Urban and Wild!

Some of the best hikes happen right in city limits. These three outdoor escapes are in urban spaces yet bring a faraway feeling because of their natural wild wonders—from lush forest to wildlands with mountain views, and a peak offering iconic scenery.

Week: 05.18.2022
Regions: Northern CA

Santa Teresa Serenity

Hike a scenic loop at Santa Teresa County Park in San Jose

Hiker on a bench overlooking the vast scenery of mountains at Santa Teresa County Park in San Jose
Hiker posing for the camera on a trail at Santa Teresa County Park in San Jose
Mountain biker on a wide open trail at Santa Teresa County Park in San Jose
Wide and winding trail at Santa Teresa County Park in San Jose
Santa Teresa County Park offers wooded trails, stunning views, and an up-close look at ranch life, all without ever leaving San Jose. This 3.7-mile loop is a breath of fresh air.
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San Francisco's Middle Earth

Hiking San Francisco's Mount Sutro

Hiker in the forest at Mount Sutro in San Francisco
Hiker going up stairs to enter Mount Sutro in San Francisco
Hiker on a trail at Mount Sutro in San Francisco
Hiker looking up at trees in Mount Sutro San Francisco
No need to travel to New Zealand to visit Middle Earth. San Francisco’s Mount Sutro Open Space is practically Hobbiton—a hidden “shire” in the middle of the city. Okay, maybe not quite as magical, but still an incredible place to take a hike in city limits.
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Panorama Bonanza

Hike to Panoramic Ridge above Berkeley for iconic views of the Bay Area

Bring the dog, bag a peak, and get an impressive two-bridge view on a lollipop loop hike that includes the San Francisco skyline. Claremont Canyon Regional Preserve—high in the hills above Berkeley—has 208 acres of peaks and valleys, including the 3.4-mile (round-trip) Stonewall-
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  2. Field of Light at Sensorio in Paso Robles

    Light This Way

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    Switchbacks and Swimming Holes

    Hike hard, play hard! This 7-mile out-and-back in Cull Canyon Regional Recreation Area is a great workout with payoff vistas and a relaxing post-hike picnic and dip in the water.

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  4. Roaring Good Time

    There’s nothing quite like the majestic beauty of California’s redwood forests. Now, imagine experiencing those towering giants aboard a historic 19th-century steam train. Roaring Camp Railroads in Felton is home to some of the oldest and most authentically preserved narrow-gauge steam engines in America.

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    Zen & the Art of Kayaking

    It’s the most meditative and relaxing experience you’ll ever have on a kayak. Yes, you read that right, a Zen experience on a kayak. It all happens in beautiful Klamath County when you head out on a guided tour with Sky Lakes Wilderness Adventures.

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  3. Two people fly fishing on the Truckee River with guides from Reno Fly Shop

    Zen and the Art of Fly Fishing

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    This Way to Oxbow and Dickerson Road

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