All in Northern CA
Happy Trailsgiving
Happy holidays! However you spend this time, the outdoors is always a good place to be. Here are some ideas on where to hike, bike, picnic, beach, beer (that's a verb), eat, and enjoy a delicious apple cinnamon donut!
VIEWHappy Holiday Adventures
However you do your holidays, the outdoors is always in season. So whether you're seeking solo time, or time with that special someone, want to bring the dog, or plan to go full Griswold, here are five good options.
VIEWReopened and Ready
After Tropical Storm Hilary, some of our national parks in desert locations were closed due to intense damage. The good news is they've recently re-opened, and fall brings cooler temps. From less-known canyons to perfect peaks for sunset, here are three unique desert hiking experiences open to you! --
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Sublime San Juan Islands
Well, well, this wellness action plan takes you to the San Juan Islands! Easily reached by ferry yet worlds away in tranquility and unique adventures, this Washington State jewel of the Salish Sea nurtures through nature.
View Hikes for Autumn's Best Light
Fret not about shorter days ahead. Instead, see things in autumn’s new light, where landscapes are illuminated in the brilliance of fall colors and the low sitting sun. Here are three places that glow golden.
VIEWBootiful Fall Hikes
Get into the Halloween spirit ... make that spirits .... this weekend. These classic outdoor adventures are boo-tiful this time of year.
VIEWFalling for Paso
Take a trip to real California this fall … the California you might not know but truly should! Paso Robles's wine country, beautiful backroads, and unfussy outdoors is an absolute revelation. Relish the bucolic landscapes, rolling vineyards, pristine lakes, rivers, and waterfalls, and spirited small town brimming with cuisine, art, and culture. Just a few hours from San Francisco or Los Angeles, here’s a road trip itinerary to see this hidden gem.
VIEWMonterey's Many Hidden Gems
Monterey is not only stunningly beautiful by nature, it's an historical and ecological cornerstone of California. Experience its less-known state parks, hidden gem hikes, a coastal trail to a lighthouse, marvelous food and culture, and the brilliance of Monterey Bay Aquarium's newest exhibit and special guided tours.
VIEWGo Small For Fall Fun
It's the little things in life sometimes, even in the great big outdoors. These three parks in the Bay Area have everythign from short and scenic hiking trails to labyrinths, mini-golf fun, and BBQ delights. So go small for big fun.
VIEWBike Rides to Fall Bounties
Seasonal farmstands and wineries in the prime of harvest, beautiful fall colors along idyllic paths, park stops and a new brewpub ... get rolling (or strolling) on any of these three Bay Area bike trails leading to a bounty of scenery, seasonal delights, and stops for food and drinks.
VIEWHarvest Moon Hikes
The full moon is this weekend. Here are some prime adventures to watch the sun set and the Harvest moon rise, even sticking around to sip wine and see the stars. Bring a headlamp for good measure and get glowing.
VIEWAs the Sun Sets on Summer
As the sun sets on summer, here are some sunset spots (and sails!) to savor before we leap into outdoor adventures worth falling for.
VIEWLet There Be Light(houses)
As summer simmers down and days darken faster, we’ve got a few ways to keep the light going. Just add lighthouses! From overnight stays, to guided tours, here are three unique lighthouse adventures.
VIEWAutumn Taking Flight
Autumn brings new light. Ease into the season with these mellow hike and bike adventures at wetlands and beaches across the Bay Area. Savor peaceful trails, see birdlife, and relax waterside.
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Sublime San Juan Islands
Well, well, this wellness action plan takes you to the San Juan Islands! Easily reached by ferry yet worlds away in tranquility and unique adventures, this Washington State jewel of the Salish Sea nurtures through nature.
View The Secluded Sierra
Travel to the very northern part of the Sierra Nevada and discover a vast wilderness with only three traffic lights and more nature than people. Plumas County is a tranquil haven of high mountain recreation lakes, hiking and biking trails galore, plentiful small-town charms, and a national park that's still a hidden treasure.
VIEWNow Open: These Camping Adventures
Better late than never. Winter's historic precipitation meant delays in some backcountry and high Sierra camping adventures due to road repairs and too much snow! Here are a few places you can go now, some recently re-opened (and first-come, first-served!).
VIEWTahoe Easy Rollers
How do you escape the crowds at Tahoe? Try a bike ride along one of the region’s beautiful (car-free!) bike trails paralleling the Truckee River and Lake Tahoe. Here are some great rides (that can also be hikes or walks) for getting a little space.
VIEWMidsummer Picks
It's the thick of summer, and the heat has dialed up. Stay refreshed with these popular outdoor hikes, bike rides, and kayaking adventures in Northern California (and a few points beyond).
VIEWCoasting in Santa Cruz
Summer heat is still on, so keep on coasting with a little help from Santa Cruz County. Here are some hikes, bike rides, and brewpubs to keep your cool.
VIEWCoastal Cabins
Feel like coasting and a cabin stay? We have some places in mind. Unplug and unwind (or stay a bit connected, but still in nature) and enjoy one of these cabin getaways with beaches, hikes, and beautiful views. Sweet dreams.
VIEWBetter Hit the Beach!
With soaring temperatures even San Francisco is having warm summer days. Keep your cool with some classic coastal hikes and beaches where the ocean breeze refreshes.
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The 2025 Hiking Calendar Is Here!
Ready to make hiking part of your New Year’s wellness plan? Get the all-new 2025 Hiking Calendar courtesy of Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST).
Get the 2025 POST Hiking CalendarYour Inbox to the Outdoors
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