All in Northern CA

  1. Woman hiking Hawk Hill in the Marin Headlands at Sunset

    As the Sun Sets on Summer

    As the sun sets on summer, here are some sunset spots (and sails!) to savor before we leap into outdoor adventures worth falling for.

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  2. Let There Be Light(houses)

    As summer simmers down and days darken faster, we’ve got a few ways to keep the light going. Just add lighthouses! From overnight stays, to guided tours, here are three unique lighthouse adventures.

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  3. Woman jumping on the beach at Pescadero Marsh

    Autumn Taking Flight

    Autumn brings new light. Ease into the season with these mellow hike and bike adventures at wetlands and beaches across the Bay Area. Savor peaceful trails, see birdlife, and relax waterside.

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    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. The Secluded Sierra

    Travel to the very northern part of the Sierra Nevada and discover a vast wilderness with only three traffic lights and more nature than people. Plumas County is a tranquil haven of high mountain recreation lakes, hiking and biking trails galore, plentiful small-town charms, and a national park that's still a hidden treasure.

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  6. Now Open: These Camping Adventures

    Better late than never. Winter's historic precipitation meant delays in some backcountry and high Sierra camping adventures due to road repairs and too much snow! Here are a few places you can go now, some recently re-opened (and first-come, first-served!).

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  7. Tahoe Easy Rollers

    How do you escape the crowds at Tahoe? Try a bike ride along one of the region’s beautiful (car-free!) bike trails paralleling the Truckee River and Lake Tahoe. Here are some great rides (that can also be hikes or walks) for getting a little space.

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  8. Midsummer Picks

    It's the thick of summer, and the heat has dialed up. Stay refreshed with these popular outdoor hikes, bike rides, and kayaking adventures in Northern California (and a few points beyond).

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  9. Coasting in Santa Cruz

    Summer heat is still on, so keep on coasting with a little help from Santa Cruz County. Here are some hikes, bike rides, and brewpubs to keep your cool.

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  10. Coastal Cabins

    Feel like coasting and a cabin stay? We have some places in mind. Unplug and unwind (or stay a bit connected, but still in nature) and enjoy one of these cabin getaways with beaches, hikes, and beautiful views. Sweet dreams.

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  11. Better Hit the Beach!

    With soaring temperatures even San Francisco is having warm summer days. Keep your cool with some classic coastal hikes and beaches where the ocean breeze refreshes.

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  12. Glamp tent at Crater Lake Resort near Klamath Falls in Southern Oregon

    Road Trip to Remember

    Build the best road trip memories in Southern Oregon. Hike the famous Table Rocks, paddle in the serenity of the Cascades, glamp near Crater Lake, see the greatest waterfalls, and enjoy bucolic food + wine trails. Here’s a road trip itinerary from our recent adventure to help you map out your very own Southern Oregon vacation.

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  13. Wheels of Fortune

    What’s better than a beautiful Bay Area bike ride with grand scenery? Not much! But bonus in a tiki bar, a tasty spot for Mexican cuisine and margaritas, or an old-fashioned gastropub, and you’ve got a perfect summer spin.

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  14. Go Fourth for Summer Adventures

    What’s new for summer? How about the recently re-opened guided canoe and kayak tours at one of the most mysterious lakes on earth? Or a tip on getting first-come, first-served camping at a stunning state park? Or check off that visit to the newest urban oasis with views of the golden state's Golden Gate. Go fourth!

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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. Hidden Gems of the East Bay

    Life’s a hike-in beach, and a bayside wine-tasting with food + live music, and a bike ride with classic views of the Golden Gate. Head to the East Bay for a brilliant summer day!

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  17. Woman hiking down stairs to Perles Beach on Angel Island State Park in the San Francisco Bay Area

    California State Parks Week

    California State Parks Week (June 14 - 18, 2023) encourages visits California state parks for new experiences, nourishing health and wellness, celebrating community and culture, and caring for our lands. Here are just a few suggestions of places to go.

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  18. Ready to Rock

    Rock stars: unique, expressive, and with individual flair. These three Northern California rock stars are no exception—featuring nature-sculpted formations you can admire on a hike or from a beach. Rock, on.

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  19. Down by the Water

    This winter's epic rain and snow has rivers and creeks currently flowing like never before. Admire the flow, but do it on land, from a safe distance. Here are three unique places to bike, hike, or camp near the water.

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  20. Hike-in to Beach Bliss

    Know what feels good after a hike? Sticking your toes in the sand! Kick off the unofficial start to summer with some beach time ... but not just any beach time... these three beaches are hike-ins, for a bit of extra bliss.

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  21. Redwoods Right Now

    Who’s throwing shade? These big ol’ beautiful redwoods across Northern California. Come for the hiking, stay for the camping. You’ll have it made in the shade.

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  22. Small Parks, Big Views

    These Bay Area parks are not super-sized yet bring super-size scenery including iconic views, barbecues, and beautiful scenery—from lush gardens to the Golden Gate, and an artfully designed mini-golf course!

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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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  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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