All in Northern CA

Star Wars Adventures
See Yoda in a National Park, You Will: It's the only Bay Area campus in a national park. George Lucas's Letterman Digital Arts Center in San Francisco's Presidio is a great place for a winter afternoon walk among its 23 acres of open space, with postcard views of the Golden Gate Bridge and a chance for a selfie with Yoda, being Yoda, in front of Building B. Walk the Waterfront: The massive white cranes along Oakland's waterfront are known as the inspiration behind the "Imperial Walkers" in George Lucas's Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back. But did you know there's a pristine 38-acre park tucked among these behemoths, with bird watching, beautiful views of the bay, lovely pathways, and restored wetlands? Hike to Blockbuster Views: Back in the '70s George Lucas was best known for making blockbuster movies. But he was also making some blockbuster real estate purchases. Marin's Lucas Valley is home to Skywalker Ranch. See the ranch, the San Francisco skyline—and a whole lot more—on a 5.75-mile loop hike to the high point on Loma Alta. Zipline the Big Reds: George Lucas had Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia flying through the redwoods on Imperial speeders for Star Wars: Return of the Jedi. Get that feeling ziplining on a canopy tour through a redwood forest in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Go Over to the Dark Side: Actually, it's only the name, Death Valley, that sounds dark. This national park is as golden as it gets, with varied desert terrain. As a film location for scenes from the original Star Wars, the entire park looks like a movie backdrop.
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Joy to the Wine
'Tis the season … and a really good reason to visit wineries growing merrier and brighter by the vintage—and the outdoor activities! Here are three standouts not named Napa or Sonoma that are making their mark for outstanding wines and good times in the great outdoors.
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Sunset Surprise
Whether the air is crisp and clean, or cauliflower clouds crowd the skies, winter sunsets are simply beautiful in these three Bay Area spots. Take a breather this holiday season. Watch a sunset.
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2025-09-17
Fall for It All in Reno Tahoe
The best kind of getaway? Less time on logistics, more time on memory-making. Jackpot! You’ve got Reno Tahoe.
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Good Gravy!
Shake Your Giblets: Hike a hidden slice of open space with great views and autumn hues, at Mulholland Ridge Open Space Preserve, a little-known 250-acre open space area in the East Bay. Like your open space and trails? Check out the nonprofit Outdoor Voice, a coalition creating new parks, protecting farmlands, making over 1 million acres of parks publicly accessible, and ensuring thousands of miles of trails remain open for exploration. #FreshAirSaturday: Get swept up in iconic coastal scenery on this 5-mile (round-trip) classic dog-friendly hike in the Marin Headlands. Also here: the Marine Mammal Center (free admittance, closed Thanksgiving Day but open Black Friday and all weekend). The world's largest veterinarian hospital for marine mammals is currently rescuing a record number of northern fur seals stranded on beaches due to lack of food sources and abnormally warm ocean waters. Your visit can help send these seals home for the holidays! State Park Coastal Gems: As an official partner of California State Parks Foundation, we're pretty thankful for their commitment to keeping the parks open and accessible. One of our favorites? The hike-in and hidden Greenwood State Beach on the Mendocino Coast is absolutely beautiful. There's also this hidden coastal hike in Big Sur's Garrapata State Park ... and maybe a little wine-tasting afterwards…
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#FreshAirSaturday
Between Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday, there’s a lot going on. Take a deep breath … it’s time to have a little fun outdoors. It’s time for #FreshAirSaturday.
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Eyes Wild Open
Want to know where the wild things are? Some of the most interesting wildlife is found in urban places, or just across the Golden Gate. Here are three great ways to see some wild stuff this season.
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Shhh ... Sierra
Where Plumas National Forest meets Tahoe National Forest, you'll find the quiet town of Sierraville, basecamp for a spectacular private fire lookout to spend the night, a nearby hot springs to soak your bones, and great trails for hiking or snowshoeing … you never know which, with our wild weather forecast!
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Spooktacular Hikes
This Halloween weekend there's no shortage of ways to celebrate in the great outdoors. From a guided night hike in Marin to spelunking in a national park cave, to discovering the cryptic nature of San Francisco's oldest park, here are three fantastic ways to scare up a good time. Boo-yeah!
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ColorFall Confidential
From green to gold to red, the colors of autumn are totally findable in the Bay Area! Here are three lesser-traveled hikes in the East Bay sure to 'leaf' you satisfied.
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Oh My Monterey!
Autumn on the Monterey Coast can’t be beat. From hiking in Big Sur to wine tasting in Carmel, with beach strolls, bike rolls, and oceanview fire-pit patios in between, here are some excellent ways to spend your days (and nights) in Monterey.
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Adventures That Cut the Cheese
Okay, seriously, who cut the cheese? Lucky for us, it's some of the North Bay's most fabulous small cheese boutiques, dotting the bucolic autumn landscape from Marin County to Sonoma County. Pair these cheeses with a nearby hike, bike ride, and winery.
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Time to Coast
The coast is clear—especially in autumn—and Mendocino County's coast shines this time of year, with hidden beaches, beautiful bluffside rambles, and tranquil respites to make your weekend getaway glorious.
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Interns Know Best
This week we're handing the car keys to our interns: Alex, Kyle, and Morgan. They got after it all summer, exploring the Bay Area and beyond, then writing about it. Here are three of their favorite adventures. Thanks, guys—you were outstanding! Now, get us some coffee. (Totally kidding! Unless you have a minute …).
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2025-09-17
Fall for It All in Reno Tahoe
The best kind of getaway? Less time on logistics, more time on memory-making. Jackpot! You’ve got Reno Tahoe.
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Bountiful Hikes
The low-slung sun, the golden leaves, the distinct scent … making the transition to fall isn’t so bad, after all. Step into autumn on any of these three South Bay hikes.
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Long Weekend Cheat Sheet
Mile Oh Mile: Solitude in San Francisco? It's a Mile Rock away. This small and secluded cove tucked beneath wild and beautiful views of the Pacific Ocean, the Marin Headlands, and the Golden Gate Bridge is easy to reach if you don't mind lots of steps. (Plus read the latest on the labyrinth.) Open Space, Now Open! Ahhh, that new open space smell! Saved from corporate development, Coyote Valley Open Space Preserve recently opened, and shines with new redwood bridges, picnic areas, and a terrific hiking and mountain biking trail with sweeping ridgetop views. Outstanding in the Vineyards: Remember when wine tasting at all the good spots was free or only a few bucks? Anderson Valley never forgot, and it's got outstanding wines and an amazing state park. Shake Your Trail Feathers: Egrets mingling in a maze of marshes, unobstructed views of Mount Burdell to the north and Mount Diablo to the east. Stroll the new 2.7-mile (one-way) section of the Bay Trail and bring binoculars—this is a birding haven. Buzzworthy: What buzzes and can give you a buzz? Heidrun Meadery in Point Reyes Station. They're masters of "honey wine" (aka mead) and beekeeping!
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Bay-utiful
The San Francisco Bay Trail is on a roll. With over 340 out of 500 miles complete, one day this multi-use path will encircle the entire Bay shoreline. Here are a few ways to explore what's new, and what's classic, on this impressive trail.
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Stepping Out at Stinson
Good things happen in threes when you start your adventures from Stinson Beach. From a classic hike to a hidden bunker with a nearby tree-swing, here are three good reasons to get to Stinson, stat!
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Make a Splash
Feeling a bit hot? Here's a news-splash: Just add water! Get a little wet for some cool fun this summer!
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Adventures for All
How's your summer going? There's one month left for you to complete the Weekend Sherpa Adventure Challenge! Here's some inspiration from some of the most popular activities readers have done so far! #weekendsherpa.
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Wine Country Camping
Camping in wine country … now that's a pairing! Pitch your tent at any of these wine country campgrounds where nearby wineries bring added cheers to the adventure (and to your beans and BBQ dinner)!
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