All in Northern CA

  1. Short Hikes to Waterfalls

    The rain this winter has kept everyone on their toes. And the silver lining: waterfall flows! Here are three short hikes to under-the-radar waterfalls that are in best form during winter, after heavy rain.

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  2. Wildlife Hikes for Winter

    Word to the wild! Winter’s one of the best times for spotting seals, whales, and birds on a hike. From Año Nuevo to Palo Alto, here are three hikes for seeing wildlife in winter.

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  3. Romance Outdoors

    Happy Valentine's Day! Grab your favorite person or people and head outside to spread the love. XO, Weekend Sherpa

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  4. Sponsored

    Extra-Celestial Central Oregon

    Some trips promise you the moon and the stars. And this one delivers in a big way, plus throws in some extra planets for your viewing pleasure. From Bend, Sunriver, and Sisters to Antelope Basecamp in the remote high desert.

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  5. Hike-In-Picnics

    Valentine’s Day is on its way—in a pinch for a plan? Go on a picnic! But not just any picnic: a hike-in picnic! Grab your favorite person (or people) and hike to any of these sweet picnic spots in the North Bay.

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  6. Snowshoe Hikes

    The simplicity of snowshoeing meets the epic snowfall in Lake Tahoe! Strap 'em on and head out in wintry Sierra bliss on any of these snowshoe hikes. Oh the places you’ll snow!

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  7. Winter Wanders

    Coastal redwoods, a ridgetop rambler in Napa, and a hidden waterfall ... winter is a wander-land in Northern California! From the San Mateo Coast to Napa and the Sierra foothills, here are three ways to get out hiking this winter.

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  8. Celestial Hikes

    Feeling all starry eyed about 2019? No wonder! This year is going to be a bonanza of celestial events, starting with the super blood wolf moon on January 20. Also coming: 4 more eclipses, 3 supermoons, 1 blue moon, multiple meteor showers and … you get it. So mark your calendar and make some plans: Here are three Bay Area spots to celebrate the wonders of space, stars, the moon, and planets.

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  9. Here We Snow!

    Snow doubt about it, Tahoe is going to have an active winter season! But it's not all about the downhill skiing. Snowshoeing, sledding, and cross-country gliding are also fun ways to explore the region and see Big Blue! Here are a few ideas to get you snowing.

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  10. Nice View!

    Out with the old, in with the new year. Gaining a fresh perspective (and a nice view!) is as easy as visiting the coast, hiking the East Bay hills, or checking out a newly imagined museum set among redwoods. 2019 is already looking good!

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  11. 2018's Top 10 Adventures in Northern California

    New year's resolution: get outdoors more! Sounds good to us. We've rounded up some favorite adventures from 2018. Whether you check off one of these adventures or all ten, it's a great way to start the new year. Happy 2019!

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  12. Ho Ho Hike!

    Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! In between eggnogs and cheery talk about politics, do something everyone can agree is a good thing: hike! Ho ho out you go.

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  13. Holiday Hikes and Rides!

    Ho ho, happy holidays. Keep things merry and bright this season with an urban wine pedal, a mistletoe hike, and a hike or bike among chestnuts and pines. Deck the trails!

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  14. Un-Wined in Anderson Valley

    Anderson Valley has become a go-to destination for outstanding wines in a charmed yet down-to-earth setting. The rolling vineyards glow in winter’s low-sitting sun, there's a state park with ancient redwoods, and the wineries see fewer folks this time of year: that's more pinot pours for you! Here's an Anderson Valley winter escape plan. Cheers!

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  15. Sponsored

    Extra-Celestial Central Oregon

    Some trips promise you the moon and the stars. And this one delivers in a big way, plus throws in some extra planets for your viewing pleasure. From Bend, Sunriver, and Sisters to Antelope Basecamp in the remote high desert.

    View
  16. Rain or Shine Outdoors

    Hooray for rain! The fires are out, the air is clear, and you can still get outdoors to explore. From a waterfall to a San Francisco hike through a mystic forest, and a shortened version of a classic on Mount Tam, here are three great ways to get outside ... rain or shine.

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  17. After the Feast

    November hasn't been easy. Thank you to the heroic firefighters, first responders, and volunteers who have been giving tirelessly and selflessly to those in need. As the saying goes, "The Love in the Air is Thicker Than the Smoke." Here are a few easy outings for spending time with family and friends over Thanksgiving.

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  18. Comfort Hikes

    We're thinking about all of the people affected by the wildfires across the state. While these easy hikes may not clear the air, hopefully they can help to clear your mind. We are #CaliforniaStrong.

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  19. Waterside Wanders

    It's a bit too early to chase waterfalls, but the time's just right to go on a waterside wander. Whether it's a lake, a reservoir, or a quiet bay, here are three trails perfect for fall.

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  20. Five Fall Hikes

    Pumpkin spice your hiking life. From sunset strolls to redwood rambles and waterside wanders, these five hikes have it fall.

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  21. Ghosts of SF's Great Outdoors

    Wanna give your boo some boo? Scare up a romantic weekend in SF with these three outdoor excursions that are full of charm, with a hint of haunted ...

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  22. What's New? These Adventures!

    There's just something about that new car smell. Same goes for these fresh adventures. From Tahoe's recently opened Via Ferrata to finding UC Berkeley’s hidden spots, plus a blue whale sighting in SF, here's what's new to do!

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A Hiker looking over a mountain range

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  1. Woman walking down the stairs overlooking the ocean on the Coastal Trail in San Francisco

    America's Best Urban Hike

    Long ago we dubbed it the “Grand Walk” and said it was one of the most scenic and stunning trails in the West. We were wrong. This is the most scenic urban hike in America!

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  2. Hike or Bike the Skyline

    A new section of the Bay Area Ridge Trail is open for biking, hiking, or horseback riding along the 12-mile (out-and-back) Skyline Watershed Ridge Trail.

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  3. Woman riding a bike on the the Vine Trail in Napa Valley

    Through the Grapevine

    Cycle California’s most famous wine valley on the car-free Vine Trail, an ambitious project going through the heart of Napa Valley. Park your car and ride 6 miles from Napa to Yountville for lunch.

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  1. Stars, Steaks, and Strange Brews

    Forget Michelin stars. Deep in Oregon's high desert, legendary Cowboy Dinner Tree is destination dining at its most deliciously down-to-earth, well worth the required reservation and desert drive to reach it.

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  2. Outback to the Future

    Some must-see destinations are written in the stars. Deep in Oregon's remote southern high desert lies the largest certified International Dark Sky Sanctuary on the planet. With 2.5 million acres of protected dark skies, you get the best of the celestial out here in what's known as the Oregon Outback, including geothermal soaks and an incredible playa that's a hidden gem.

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  3. Sponsored

    Extra-Celestial Central Oregon

    Some trips promise you the moon and the stars. And this one delivers in a big way, plus throws in some extra planets for your viewing pleasure. From Bend, Sunriver, and Sisters to Antelope Basecamp in the remote high desert.

    View