All "Hikes" Stories in Northern CA

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  Tacoma Time

  Idyllically located on the banks of Puget Sound, Tacoma bustles with abundant outdoors, a lively urban center, and the beautiful Ruston Way Waterfront, which connects downtown to one of America’s preeminent urban parks: Point Defiance Park.

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  The Beauty of Bainbridge Island

  You know a place is special when locals head to it for their in-state vacations. Follow the lead of Seattleites and venture to beautiful Bainbridge Island in the heart of Puget Sound on the Kitsap Peninsula. Hike the Grand Forest here, meet Pia the Peacekeeper, and enjoy tasty food and drinks.

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  Little Norway

  There aren’t many small towns in America that look and feel like Europe, but Washington State sure seems to have a few! Lesser known among them is Poulsbo on the Kitsap Peninsula. Dubbed “Little Norway,” this hamlet on the waterfront of Liberty Bay is charmed with Scandinavian influence.  

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  Go Big in Bremerton

  Make your way to the largest city on the Kitsap Peninsula, Bremerton. Best known for its naval and maritime heritage, there’s also plenty of outdoors to explore, including a hidden treasure within the Puget Sound Basin: the Keta Legacy Foundation Rhododendron Preserve.

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  East Bay Bike With Blossoms

  Spring wildflowers are in full bloom on this 15.5-mile bicycle loop through the East Bay that begins at charming Heather Farm Park and features plenty of scenic highlights.

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  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.

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  Talk of the Town

  We're spilling the tea on this bountiful 5.5-mile loop to Gossip Rock in Hayward’s Garin Regional Park (currently whispering all the right springtime notes).

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  Marin Wildflower Guide!

  Thanks to winter’s wet weather, wildflowers are going to be showstoppers this spring! Get the best in blooms with a complimentary Marin Wildflower Guide.

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  Favorite Spring Color? North Lake Tahoe Blue

  Where do you go to make spring twice as nice? North Lake Tahoe, naturally! Spring here offers perfect pairings that are fun for everyone, like snow sports in the morning followed by a relaxing lakeside afternoon.

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  Double Up on Diablo

  Set the tone for 2024 with this twofer summit hike at Mount Diablo State Park. Embark on a 7-mile out-and-back up Mount Olympia and Diablo’s lesser-known summit, North Peak.

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  Redding to Shake Things Up!

  Go wild on your next group getaway, event, or team trip. All you have to do is take it outside, in Redding! As the sunniest city in California, surrounded by Shasta and Lassen and mountainous Whiskeytown, Redding has everything you need for a meeting of the minds, naturally!

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  Swing into Spring

  Swing into this 7.1-mile hike in the hills of Half Moon Bay! It’s got gorgeous views, fields of spring wildflowers, and a hidden rustic tree swing.

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  Olympic National Park & Forest Lodging Deals!

  Washington State’s Olympic National Park and Olympic National Forest get the gold medal for spring’s best lodging deal. Historic Lake Quinault Lodge—featured on PBS’s “Great Lodges of the National Parks”—is currently offering two nights for the price of one.

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  Kelso Dunes

  The hike to the top of Kelso Dunes in the Mojave National Preserve is only 3 miles (out and back), but you’ll feel like you’ve hiked much farther by the time you’re done.

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  Sunset Hike at Dante's View

  It’s one of the world’s best places to watch a sunset. Dante’s View is a 5,476-foot vantage of the whole southern basin of Death Valley from the top of the Black Mountains. On clear days you get views of both the highest and lowest points in the contiguous U.S. 

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  Starry Night & Dark Sky Adventures

  You don’t have to stay out all that late to experience eminent stargazing at Death Valley National Park. The park's been given the highest ranking of darkness by the International Dark Sky Association. Here are a trio of amazing ways to witness the mesmerizing night sky at Death Valley.

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  Rise and Shine Zabriskie Hike

  The sunrise at Zabriskie Point makes a grand entrance, with the light ascending slowly and washing over the golden badlands. It’s signature Death Valley. It’s also a great starting point for one of the Valley’s marquee hikes.

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  Taking the Stage: Tyler Ranch

  Hike the recently opened Tyler Ranch Staging Area in Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park, with 18 miles of new trails. This 6.5-mile loop up Sunol Peak is a challenge and rewards with exceptional views of seasonal iridescent hills.

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  Sea-sonal Wonders

  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.

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  Sponsored

  Sonoma Valley's 100 Days of Winter Wellness Guide

  This winter wellness plan goes to 100! Nurture yourself in 2024 with Sonoma Valley’s 100 Days of Winter Wellness guide. It’s a perfectly curated array of inspiration and ideas.

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