All in Northern CA
Field Trips For All
This fall, take a fun field trip for all. The Bay Area has all kinds of ways to combine the outdoors with seeing beautiful art and learning some less known history. From an outstanding museum and ice skate rink that's all about Charlie Brown and the Peanuts crew, to taking an old-fashioned steam train in the redwoods, and getting your heart pumping with beautiful murals and famous San Francisco vistas, here are three amazing ways to learn in (and from!) nature.
VIEWSplendor in Sequoia's Redwoods
California’s first national park positively beams with beauty, in large part because of its famous big trees. The forest here is filled with Sequoia trees, big red beauties rising toward the sky like ancient columns. From the otherworldly Stump Trail to a twofer of trails where you can find tranquility, plus where to sleep under the majesty, take this giant leap in early autumn!
VIEWBig & Beautiful in the Great Artdoors
The Bay Area outdoors always brings big beauty to its parks and gardens, with creative and colorful art exhibits and installations in rotations or permanently in place for people to visit and enjoy. Right now, there are three big deals in the great artdoors here! From giant good trolls in the South Bay to a major sea serpent in the City and two big new additions in the hamlet of Sonoma, here are three to see this fall!
VIEW- Sponsored
Fall Coastal Hikes Guide
Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST) is ready to fill your fall with bluffside trails, tranquil beaches, whale watching, a haunted distillery, and seasonal sweet treats.
View Relaxing Redwood Rambles
Getting out into nature is a good way to relax, and our Bay Area redwoods bring that extra bit of magic with their resiliency and awe-inspiring beauty. From the South Bay to the North Bay, here are some less-known redwood hikes and bike rides that can bring some tranquility to your day.
VIEWSublime at Sunset
There's a bright side to autumn's dwindling daylight. Sunsets churn some of their finest golden hues across horizons. From an open space of small summits to a campground on the coast, and one of the finest urban walks in the world, here are three ways to enjoy the gold rush of autumn in the Bay Area.
VIEWFall for These Beaches
Summer may be over, but in California beach season never really ends, with plenty to enjoy year-round for walking, wildlife watching, and wowing sunsets.
VIEWYou're on a Boat!
Now is a nice time of year to get out on the lake, and these three oases let you rent a boat and paddle—or pedal—amid tranquil surroundings and the spontaneous delights of nature. Bonus: they all offer some nice on-shore adventures, too. Whatever floats your boat.
VIEWFive Fabulous Adventures for Labor Day
As the long weekend arrives it’s a reminder that our summer Adventure Challenge is soon coming to a close: there’s just a few weeks left to submit your outdoor adventure pics to us in exchange for a custom WS t-shirt, a mountain accessory bag from Topo Designs, and a chance to win a trip for 2 to Reno Tahoe. Need some ideas for this weekend? Check out these five fabulous options.
VIEWBest of Summer
It's hard to say goodbye...summer days may be coming to a close, but there's still time to get out on some of the season's most popular adventures in Weekend Sherpa. Here's a roundup of some of what you all liked best.
VIEWReno Tahoe Great Eight
We’re halfway through our 2025 Adventure Challenge, and if you haven’t done so yet, you can still get our custom t-shirt, a Topo Designs mountain accessory bag, and be entered to win a trip for 2 to beautiful Reno Tahoe! Speaking of Reno Tahoe—from peak hikes and waterfalls to bike rides by the lake and craft brew patio pit stops, here are 8 great ways to raise your getaway game.
VIEWLakeside Hike-ins and Campsites
Hiking, lakeside lounging, starry night campsites: that’s some California dreamy. From hike-ins to lakes in El Dorado National Forest and Tahoe, to a first-come, first-served campground in the Sierra Nevada's Lakes Basin, here are three ways to enjoy overnight oasis escapes.
VIEWNewly Opened at CA National Parks
What’s new at CA national parks? How about Sequoia’s newly re-opened cave tours; a sulfur spectacle that just opened for the season (and rivals Yellowstone); an overnight escape to “reset” in Joshua Tree; and a new San Francisco picnic space in the Presidio. That’s some good new!
VIEWLess-Traveled National Park Peak Hikes
During the peak of summer, tackle some national park peaks that are less-traveled and utterly spectacular. From the largest dome volcano in the world (right here in California!) to the only national park peak in Nevada, plus a Yosemite gem that’s marvelous near sunset, here are three summits to sum up the height of summer.
VIEW- Sponsored
Fall Coastal Hikes Guide
Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST) is ready to fill your fall with bluffside trails, tranquil beaches, whale watching, a haunted distillery, and seasonal sweet treats.
View How Do You Lake It?
Reservoirs and lakes feel like the very definition of summer. Whether you're hiking, biking, camping or finding a perfect place for a picnic, here are three great places for a fantastic lake escape.
VIEWThrowing Shade
When summer heats hits, these hikes and bike rides throw some shade (the cool kind) thanks to sections of trail with towering firs, redwoods, and eucalyptus trees.
VIEWGo Outside and Get This Custom T-shirt
Do our 2025 Adventure Challenge! This summer, do ANY 3 activities you find on our website and get our custom t-shirt, a Topo Designs Mountain Accessory Bag and more, as your reward! Want a few quick ideas to get you going? We've got you covered.
VIEWSummer 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!
VIEWThe Weekend Sherpa Adventure Challenge Is On!
It's back! The 2025 Weekend Sherpa Adventure Challenge is on. Get outside and get a complimentary Adventure Challenge t-shirt and Topo Designs mountain accessory bag.
VIEWBay-Yeah!
At 400 miles long (and growing!) the Bay Area Ridge Trail will ultimately connect all 9 counties on one continuous trail. Here are three ways to hike sections of this expansive gem, from a new segment, to an urban classic, and a Peninsula refresher.. Bay-yeah!
VIEWRoad Trip Ready
Now is a good time to start planning a road trip with cabin or camping treasures and a variety of outdoor experiences in California and the West. Here are six ideas to get you inspired and planning.
VIEW
Fall Coastal Hikes Guide
Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST) is ready to fill your fall with bluffside trails, tranquil beaches, whale watching, a haunted distillery, and seasonal sweet treats.
POST's Coastal Hiking Guide
Your Inbox to the Outdoors
Stay up to date with our weekly recommendations on where to explore locally in California.