Big & Beautiful in the Great Artdoors

The Bay Area outdoors always shows off big beauty in its parks and gardens, with creative and colorful art exhibits and installations in rotations or permanently in place for people to visit and enjoy. Right now, there are three big deals in the great artdoors here! From giant good trolls in the South Bay to a major sea serpent in the City and two big new additions in the hamlet of Sonoma, here are three to see this fall!

Week: 10.08.2025
Regions: Northern CA

Golden Mile

See the Artwork On the Golden Mile at Golden Gate Park

Dubbed the Golden Mile, this car-free stretch of road in Golden Gate Park features rotating art installations of murals, sculptures, and abundant bright yellow Adirondack chairs for kicking back to relax. See Naga, the recent new addition here, an impressive sea serpent art installation at Golden Gate Park's Rainbow
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Fall Coastal Hikes Guide

POST's Guide to the Best Coastal Walks

Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST) is ready to fill your fall with bluffside trails, tranquil beaches, whale watching, a haunted distillery, and seasonal sweet treats.
POST's Coastal Hiking Guide

Good Trolls

See the Trolls art exhibit in Woodside at Historic Filoli Gardens

At the intersection of art, nature, and history is Filoli in Woodside. Walk the historic gardens and mansion area, enjoy a half-mile redwoods hike, and visit with the new trolls, as in the TROLLS: Save the Humans art exhibit.
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Screaming Good Garden

Screaming Good Garden

Combine a classic scary movie backdrop and life-size elephant garden sculptures in beautiful downtown Sonoma.
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Trending Stories NorCal

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  1. Three Cheers

    Good things come in threes when you visit Sonoma. Head out on a short hike right from town, sip and stroll the historic plaza, then take in the magical holiday lights.

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  2. Island Tree Topper

    The light display atop Angel Island State Park’s Mount Livermore has long been a cheerful twinkle visible from many cities throughout the Bay Area on holiday season nights. Get into the festive spirit by hiking the 2-mile (one-way) trail from Ayala Cove up to the "Angel Lights."

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  3. Go, Tell It on the Mountain

    {NOTE: Due to atmospheric rivers that can come this time of year, always be sure to check ahead for trail closures and hazards. And of course, wait for better weather and drier con

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  4. Serene Las Gallinas

    A serene stroll alongside marshland, passing ponds and grasses frilled in seasonal wildflowers, with Mount Tam a beacon in the background … how nice. As part of the esteemed Bay Trail, San Rafael’s Las Gallinas Valley Birding Loop and Wildlife Ponds comprises about 3.5 miles of wide-open trail.

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Trending Stories SoCal

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  1. Woman swimming in Carson Hotsprings natural thermal pool

    Hot Springs, Naturally

    Thermal spring waters are famous for their curative, relaxing elements, and Reno Tahoe is filled with them! Sink into these amazing thermal respites for a wellness super soak.

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  2. Dune It Right

    Want a beach that will really get you away from it all? Monterey's Fort Ord Dunes State Park is just the ticket. And it often glows golden toward sunset.

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  3. Sponsored

    Redding Lights and Silent Nights

    Give your holiday events calendar a major glow up this winter in California’s sunniest city. Redding is a revelation: Surrounded by iconic scenery like Mount Shasta, Lassen Volcanic National Park, and Whiskeytown National Recreation Area.

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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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