All in Northern CA

Fall Hikes in the Bay Area
Who says there are no fall colors in the Bay Area? Here are few hikes for hue to do!
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Summer's Home Stretch
Better late to adventure than never to adventure! There’s just two weeks left to complete the Weekend Sherpa Adventure Challenge 2016—all you have to do is get outdoors, then pick up your free t-shirt made by Marmot, along with other cool stuff. To give you some ideas, we’ve rounded up the most popular adventures done by you, the readers, this summer! Two weeks left: You’ve got this!
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Camp Last Minute
Want to do a spontaneous camping trip, but you’re assuming all the good sites are booked? Well, maybe not all the good sites. The Bay Area still has some campsite secrets—from first-come, first-served options to lesser-known places where chances of getting a last-minute reservation are pretty good. Happy campers!
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Sponsored
2026-02-02
Warm Up to Winter in Reno Tahoe
2026 is just getting started, but there’s one place already rising to the top as the best for adventure and relaxation: Reno Tahoe. The awe—and ahhhs—begin as soon as you arrive. G
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Wine & Water Adventures
Water you doing this weekend? How about paddling some gentle H2O followed by wine tasting nearby? Here are three ways to go with the California flow.
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Tahoe Trail Mix
Have you had your mountain fix yet this summer? A trip to Tahoe is always a good idea! From reaching its highest peak to a hike-in swimming hole or a backpacking adventure, here are three trails to tempt your Tahoe taste buds.
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Swimming Hole Gold
While Michael Phelps goes for gold at the upcoming Rio Olympics, you can keep your goals more modest: Aim for bronze in belly-flopping! From Placerville to Santa Cruz, here are three swimming holes that top the podium for summer fun.
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Midsummer Adventure Montage
It’s the last week of July and you know what that means? We’re halfway through the Adventure Challenge! There’s still plenty of time to participate. Just get out on any 3 Weekend Sherpa adventures and take a photo of yourself. Upload your photos to our Facebook or your Instagram with #WeekendSherpa by September 11 to get your free Marmot T-shirt! Need a few ideas? Here are some adventures!
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Take the Long View
It's summer, no need to have a long face when the days are still long! Grab some friends and head out on a long hike while daylight's still on your side. Go long!
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Santa Cruz and Microbrews
Coastal mountain biking, camping in the redwoods, paddling pristine waters, and washing it all down with a tasty beer ... Yes, Santa Cruz is always a good idea for a summer adventure.
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Yosemite High Points
Ready to take Yosemite to a whole other level? We’ve rounded up three of the best viewpoints you can hike to in the entire park! Now that’s what’s up!
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Easy Adventures for the Fourth
No big plans for the Fourth? No worries. Whether you'd like to go on a hike, lounge at the beach, check out some redwoods, or just soak in vitamin D, we have you covered.
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Local Lake Hikes
Lace up the hiking boots and hit the refresh button: the summer sizzle is on! Keep your cool with these lakeside hikes.
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Coastal Campaways
Oceanside settings, nearby hikes and adventures, first-come, first-served opportunities … summer camping is on! Pitch your tent at any of these seaside campgrounds and have fun exploring NorCal’s dramatic coast.
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Sponsored
2026-02-02
Warm Up to Winter in Reno Tahoe
2026 is just getting started, but there’s one place already rising to the top as the best for adventure and relaxation: Reno Tahoe. The awe—and ahhhs—begin as soon as you arrive. G
View
The Adventure Challenge Begins!
It’s that time of year again. The 5th Annual Weekend Sherpa Adventure Challenge kicks off today! Do any 3 adventures from Weekend Sherpa, take a photo of yourself in action, then get rewarded with the all-new Weekend Sherpa 2016 Adventure Challenge T-shirt—made by this year’s sponsor, Marmot. It’s free to participate. Now get out there!
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Beaches & Beverages
One of summer's best two-fers? Beaches and beverages! Here are three North Bay beaches close to excellent spots for grabbing a beverage (and some food) afterwards. Beach you to it!
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National Park Day Hikes in CA
Point the Way Great views, wildlife sightings, and an oceanfront setting: Don’t let this 9-mile (round-trip) hike to Tomales Point in Point Reyes National Seashore linger too long on your bucket list. Yodel for Yosemite Falls Itchin’ to climb to the top of the tallest waterfall in North America? Goodonya! The 3.5-mile (one-way) hike to Upper Yosemite Falls is challenging, misty, and mystifying! [sponsored-story] King of the Canyon Giant sequoias are the main attraction in Kings Canyon National Park, but the granite peaks around here aren’t too shabby either. Hike to the area’s highest point, Big Baldy (8,209 feet), for a grand panorama of the Sierra Nevada and the Great Western Divide’s epic peaks. Jurassic Redwoods Times change, but the tallest living trees in the world still tower over the grasslands of Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park (one of three state parks located within the jurisdiction of Redwoods National and State Parks). Transport to the Jurassic Era on a 6-mile loop hike. Talk Sweeney to Me For a hike that’ll transport you back in time—and to a place with legendary panoramas—head to the Peninsula’s Sweeney Ridge for a 5-mile (round-trip) hike, part of the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy. National Parks BONUS Check out all of our recent national parks coverage celebrating the Centennial.
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National Park Lodges: Hike-in Style
Part 3 in our monthlong feature celebrating the National Parks centennial: backcountry lodges! No need for hefting a burly backpack, tent, and food to these oases in the wilderness. From the Rockies to the Sierra, we've rounded up some of the best ways to experience national park backcountry, in style!
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May the Redwood Forest Be With You
Think you’ve seen redwoods? Not like this. Humboldt County is home to giant gems within the towering temperate rainforests of Redwood National and State Parks, and more big stuff beyond! Get ready for hulking reds, winding jade rivers, a hidden state park, and 40 miles of wild coastline that add magic like only the far north can.
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Summer Classics
It's summer. You live in California. Get out there on these adventures!
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Going Big in the High Sierra
Big trees, big peaks, big backpacking treks, and big views … it doesn’t get bigger (or better!) than adventuring in California’s first national park, Sequoia & Kings Canyon. This is the first in our May series celebrating the 2016 National Park Centennial. Each week we’ll bring you a range of national park ideas, with insider tips and plenty of ideas to get you going!
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