All in Northern CA

  1. Man hiking up a trail at Montara Mountain, with a view of the Pacific and Grey Whale sand beach in the background

    Hikes to Clear the Cobwebs

    Who needs some fresh air? Thanks to various organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area, these hikes are a vital part of lands saved from development and turned into nature havens for people and wildlife.

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  2. Spidey Senses!

    Happy Halloween. We’re debunking the myth of one creepie crawly, the tarantula. Often called the gentle giants of the arachnid world, tarantulas are important to the ecosystem, and this time of year you have a good chance of seeing some on any of these three autumn-filled hikes with beautiful views.

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  3. State of Bliss

    Take a trip to the high desert this fall … the high desert you might not know but truly should! Washington State’s sunny and arid eastern side—from Wenatchee through Lake Chelan to the Methow Valley, bordered by North Cascades National Park—is an absolute revelation. Relish the apple capital of the world, the mountainous landscapes, rolling vineyards, pristine lakes, rivers, and waterfalls, and spirited small towns brimming with cuisine, art, and culture. Just a few hours east of Seattle, here’s a road trip itinerary to see this hidden gem of Washington State.

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    Hidden Gems of Reno Tahoe

    Step into a land where adventure meets relaxation. Reno Tahoe is where the spirit of the great outdoors and the energy of vibrant city life inspire you to live with no limits.

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  5. Fall-filling Bike Rides in the Bay Area

    Rolling with the fall season is eye candy for those who like earthy neutrals and crisp air. From redwood grove picnic stops, to wineries, farmstands, and restaurants, these three bike rides in the Bay Area are absolutely fall-filling.

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  6. Woman and her dog walking by Lake Lagunitas

    Quiet Hikes

    A quiet walk in nature is always a good idea. Clear your head and appreciate the beauty of the outdoors on any of these three hikes.

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  7. Woman Walking down stairs to a beach called Cowell Ranch State Beach

    Nature's Stairways

    We're stair-ing at you! The San Francisco Bay Area has an abundance of beautiful hikes with natural stairways built into nature, to help us all step up to brilliant panoramas. Here are three that look out to the sea...

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  8. Hike Olompali State Historic Park

    First Fall Hikes

    Summer has felt like a long goodbye and now autumn yields beautiful light and changing colors. Here are three suggestions on where to go for that first hike of the fall season.

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  9. Panoramas and SF's Great Artdoors

    Next time you want an art and culture fix, step outside. There are some beautiful parks in San Francisco with interesting, inspiring, and thoughtful works, from murals to sculptures (including at a new public park) well worth a visit to see. The great artdoors awaits.

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  10. To the Lighthouse!

    To the lighthouse! But not just any lighthouse. These three lighthouses have everything from unique histories and spectacular whale watching spots, to beautifully appointed overnight accommodations, live music concerts, and paranormal activity. Lights are on!

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  11. Sky Shows

    Look up! Starry nights bring a bright side to the days’ getting shorter. And these local hikes and prominent parks shine as places to celebrate the wonders of space, stars, the moon, and planets.

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  12. Long Live Summer!

    As we approach the final stretch of summer, savor the good stuff. These popular summer adventures made a lasting impression, and can help make your summer last just a little bit longer...

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  13. Whale What Do We Have Here?

    Usually it’s migrating gray whales that are the star sightings on the California coast, but recently humpback whales are appearing quite close to shore here in the Bay Area, as they feast on fish. Who knows how much longer the buffet will last, but there are some great hikes where you might get bonus humpback whale sightings in the next week or so… go big!

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  14. No Reservations Camping and Backpacking

    Some camping and backpacking spots hit their stride in later summer, and don't require a reservation, just good timing, planning, and a little luck. From a backpacking adventure to a shimmering lake in Tahoe National Forest, to walk-in gems on the Sonoma Coast and a few first-come, first-served sites under a canopy of redwoods in Anderson Valley, these camp spots are ready if you are. Campface!

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  15. Sponsored
    2025-03-26

    Hidden Gems of Reno Tahoe

    Step into a land where adventure meets relaxation. Reno Tahoe is where the spirit of the great outdoors and the energy of vibrant city life inspire you to live with no limits.

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  16. Picnic With a View

    Room with a view, table with a view... picnic with a view! These three picnic (and BBQ) spots in the North Bay will elevate your charcuterie game.

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  17. Sunsets & Stargazing

    Look up! Summer nights are some of the best for lingering sunsets and stargazing glories. We've rounded up a backpacking beach trip, an observatory star party, and a prime city-to-sea vantage for observing sunsets and celestial events, including the Perseid meteor shower (peaking August 11).

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  18. Wild Wonders of California

    Desert, forest, city, coast—four of the Golden State’s most wild, dynamic, and resilient ecosystems—are featured in California: State of Nature, a new exhibition at the California Academy of Sciences. We’re sharing some of the best places for outdoor adventures in these ecosystems, and providing a peek inside the exhibition. Plus enter for a complimentary 2-Night Getaway on California’s “secret coast" and 4 tickets to the CA Academy of Sciences!

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  19. Redwoods to Wildflowers

    Mid-summer break: Stop and smell the flowers, see the forest for the trees. These three hikes feature some of the Bay Area’s most iconic flora—from redwoods to roses, even some summer wildflowers ... with beautiful vistas too!

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  20. Where to Camp in CA: Part 2

    It's not easy getting the good stuff for camping, but with some planning ahead, or some luck with first come, first serves, it can be a magical experience. Here's our recommendations on where to sleep under the stars, and near the water, in California.

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  21. 4th Shore!

    Happy 4th! Mother Nature sure cranked the heat for this one. So your best bet might be to head for the shore … here are a few WS favorite coastal excursions.

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  22. Woman taking a photo on a bike path

    Waterside Rides

    Waterside bike rides come in all types thanks to Northern California’s dynamic environments. From a bike-in beach to bike rides by beautiful Bair Island and iconic Golden Gate views, here are three ways to pedal down by the bay, the sea, or the slough!

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  1. All right, Almaden!

    Take a trip through time on this 5-mile loop in Almaden Quicksilver County Park. Explore the ruins of an old cinnabar mine and enjoy the first hints of wildflower season.

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  2. Waterfalls and Wine Pours

    Cooler temps, green hills, and the return of our magnificent waterfalls! This family-friendly 2-mile hike at Uvas Canyon County Park in Morgan Hill is a great way to get the most out of a short hike post-rain.

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  3. Woman hiker is climbing up the ladder in the Steep Ravine section of the Dipsea Loop Trail on Mount Tam

    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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  4. Mile-Long Cataract Club

    In winter after heavy rains, the north flank of Mount Tam glows with flows. The nearly mile-long series of waterfalls—Cataract Falls—transforms into a supercharged spectacle. Starting at Alpine Dam, a 1.6 mile (one-way) narrow trails threads through redwoods and ferns along Cataract Creek.

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  1. Sponsored

    Hidden Gems of Reno Tahoe

    Step into a land where adventure meets relaxation. Reno Tahoe is where the spirit of the great outdoors and the energy of vibrant city life inspire you to live with no limits.

    View
  2. Peace Labyrinth

    Hidden in LA’s historic West Adams district, the Peace Awareness Labyrinth & Gardens is a welcome respite from the norms of urban noise.

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  3. Weekend Sherpa Podcast: Take It Outside

    Adventure for your earbuds. What's new in the world of the outdoors? Listen to Weekend Sherpa co-founders discuss local hikes, beaches, bike rides, camping spots and all kinds of travel and adventure in California and beyond!

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  4. Hikers sitting on a large rock slab next to Three Sisters Falls in Cleveland National Forest Southern California near Julian

    Three Sisters

    Good things come in threes at this hike to a lovely trio-tiered waterfall in Cleveland National Forest. The 4.25-mile out-and-back hike rambles among rolling hills, with rocky mountain views as switchbacks take you down to a lush canyon and the falls.

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