All in Northern CA
Four Goodness Lakes!
Enjoy the Sierra Nevada's most refreshing assets: lakes! Here are four lake camping destinations in the Sierra Nevada where you can escape for some lounging, paddling, and hiking.
VIEWSecret Sierra
The Lakes Basin is the High Sierra, simplified. About one hour northwest of Tahoe you'll find chill lakeside camping, miles of uncrowded hiking trails, and a lookout like no other.
VIEWHidden Labyrinths
Meditative, contemplative, creative, and sometimes just simply fun, labyrinths seem to pop up all over the Bay Area. Here are three to discover on hikes and bike rides.
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SponsoredYes, Seattle!
Ready to try something new this winter? Seattle’s ready for you! Beautiful by nature with its Puget Sound setting, surrounding mountains, and nearby national parks, winter in Seattle can be a magical and festive time. Ever been in a hot tub boat?...
ViewA Midsummer Weekend's Dream
Get your midsummer mojo workin' with river kayaking, ridgetop hikes and bike rides, and a hideaway beach. These are some great ways to mix it up outdoors this summer.
VIEWThe Road Trip Less Traveled
A beautiful national park, wild and scenic rivers, hike-in hot springs, tent cabins in the mountains, peak hikes, wine tasting: do a road trip to Southern Oregon!
VIEWRidgetop Views
Peak hikes get a lot of attention. But what about ridgetop rambles? These hikes and bike rides in the Bay Area traverse amazing ridges for some seriously cinematic outdoors.
VIEWHike-in Beach Havens
We’re spoiled in California with so much beautiful shoreline. But the best stuff? Well, you gotta hike to get to it. Here are three Bay Area beaches to put on your summer list.
VIEWAngel Island Re-opens
When it comes to iconic Bay Area scenery, there’s something quite heavenly about Angel Island. Hike to its peak hike for panoramic views, chill out at a secret beach, or bike the Perimeter Road.
VIEWOutdoors Fourth Sure!
While this certainly won't be your typical Fourth of July, we're lucky we have some beautiful outdoors. Check out our New Rules of the Trail, and check out these hikes and bike rides. Be safe, happy Fourth!
VIEWPoint Reyes Forever
We heart Point Reyes for all the reasons: spectacular open space, epic coastline, beautiful beaches, dramatic promontories, and wildlife of all kinds ... Here are three classic adventures in this stunning, natural wanderland.
VIEWOMG These Hikes!
Some hikes have that extra little something that makes them classics. In this case, it's the views you get on the trail. We're celebrating our new site with some favorite hikes.
VIEWYosemite Re-Opens
(whispering...) We don't want to cause a mad rush, but the Sierra Nevada's Shangri-La has re-opened! With visitation limited to about 50% of normal, it's a great time to hit the trails.
VIEWThe Outdoors for Everyone
Since 2006 our credo has been "the outdoors for everyone.” This was meant to inspire outdoor adventures for anybody, regardless of experience level, age, income, gender, or race.
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SponsoredYes, Seattle!
Ready to try something new this winter? Seattle’s ready for you! Beautiful by nature with its Puget Sound setting, surrounding mountains, and nearby national parks, winter in Seattle can be a magical and festive time. Ever been in a hot tub boat?...
ViewOut You Go
As parks continue to re-open, going outdoors is making a comeback. And we're pretty excited. Here are some hikes in various counties across Northern California to get you inspired. As always, check official websites for information and updates before you go, since statuses may change. Enjoy your local trails!
VIEWEasing Back Into the Outdoors
(Dipping pinky toe in...) We're easing into the outdoors again. Here's a list of some hikes (and bike rides) that are open as of this week. Stay safe, enjoy your parks, and let's keep outside open!
VIEWShortlist These National Parks
We love our national parks. So we created a shortlist of the top parks to visit, and the best hikes to do, once they re-open. We can't wait to get back!
VIEWNew Rules of the Trail
As parks around California begin to re-open, we came up with tips for being responsible on your outdoor adventures. Let’s do our part so we can all keep enjoying the parks!
VIEWThe Outdoors We're Craving
We're sharing what adventures we're most craving and plan to do as soon as the time is right
VIEWHow to #OptInside
Getting a little stir crazy? Covid-19 has unfortunately shut down a lot of open space. What to do? We have a few ways to bring the great outdoors indoors. We've called it #OptInside. Check out the list of easy things to do indoors.
VIEWSocial Distance Hikes and Bike Rides
Social Distance Hikes and Bike Rides (with important ways for safety during coronavirus)
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Yes, Seattle!
Ready to try something new this winter? Seattle’s ready for you! Beautiful by nature with its Puget Sound setting, surrounding mountains, and nearby national parks, winter in Seattle can be a magical and festive time. Ever been in a hot tub boat?...
Visit Seattle
Your Inbox to the Outdoors
Stay up to date with our weekly recommendations on where to explore locally in California.
Trending Stories NorCal
View all Stories![Man hiking up a trail at Montara Mountain, with a view of the Pacific and Grey Whale sand beach in the background]()
From Beach to Summit
No need to decide between a beach and a mountaintop—this hike includes both! Explore the stunning coastal scenery on this 6-mile out-and-back up Montara Mountain and into Rancho Corral de Tierra.
ViewPicnic and a Pedal
West Marin has all the right stuff for an afternoon getaway: bike paths, babbling brooks, canopy forests, and secluded picnic spots. Combine a picnic and a pedal at Samuel P. Taylor State Park by biking the easygoing Cross Marin Trail.
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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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Sebastopol Food & Wine Roll
One apple farm, three charming towns, multiple wineries, and infinite natural beauty. Savor a perfect autumn day in Sonoma County by biking the West County Regional Trail from Sebastopol to Forestville via Graton. It’s a 17-mile (round-trip) adventure.
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Trending Stories SoCal
View all Stories![Woman walking in the Venice Canals of Los Angeles County]()
Canal Contemplations
With its incense-scented boardwalk, bohemian shops, skateparks, and abundance of body builders, Venice is happily eccentric, and artistic. Exhibit A: Its network of European-style canals with charming bridges, offering a tranquil tour of the town’s history.
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Wine Down, Dine Out in Lake Chelan
The fertile soil around Washington State's Lake Chelan is ripe for more than just the amazing apples. Vineyards here yield high quality grapes, and some of the country’s best less-discovered wineries. Locals know it, and you will too when you start choosing from the more than 30 wineries in the region.
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What's Up, Winthrop!
It’s not just its location close to Washington State’s spectacular and less visited national park (North Cascades) that makes Winthrop such a winsome mountain town. This lively enclave in the Methow Valley bristles with a whimsical blend of Wild West charms, contemporary culture, and a mosaic of outdoor adventures—from river to lake to waterfalls, and beyond.
ViewPlanet of the Oaks
Let us count the number of oak tree species in the Volcan Mountain Wilderness Preserve near Julian: coast, scrub, canyon, black, and Engelmann. Five! The preserve’s Five Oaks Trail is a 3.2-mile hike that boasts all five.
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