All "Hikes" Stories in Northern CA

Simply Suttonfield
Tucked in charming Glen Ellen and accessed via a pullout parking area along Arnold Drive, Lake Suttonfield pours on the charm with an easygoing 2-mile trail loop around it.
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Gone Bananas!
It’s banana slug season in the Bay Area, and one of the best places to see these mighty mollusks is on this 4.7-mile loop through Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve.
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Salmon on the Rebound
The return of salmon to Marin County creeks is one of nature’s most intriguing seasonal events, an inspiring sight to behold; but it takes patience, laser focus, and the help of fellow hikers also on the lookout for this special show, happening now! So, where can you currently see them? ...
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POST's 2024 Hiking Calendar
Ready to start the new year on the right foot? Get POST's complimentary 2024 hiking calendar and you'll be inspired with a great local hike every month of the year.
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Misty on Mount Tam
Mount Tam’s 3.9-mile round-trip Steep Ravine and Dipsea Trail Loop weathers the wets and wilds with some confidence, sheltered in parts by redwoods, and wowing with a waterfall.
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Bodega's Beautiful Bird Walk
Bodega Bay may be best known as the backdrop for Alfred Hitchcock’s famous movie The Birds, but there’s a softer side to its dramatic coastline. The Bird Walk Coastal Access Trail loops around two ponds and provides a bird’s–eye view of serene Bodega Bay.
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Pleasanton Surprise
Huge views and fiery fall colors await just minutes away from downtown Pleasanton on this 7-mile hike through Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park.
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Not Your Garden Variety Botanical Garden
Fort Bragg’s Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens makes a splash in more ways than its fabulous flora. Its 47 acres include a stunning bluff-side hiking trail overlooking the Pacific, where cliffs drop dramatically to the wild waves below.
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Bluffing Good Time
Accessible right from town, a bluff-side walk at Mendocino Headlands State Park is pretty much mandatory. The marquee trails here overlook not just the charming hamlet of Mendocino, but also the dramatic coastal scenery from the bluffs.
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Beach to Town by Hidden Stairway
A hidden stairway makes this adventure as easy and fun as a walk on the beach. Thank Beth’s Stairs, a hidden wooden staircase connecting Big River Beach in Mendocino Headlands State Park to the charming town of Mendocino.
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London Calling
The writer Jack London was known for his adventure stories, and an autumn hike at his namesake state park in Sonoma Valley illuminates more than his career. Eucalyptus, oaks, sprawling vineyards, and brilliant redwoods are part of the autumn magic amid the rich history of the park.
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Golden Vista
This 4.5-mile loop through Sierra Vista Open Space Preserve includes beautiful vista points, seasonal tarantula sightings, and an epic grand finale sunset spot!
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Tombstones and Tarantulas
Forget black cats; a randy tarantula crossing your path can really get your heart racing. So can spirits in a cemetery! Visit Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve and learn about these misunderstood spiders, plus pay a visit to the Rose Hill Cemetery, where ghosts are said to exist.
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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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Path of History Walk (+ Food Bonuses)
Monterey’s 2-mile yellow tiled, multilingual Path of History is a do-it-yourself stroll among some of the area’s most interesting, beautiful, and culturally significant sites, including through the Old Town, past Mexican-era adobes, and to the beautiful Royal Presidio Chapel.
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Hike Elkhorn Slough Reserve
Elkhorn Slough Reserve is one of California’s few remaining coastal wetlands. Go on a hike and marvel at one of the state's largest coastal salt marshes, a valued habitat for birds, plant life, sea otters, and marine mammals.
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Paso-lutely!
Ready to for a road trip? For extra autumn magic, head to Paso Robles for historic lodges, marquee wine country, and unfussy outdoors.
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Saratoga Small Wonder
Saratoga Quarry Park features beautiful views, ample picnic space, a labyrinth, and plenty of kid-friendly activities, all within a 2-mile loop.
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Coastal Hikes Guide for Fall
Ready to fill your fall walks with secluded beaches, towering redwoods, whale sightings, and fresh food? Get coasting! Peninsula Open Space Trust has just released their Coastal Hikes Guide.
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Biking the Best of Livermore Valley
A perfect day is just a bike ride away in Livermore Valley. From wine pours and beer tastings to BMX courses to sandy beaches, it all goes down smooth on two wheels with this 13-mile hidden gem of a loop through Livermore and Pleasanton.
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