City

    Gold Rush Outdoors

    California's closest thing to autumn in New England is in places like Apple Hill. From trails festooned in fall foliage, to local farms and wineries, plus apple cider donuts, go for gold country!

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  22. Hike Olompali State Historic Park

    Color-fall Hikes for the Holidays

    Cooler temps and colorful foliage make autumn a great time of year for hitting the trails. These three easy hikes pack in a bit of extra fall color to go with your pumpkin spice whatnot.

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  1. Two people walking along the bluff trail at Sea Ranch on the Sonoma Coast overlooking the Pacific Ocean

    Sweet as the Sea

    Rough-and-tumble coastline, twisting Highway 1, open grasslands, hidden beaches, bluff trails, and a rustic lodge for storm watching from indoors—we’re not talking about Big Sur. We’re talking Sea Ranch and its namesake lodge on the Sonoma Coast. Walk its famous bluff-top trail, a cliff-hugging sensation with soaring Pacific scenery.

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  2. Sponsored

    The 2025 Hiking Calendar Is Here!

    Ready to make hiking part of your New Year’s wellness plan? Get the all-new 2025 Hiking Calendar courtesy of Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST).

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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. Woman swimming in Carson Hotsprings natural thermal pool

    Hot Springs, Naturally

    Thermal spring waters are famous for their curative, relaxing elements, and Reno Tahoe is filled with them! Sink into these amazing thermal respites for a wellness super soak.

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Trending Stories SoCal

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  1. Animal Encounters

    Located where Redding’s famous Sundial Bridge overlooks the Sacramento River, Turtle Bay Exploration Park is 300 acres of gardens, a museum and playground, aquarium, and unforgettable up-close animal encounters!

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  2. Sundialed

    Redding is home to one of the world’s most famous pedestrian-only bridges—the Sundial Bridge was created by the Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava (its sister bridges are in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Seville, Spain). The glass-deck bridge across the Sacramento River is a true sundial....

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  3. Weekend Sherpa Podcast
    Sponsored

    Weekend Sherpa Podcast: Take It Outside

    Adventure for your earbuds. What's new in the world of the outdoors? Listen to Weekend Sherpa co-founders discuss local hikes, beaches, bike rides, camping spots and all kinds of travel and adventure in California and beyond!

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  4. Locals' Feature: Max Smith of Moment Skis

    Meet Max Smith, VP of Moment Skis in Reno, Nevada. Moment is the largest ski manufacturer in the US and you can see how their innovative and artistic skis are made by visiting Moment Skis headquarters in Reno. The Factory is where the magic happens, so drop in for a visit and say hi to the team, including employee dogs who are on quality control.

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