All in Northern CA

  1. Bernal Heights Park in San Francisco at Sunset

    Parks and Rec

    San Francisco's parks are places of respite and discovery. Here are some ways to go explore them anew. Bonus: you'll also some great points of view!

    VIEW
  2. Bike the Napa Valley Vine Trail & Grab Beers at Stone Brewing

    Waterside Hikes and Bike Rides

    Get Refreshed with these waterside hikes and bike rides featuring beautiful views, craft brews, and iconic bridges.

    VIEW
  3. Sierra Nevada Lake Camping California

    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.

    VIEW
  4. Sponsored

    Extra-Celestial Central Oregon

    Some trips promise you the moon and the stars. And this one delivers in a big way, plus throws in some extra planets for your viewing pleasure. From Bend, Sunriver, and Sisters to Antelope Basecamp in the remote high desert.

    View
  5. 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.

    VIEW
  6. 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.

    VIEW
  7. 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.

    VIEW
  8. 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!

    VIEW
  9. 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.

    VIEW
  10. 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.

    VIEW
  11. 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.

    VIEW
  12. 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!

    VIEW
  13. 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.

    VIEW
  14. 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.

    VIEW
  15. Sponsored

    Extra-Celestial Central Oregon

    Some trips promise you the moon and the stars. And this one delivers in a big way, plus throws in some extra planets for your viewing pleasure. From Bend, Sunriver, and Sisters to Antelope Basecamp in the remote high desert.

    View
  16. 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.

    VIEW
  17. 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.

    VIEW
  18. 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!

    VIEW
  19. 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!

    VIEW
  20. 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!

    VIEW
  21. 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!

    VIEW
  22. 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

    VIEW
A Hiker looking over a mountain range

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
  1. Woman walking down the stairs overlooking the ocean on the Coastal Trail in San Francisco

    America's Best Urban Hike

    Long ago we dubbed it the “Grand Walk” and said it was one of the most scenic and stunning trails in the West. We were wrong. This is the most scenic urban hike in America!

    View
  2. Hike or Bike the Skyline

    A new section of the Bay Area Ridge Trail is open for biking, hiking, or horseback riding along the 12-mile (out-and-back) Skyline Watershed Ridge Trail.

    View
  3. Hiker on the SCA trail in Marin Headlands with view of the Golden Gate Bridge

    Headlands Over Heels

    People come from all over the world to get a glimpse of the Golden Gate Bridge. Get a dramatic and novel view of the bridge without all the people on this moderate 6-mile hike in the Marin Headlands.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Lagoon Swoon

    We all love an underdog story, especially in the shadow of the greats. Enter a truly SoCal coastal version: Malibu Lagoon State Beach. Though situated next to Surfrider Beach, a fa

    View
  2. Sponsored

    Extra-Celestial Central Oregon

    Some trips promise you the moon and the stars. And this one delivers in a big way, plus throws in some extra planets for your viewing pleasure. From Bend, Sunriver, and Sisters to Antelope Basecamp in the remote high desert.

    View
  3. Tree Town

    Home to an estimated 21,000 trees and 100 acres of parkland, South Pasadena has earned its nickname: the City of Trees. This 2.5-mile neighborhood walk lets you experience its leafy canopy up close, winding through charming streets and three of the city’s beloved parks.

    View