Five Natural Bridges to See this Spring

Natural bridges are wondrous on their own, but when the coast is clear and the supporting scenery includes things such as sea stars, wildflowers, and dramatic nearby formations, well, spring it on! From Mendocino and the Sonoma Coast, to Santa Cruz, the desert, and a stellar point beyond, here are five of nature's best bridge and rock formations.

Week: 04.10.2024
Regions: Northern CA

Heads Up, Headlands!

Hiking Along the Mendocino Headlands State Park

woman hiking the Mendocino Headlands State Park
Mendocino Headlands State Park
woman hiking at Mendocino Headlands State Park
Mendocino Headlands State Park
There’s one thing that’s pretty much mandatory when you visit Mendocino and that’s a hike along the famous bluffs. The trail system at Mendocino Headlands State Park is vast, surrounding the village and meandering for miles, with sweeping sea panoramas.
Read the full story

2024 Wildflower Walks Guide

Get POST's 2024 Wildflower Walks Guide

After spring rain … comes a rainbow of wildflowers! And the Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST) is sharing the best places for seeing bountiful blossoms in their complimentary 2024 Wildflower Walks Guide.
POST's 2024 Wildflower Guide

Can You Keep a Secret?

Hike to Secret Beach and Visit Natural Bridges on the Oregon Coast

Two hikers making their way down to Secret Beach on the Southern Oregon Coast
Natural Bridges on the Oregon Coast
Two friends walking together on the sand at Secret Beach
Two people sitting on the beach overlooking the estuary and ocean at Secret Beach on the Oregon Coast
The Southern Oregon Coast's Samuel H. Boardman Scenic Corridor between Gold Beach and Brookings has so many sights to see, it’s hard to know where to spend your time. We like this trio of suggestions because you can do them as a three-in-a-row jackpot of coastal wonders.
Read the full story

Au Natural

Hike to Natural Bridge in Death Valley National Park

Natural Bridge is a short, sweet canyon hike in Death Valley National Park with—you guessed it—a natural bridge formation that’s wholly unique for being, well, rough around the edges.
Read the full story

Sea-sonal Wonders

Tidepool and See Migrating Wildlife at Natural Bridges State Beach in Santa Cruz

You’ll need to go during low tides to safely enjoy tidepooling at Natural Bridges State Beach in Santa Cruz. As its name suggests, the beach has a natural arch and is an excellent spot for an intertidal adventure.
Read the full story

Goat for It!

Goat Rock Beach in Jenner on the Sonoma Coast and at Sonoma Coast State Beach

Behold the glorious Sonoma Coast, underrated sibling to Big Sur. Dozens of accessible pocket beaches pop up all along this dramatic stretch of northern California that's perfect for pictures. Most photogenic of them all? Goat Rock Beach, a sub-unit of Sonoma Coast State Park in J
Read the full story

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Sponsored

    Reno Mountain High

    Take your vacation to new heights with some of the season’s most original events, and plenty of outdoors to explore. Fall for it all in Reno Tahoe.

    View

  2. Walk on the Wise Side

    A wise man once said, “Walk it off.” And San Francisco has just the place for a colorful walk via a 2.7-mile loop along Philosopher’s Way Trail in the 318-acre John McLaren Park (S

    View
  3. Hiker on the SCA trail in Marin Headlands with view of the Golden Gate Bridge

    Headlands Over Heels

    People come from all over the world to get a glimpse of the Golden Gate Bridge. Get a dramatic and novel view of the bridge without all the people on this moderate 6-mile hike in the Marin Headlands.

    View

  4. Greater by the Dozen

    This hike is anything but a dime a dozen. The all-new "Golden Gate Dozen Trail" links 12 National Park sites on a spectacular 13-mile journey across San Francisco's coastline.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories

  1. Can We Get a Whoop Whoop!

    City, mountain, and ocean views all in one hike? Whoop whoop! It’s no surprise the the Kenter Fire Road and Whoop-de-Doos Trail (a combo of fire road and singletrack) is a favorite among local mountain bikers and hikers alike.

    View

  2. The Big Chill

    In LA, finding a place to chill can be the ultimate flex. So flex, in Franklin Canyon! This unexpected oasis has plenty of shade, cool lake breezes, and ample picnicking spots. Enjoy it on an easy-going 1-mile stroll along its reservoir and duck pond.

    View

  3. Holcomb We Haven't Camped Here?

    Holcomb Valley Campground in the San Bernardino National Forest has 19 pine-shaded sites, all of them first-come, first-served.

    View

  4. Waterfall Hunter

    If you ask a local in Reno about one of the best hiking trails in town, odds are high they’ll point you to Hunter Creek Falls. It’s a year-round favorite, but it absolutely shines in spring, when desert peach wildflowers make a splash—and so does the marquee waterfall.

    View