All in Northern CA

1. 

   Look on the Bright Side

   As the shortest day of the year approaches, look on the bright side! From a peak hike in the middle of the bay to an urban art walk and a lighthouse for spying gray whales, here are three ways to find some good light. Happy holidays, everyone!

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2. 

   Redwood Walks

   It can be hard to find peace on earth at the local mall during the holidays. But a walk in a cathedral of coastal redwoods … now that brings a little joy to the world! Here are three redwood walks in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Be merry!

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3. 

   Holiday Hikes

   Thanksgiving’s in the rearview mirror, but plenty of holidays are just ahead! Instead of the malls, put in some miles on these festive, fun, and easygoing hikes that’ll add a little spice to your outdoors life.

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4. 
   Sponsored

   2026-06-03

   Take the Exit to the Best of the San Francisco Peninsula

   The San Francisco Peninsula is proof that some of Northern California’s greatest surprises are hiding just off Highway 101. All you have to do is take the exit.

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5. 

   Feast on This

   Happy Thanksgiving! The turkey's eaten, the pumpkin pie is polished off, and now you're looking around going ... What next? How about a few adventures you can do with family and friends over the weekend. Outside is always in!

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6. 

   Hikes to Clear Your Head

   A walk in the woods is always good medicine. These three Bay Area hikes are just what the doctor ordered.

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7. 

   Winter Classics

   Winter brings all kinds of adventures to California: photogenic coastal rambles, snowy Sierra outings, dancing in the desert... Here are some winter classics!

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8. 

   Coastal Cabins

   Feel like getting away? We know just the place. Unplug, unwind, and take a deep breath at any of these coastal cabins. Sweet dreams are made of these.

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9. 

   7 Wonders of Fall

   There are 7 more weekends left in fall, what are you going to do with them all? Here are 7 autumn-magical adventures to keep you out there!

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10. 

    Ride On Time For Fall Color

    Ready to roll with the change of seasons? The fall colors are strutting their stuff in forests, by rivers, and in the valleys. Here are three easy car-free bike rides that make for a truly color-fall adventure.

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11. 

    Boo-tiful Views

    This Halloween, trade in the haunted houses for a visit to some of the Bay Area’s most famous abandoned battery structures, where interesting new things are found in the shadows and grand views are guaranteed. Boo goes there?!

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12. 

    Autumn Waterfalls

    Big waterfalls and fall colors? These three waterfalls outside of Redding are amazing anytime of year, but during autumn you get an extra color-fall adventure!

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13. 

    Fleet Feat

    In case you haven’t (over)heard: Fleet Week is here! The Blue Angels’ weekend air show features amazing aerial acrobatics over San Francisco Bay, but you might feel like you have to perform some major stunts of your own just to get a good view. Instead, head to any of these places for a little adventure that can also get you some fantastic views of the Blue Angels in action. Sky’s the limit!

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14. 

    The Other Sierra

    One of California’s best kept secrets is at its best for the next few weeks. The Owens Valley and adjacent Eastern Escarpment are otherworldly: ancient, remote, and rugged. Formed by volcanic and glacial events, this is a land where you’ll adventure among the oldest trees in the world, the highest peak in California, and scenery so stunning it’s been used as cinematic backdrop time and again. Go before the snow and you can enjoy some secluded camping, too!

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15. 
    Sponsored

    2026-06-03

    Take the Exit to the Best of the San Francisco Peninsula

    The San Francisco Peninsula is proof that some of Northern California’s greatest surprises are hiding just off Highway 101. All you have to do is take the exit.

    View
16. 

    South for Scenic Hikes

    Birds do it. Whales do it. Maybe they're onto something... Get a jump start on the migration by heading to the South Bay for some start-of-fall hikes. (Update: on Monday, September 26 a wildfire broke out in the Santa Cruz Mountains of southern Santa Clara County and has been spreading, so these hikes are not advisable at this time.)

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17. 

    Full Moon Adventures

    There's a full moon this weekend—ready to get your shine on? From a sublime paddle to a do-it-yourself or group-led night hike, here are three ways to adventure under the North Bay's moonlight.

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18. 

    Adventure Channel

    Remote, wild, and totally enchanting, Channel Islands National Park, nicknamed “the Galapagos of California,” is an undeveloped, far less traveled archipelago off the coast of Ventura in Southern California. Make a date to explore this once lost world by adventuring all across the largest of its five islands—Santa Cruz.

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19. 

    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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20. 

    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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21. 

    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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22. 

    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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