All Stories from Northern CA

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  Tandem to Tastings

  There are certain activities that really showcase the subtle and not-so-subtle interactions of a couple. Cue the tandem bike. And toss in some wine! There might be no better place

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  Good Things Come in Fives

  Forget three, good things come in fives: fingers; the Jacksons; the 5-second rule … and now, The Mighty 5: five iconic national parks to explore in one spectacular state: Utah! Zio

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  One Wine Day

  It happens to the best of us: you want to go wine tasting and you end up at a large-scale corporate tasting room. It's time for authentic wine country! It's time for the Wine Road:

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  Down by the River

  Carmel might be one of the best-known enclaves in the Monterey area, but its nearby Carmel River State Beach is much more of a local’s secret—especially the southern end of it. On

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  No Ordinary Beach

  Want a beach that will really get you away from it all? Fort Ord Dunes State Park is just the ticket. This relative newcomer to the state park system gives an impressive perspectiv

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  Hello, Sur!

  Big Sur is home to numerous fantastic beaches and coves, so which one do you choose? Go for the beach that's quintessential Big Sur (and dog-friendly!). Pfeiffer Beach in Pfeiffer

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  Triple Bagged

  What kind of peak-bagging adventure do you want to have this summer? A short ascent along a dormant volcano? A day hike to a gorgeous panorama of Northern California wilderness? Or

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  Win the Great Monterey Road Trip!

  How do you "road trip" the right way? Go to Monterey! Rev up the engine for one of the most spectacular coastlines in the world and a chance to Win the Great Monterey Road Trip for

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  Walk on the Wild Side

  Joshua Tree’s California Riding and Hiking Trail traverses 35 miles through the entire park, but you don't have to hike all of it to see the good stuff. Get up close and personal w

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  Take the High Road

  You don't have to rock climb to reach a brilliant panorama of Joshua Tree. A 3-mile (round-trip) hike up Ryan Mountain takes you to one of the highest peaks in the park. The trail

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  Cabin in the Redwoods

  Want to camp in the redwoods, minus the whole pitching a tent and sleeping on the ground thing? Samuel P. Taylor State Park has you covered! The new Madrone Cabins give you the cam

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  Sonoma High

  The Bay Area Ridge Trail will one day connect over 500 miles of trail along the hills and ridgelines to make one big Bay Area loop. So far, over 350 miles have been completed, and

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  Ferry Trail

  Baseball isn't the only new season to happen this spring. Starting in April, the new, longer schedule begins for the Tiburon to Angel Island Ferry. Multiple ferries serve this hist

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  Redding for Any Adventure

  Checklist for a fantastic weekend escape: 1. Affordable. 2. Great weather. 3. Tons of stuff to do outdoors. Redding checks off all three, in a big way! As the second sunniest city

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  Yodel for Yosemite

  Arizona has the Grand Canyon. Florida has the Everglades. And California? We have Yosemite. One of the world's most celebrated national parks is just a few hours away and spring is

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  Going to See Madonna

  If you're going to see Madonna we're guaranteeing the venue is going to be amazing: high up in the Santa Cruz Mountains and dominated by redwood trees. Okay, we’re not talking "Like a Virgin" Madonna; we're talking like "Second-Growth Redwoods" Mount Madonna.

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  Purisima Charisma

  Beautiful old-growth redwoods have been at Purisima Creek for a long time, but the purple, pink, white, and yellow blossoms popping right now are spring fresh. Combine a canopy of

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  Happy in Huddart

  Just off I-280 in the tony burg of Woodside is Huddart Park, a 972-acre respite with quiet trails curving through canyons and among stately second-growth redwoods. Picnic spots, gr

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  Spring for a Road Trip!

  Monterey just might be the perfect weekend road trip: it's close enough that it won't kill your "We're going on a road trip!" buzz; it's got one of the most spectacular coastlines

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  Paddle Perfection

  Jenner is enviably located smack dab where the Russian River meets the Pacific. And that's why it's one of the most perfect places to kayak in the Bay Area. Its compact size, diver

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