A group of people clamored around the summit marker at Mission Peak in the Bay Area

Summer Summits

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to reach a summit, any summit; but these three are really great ones (some easy, some more challenging, all banner beautiful). Have a pinnacle summer experience!

Week: 06.24.2025
Regions: Northern CA

Good Heavens

Hike to the Top of Angel Island's Mount Livermore

Hike top Angel Island Mount Livermore San Francisco Bay
A woman hiking up some stairs on a trail at Angel Island State Park
A woman walks along a dirt trail overlooking the Bay at Angel Island State Park
A woman takes in the views o the San Francisco skyline and the Bay Bridge while hiking on Angel Island State Park
The 4-mile hike to the top of Angel Island offers Bay-mazing scenery. Some people claim you get a five-bridge view: Richmond-San Rafael, Bay, Golden Gate, San Mateo-Hayward, and Dumbarton bridges.
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Savor Summer in Paso Robles

Take a Summer Road Trip to Paso Robles

Lake Nacimiento
Lake Nacimiento
Lake Nacimiento
Lake Nacimiento
Ready for the “Great California Road Trip”? Keep it real and rolling in bucolic and beautiful Paso Robles. This down- to-earth destination has everything you need to enjoy the coolest experiences.
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Your Mission Is Less Crowded

Do a less traveled route to Mission Peak in the Bay Area

A group of people clamored around the summit marker at Mission Peak in the Bay Area
Wild turkeys heading up a trail in the Mission Peak region of the Bay Area
A group of friends sitting down and hanging out at the summit of Mission Peak in the Bay Area
Mission Peak is one of the Bay Area’s most popular mountains, with many hikers climbing every weekend. Skip the crowds with this 6-mile loop up the less-traveled southern route.
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Summit Sunset

Sunset Hike to Bald Mountain in Sugarloaf Ridge State Park

Two hikers laughing and taking photos at the sunset at the summit of Bald Mountain in Sugarloaf Ridge State Park
A sunset summit hike doesn’t get better than Bald Mountain in Sonoma's Sugarloaf Ridge State Park. Set in the Mayacamas Mountains, full moon hikes at this park are beautiful too. There's also a chance to get a last minute campsite!
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Trending Stories NorCal

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  1. Napa Valley Paddle kayaker and paddle boarder on the Napa Valley river

    Napa's Wild Side

    It’s wine country’s Amazon. The gentle Napa River is an ecological—and recreational—delight. And Napa Valley Paddle sets you up for maximum enjoyment of this experience.

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  2. Inn-spiration Point!

    For more than a century, people have been hiking or mountain biking to West Point Inn for good reason. Perched at 1,785 feet on the southern slope of Mount Tamalpais, the historic inn has sweeping views from the Marin Headlands to the San Francisco skyline.

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  3. A Thousand Steps to Paradise

    A picture is worth a thousand words, but is a gorgeous beach in Laguna worth a thousand steps? The answer is yes, though the question is moot, because it’s only 223 steep steps down to the 400-yard stretch of sand known as 1000 Steps Beach.

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  4. Hike Mount Tamalpais into Muir Woods

    Muir Woods Through the Backdoor

    A backdoor entrance into Muir Woods? Hike a tranquil trail that starts in Mount Tamalpais State Park and quietly leads into Muir Woods, letting you avoid the busyness of the main parking area.

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Trending Stories SoCal

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  1. There's Always To Moro!

    Looking for a rock-solid itinerary in Sequoia National Park? Pair the park's most famous viewpoint with one that's often overlooked.

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  2. Rancho Style

    Vicente Bluffs Reserve dazzles anytime, but during the golden hour it’s an absolute knockout. Majestic rocky bluffs, dreamy ocean views, and a picturesque lighthouse are just a few of the reasons.

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  3. Sponsored

    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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  4. Hike to the Sierra Buttes Fire Lookout in the Lakes Basin

    Lookout for This View!

    Sierra Buttes Lookout, at a lofty 8,591 feet, is a memory maker for its pucker-worthy stairway to the tower’s balcony. It's a 5-mile (round-trip) hike to reach it. And the reward? Epic!

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