All "Water" Stories in Northern CA

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  Mesa's Magical

  If the Pacific Ocean and Channel Islands views don’t take your breath away, these 242 steps will. Mesa Lane boasts Santa Barbara’s longest and most aesthetic staircase, descending

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  Thousand Steps Beach

  Okay, the name is a bit of an exaggeration—it takes only 154 steps to reach Santa Barbara's Thousand Steps Beach (also known as Camino al Mar, Spanish for “the way to the sea”). Bu

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  Give Me More Mesa

  A typical beach routine: Drive to a parking lot, haul out your cooler, traipse across the asphalt to the sand. Want more out of the experience? Then head to More Mesa and its view-

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  Simply Putah-ful

  Immortalized in Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Green River,” Yolo County’s Putah Creek is proof that some legends never dry! Its snaking banks still teem with underrated bayou cha

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  Cool Pool Party

  Spending the day at the Garden of Eden in Santa Cruz is accepting an invitation to nature’s most popular pool party. Bring a picnic and pool floats, and swim and lounge in the sun—

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  Cull Canyon Cooldown

  Home to shaded trails, shallow creek crossings, ridge-top breezes, and a 1.5-acre white sand swimming lagoon, Cull Canyon Regional Recreation Area is a local’s summer playground. T

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  Lighthouse at the end of the Tunnel

  Round up the best of the Marin Headlands on this 8-mile loop alongside dramatic coastline, jutting cliffs, and iconic Golden Gate vistas to 160-year-old Point Bonita Lighthouse. Be

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  Gaviota Wind Caves

  Gaviota State Park is home to the 3-mile out-and-back Gaviota Wind Caves Trail, with over 600 feet in elevation gain, unique topography, seasonal wildflowers, and incredible ocean views.

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  Sea Life

  Hundreds of dolphins and whales have been sighted in Monterey Bay since mid-June, and with huge populations of California sea lions, southern sea otters, and harbor seals frequenti

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  Gaviota Hidden Hot Springs

  Whether you need to relax after summiting Gaviota Peak in Gaviota State Park, or just prefer a quick, scenic destination hike, Gaviota Hot Springs is well worth the $2 parking fee.

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  Gaviota Peak

  Some of the best coastal views in the Golden State don’t come easy, but the payoff makes up for the challenge! Head for Gaviota State Park’s headlining hike, Gaviota Peak. It’s a 6

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  Beerland

  Looking for true hoppiness? The Santa Cruz Beer Trail has microbrews popping up all over town, and makes a great thirst-quencher post outdoor adventure. (For the best savings and d

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  Surfwood's Up!

  MacKerricher State Park in Mendocino County delivers nine miles of diverse coastline and a seaside gem for spending the night: Surfwood Campground is a laid-back oasis with 45 lush coastal campsites—including 10 secluded walk-ins.

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  Ohh, Gualala

  Coastal camping just got cozy in Sonoma County. Enjoy the sea breeze and take refuge from it too at Gualala Point Regional Park Campground, where 18 sites sit shaded beneath a rich

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  Just Dune It!

  Coastal wildflowers are still going strong at Manchester State Park in Mendocino County, where dune-top hiking trails colored in baby blue eyes and purple lupine dance across the n

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  Secret Booty

  It’s hard to say what’s better: the hike to Pirate’s Cove, or Pirate’s Cove itself. Tucked between Tennessee Beach and Muir Beach on the Marin coast, Pirate’s Cove is a rugged little beach with a colorful past. And it’s only accessible by hiking in.

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  Goat for It!

  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 fo

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  Secret Redwoods + Camping by the River

  Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park is a little-known gem where skyscraping reds (the tallest living trees in the world!) fly under the radar. Grizzly’s ironically small size and location off the beaten path provide near total seclusion, not to mention relaxing camping!

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  Caves, Waves, and a Greenroom

  Etched into volcanic rock awhirl with swooping brown pelicans, sea caves make for dramatic echo chambers, hissing with foam and swelling with ocean waves. And you, in the thick of

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  Cavern Point Loop

  One of Santa Cruz Island’s most accessible trails is all about the essential elements: The 2-mile Cavern Point Loop Trail will get your eyes jazzed on vivid sea vistas as it traces

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