All in Northern CA

  1. Lakes Basin Camping and Hiking in the Sierra Nevada

    Secret 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.

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  2. Hidden Labyrinth Hikes and Bike Rides in the Bay Area

    Hidden 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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  3. Hike-in to Marin's Black Sands Beach

    A 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.

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  4. Sponsored
    2025-03-26

    Hidden Gems of Reno Tahoe

    Step into a land where adventure meets relaxation. Reno Tahoe is where the spirit of the great outdoors and the energy of vibrant city life inspire you to live with no limits.

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  5. Crater Lake Southern Oregon Road Trip

    The 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!

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  6. Bay Area Ridgetop Hikes and Bike Rides

    Ridgetop 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.

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  7. Hike in Beaches Marin San Francisco Bay Area

    Hike-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.

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  8. Angel Island Hike and Beach in San Francisco Bay

    Angel 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.

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  9. Hike Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve near Half Moon Bay

    Outdoors 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!

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  10. Hike Tomales Point Trail Point Reyes

    Point 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.

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  11. Hike Mount Tam Tree Swing Dipsea Trail Stinson

    OMG 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.

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  12. Hike Mist Trail Yosemite Nevada Vernal Falls

    Yosemite 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.

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  13. Taft Point Yosemite Sunset

    The 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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  14. Mount Burdell Hike Marin

    Out 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!

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  15. Sponsored
    2025-03-26

    Hidden Gems of Reno Tahoe

    Step into a land where adventure meets relaxation. Reno Tahoe is where the spirit of the great outdoors and the energy of vibrant city life inspire you to live with no limits.

    View
  16. Bike Golden Gate Park San Francisco

    Easing 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!

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  17. Sequoia National Park

    Shortlist 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!

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  18. New Rules of the Trail

    New 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!

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  19. Weekend Sherpa Team

    The Outdoors We're Craving

    We're sharing what adventures we're most craving and plan to do as soon as the time is right

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  20. How to #OptInside during Shelter in Place

    How 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.

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  21. Social Distance Hike and Bike Rides

    Social Distance Hikes and Bike Rides

    Social Distance Hikes and Bike Rides (with important ways for safety during coronavirus)

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  22. Bay Area hikes to keep your calm

    Hikes to Keep Your Calm

    From redwoods to rolling hills and seaside bluffs, these three hikes are great for the soul

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Trending Stories NorCal

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  1. All right, Almaden!

    Take a trip through time on this 5-mile loop in Almaden Quicksilver County Park. Explore the ruins of an old cinnabar mine and enjoy the first hints of wildflower season.

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  2. Waterfalls and Wine Pours

    Cooler temps, green hills, and the return of our magnificent waterfalls! This family-friendly 2-mile hike at Uvas Canyon County Park in Morgan Hill is a great way to get the most out of a short hike post-rain.

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  3. Woman hiker is climbing up the ladder in the Steep Ravine section of the Dipsea Loop Trail on Mount Tam

    Misty on Mount Tam

    Mount Tam’s 3.9-mile round-trip Steep Ravine and Dipsea Trail Loop weathers the wets and wilds with some confidence, sheltered in parts by redwoods, and wowing with a waterfall.

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  4. Mile-Long Cataract Club

    In winter after heavy rains, the north flank of Mount Tam glows with flows. The nearly mile-long series of waterfalls—Cataract Falls—transforms into a supercharged spectacle. Starting at Alpine Dam, a 1.6 mile (one-way) narrow trails threads through redwoods and ferns along Cataract Creek.

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Trending Stories SoCal

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  1. Sponsored

    Hidden Gems of Reno Tahoe

    Step into a land where adventure meets relaxation. Reno Tahoe is where the spirit of the great outdoors and the energy of vibrant city life inspire you to live with no limits.

    View
  2. Peace Labyrinth

    Hidden in LA’s historic West Adams district, the Peace Awareness Labyrinth & Gardens is a welcome respite from the norms of urban noise.

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  3. 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. Hikers sitting on a large rock slab next to Three Sisters Falls in Cleveland National Forest Southern California near Julian

    Three Sisters

    Good things come in threes at this hike to a lovely trio-tiered waterfall in Cleveland National Forest. The 4.25-mile out-and-back hike rambles among rolling hills, with rocky mountain views as switchbacks take you down to a lush canyon and the falls.

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