All in Northern CA

  1. Garden State

    Guided rhododendron walks, farm-to-trail events, a lavender maze for World Labyrinth Day, things are coming up more than roses! These three botanical gardens have extra bling this spring. --

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  2. Super Pedals + Petals

    When the wind’s in your hair, a Bay Area spring is in more than the air...it's all over the hills and trails too! Here are some bike rides (or hikes) where the season is showing off its best stuff.

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  3. Spring for These Summits

    The wildflowers are flowing, the green hills are rolling, and things are looking up! Way up. Head out and up to these three Bay Area summit hikes currently bringing some spring bling!

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  4. Redding Ironman Whiskeytown lake
    Sponsored
    2025-12-31

    New Year, New Goal: IRONMAN 70.3 Northern California

    2026 is off and running! And swimming. And biking. Don't get left behind! Commit to one of the upcoming year’s most exciting endurance events—IRONMAN 70.3 Northern California in Redding.

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  5. Bloom Shakalaka

    It's raining wildflowers! A benefit of big rains followed by warm weather is gorgeous scenery festooned by flowers. Here are some places currently blossoming with flora, fauna, and fabulous views.

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  6. Poppy Hikes in the San Francisco Bay Area

    The Bay Area has some great pop ups in spring, specifically, the California poppy, popping up now. Here are some hikes and bike rides that can pop with poppies.

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  7. Spring Blooms

    Rain may have dampened some things, but there's a bright spot on the horizon: Wildflower season is making a run for it, with blooms scattered up and over the mountains and green hills of the Bay Area. Here are three places for seeing spring’s early blossoms while also enjoying big views!

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  8. Spring In Your Steps

    With a break in the rains, the scenery is starting to pop with flowers, greenery, and big time scenery. From waterfalls and wildlife to flower power and stairways to heavenly views, celebrate the season with these spring bling adventures.

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  9. Irish Spring

    You're gonna have to wait a bit for trails to dry, but there'll be plenty of green on the scene at these East Bay parks that are part of the John Muir Land Trust. When the skies clear, spring for some hikes, bike rides, and guided walks.

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  10. Gray's Anatomy

    We understand if you’re hiding under the covers until the wild weather subsides, but when you’re ready here are three places to go gray-whale watching, with bonuses like food, wine, beer, even a hot tub!

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  11. woman snowshoeing in Sequoia National Park

    Snow Daze

    Now that all of California is a snow-globe, give it time, and when it's safe to venture out, try some of these snowy adventures that will take us into spring.

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  12. Pitch Perfect Hikes

    Hike. Camp. How about hike + camp? Whether you just want to go on a fabulously scenic day hike or bike ride, or would prefer to pitch a tent and add camping to your adventure, these three Bay Area spots have got options! Take your pick, and be ready to pitch!

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  13. Presidential Sweet!

    In honor of Presidents Day we've rounded up eight great adventures to enjoy in national monuments, parks, and public lands created by US Presidents.

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  14. Hill Yeah!

    Not all hill hikes are created equal. Some may seem small, yet surprise and delight with big views! Here are three to discover in the South Bay, East Bay, and Wine Country. Hill Yeah!

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  15. Redding Ironman Whiskeytown lake
    Sponsored
    2025-12-31

    New Year, New Goal: IRONMAN 70.3 Northern California

    2026 is off and running! And swimming. And biking. Don't get left behind! Commit to one of the upcoming year’s most exciting endurance events—IRONMAN 70.3 Northern California in Redding.

    View
  16. Coasting Along

    Cooler temps, crisp days mixed in with warming sunshine—it’s time to coast. Here’s your cabin getaway with beaches and bluff hikes to round out the fun and relaxation.

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  17. Keep It Flowing

    With water still flowing, we’re going to keep the theme going, with more waterfall hikes in their prime right now. Here are three to see!

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  18. Wet, Wild, Waterfalls

    Well, this is a wet and wild start to 2023! Stay safe, and when the storms pass, head out on any of these three hikes where the water will be flowing big. Wishing you a waterfall new year!

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  19. Put it On the Calendar!

    With all the uncertainty surrounding California's back to back to back (to back!) atmospheric rivers, travel and trail conditions are unpredictable. So we're thinking of bigger trips for later in the year. Here are three national park adventures to get booked for 2023! 

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  20. Top 10 Outdoor Adventures of 2022

    For this year’s Top 10 adventures we used an old school algorithm. What did we like? Actually, these are what you liked too! Some are near, others are a bit further afield, and all are excellent ways to explore our natural environment. So as we bid adieu to 2022, here’s to you and the great outdoors.

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  21. Woman jumping on the beach at Pescadero Marsh

    Freedom of Beach

    Wishing you a very happy holiday season. Deck the halls and the trails with these three winter wanders that have beautiful beach bonuses. Stay tuned next week for our annual Top 10 adventures of the year. Merry and bright!

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  22. A-maze-ing Scenery

    Have an a-maze-ing time on these three outdoor adventures featuring big scenery, festive bonuses, and beautiful labyrinths.

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Trending Stories NorCal

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  1. Hike to New Lights

    For an enlightening late-day hike, catch the San Francisco skyline at sunset from high atop Ring Mountain in Tiburon. This 2-mile (round-trip) hike to Turtle Rock is a perfect late afternoon wander.

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  2. Three Cheers

    Good things come in threes when you visit Sonoma. Head out on a short hike right from town, sip and stroll the historic plaza, then take in the magical holiday lights.

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  3. Island Tree Topper

    The light display atop Angel Island State Park’s Mount Livermore has long been a cheerful twinkle visible from many cities throughout the Bay Area on holiday season nights. Get into the festive spirit by hiking the 2-mile (one-way) trail from Ayala Cove up to the "Angel Lights."

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  4. Woman swimming in Carson Hotsprings natural thermal pool

    Hot Springs, Naturally

    Thermal spring waters are famous for their curative, relaxing elements, and Reno Tahoe is filled with them! Sink into these amazing thermal respites for a wellness super soak.

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Trending Stories SoCal

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  1. Field of Light at Sensorio in Paso Robles

    Light This Way

    Hidden in the bucolic hills of Paso Robles lies one of the greatest light shows on earth. The lighted art exhibition, Sensorio, is as if the rainbow magic of the aurora borealis was plucked from the sky and planted in the fields. DECEMBER BONUS: Enjoy a holiday market, see The Nutcracker, and visit Santa at Sensorio.

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  2. Hikers stand atop Lassen Peak in Lassen Volcanic National Park

    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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  3. O Enchanted Night!

    Prepare to be mesmerized! Holiday-season nights in Descanso Gardens are a magical interplay of lights and natural beauty that dazzle as you stroll through the Enchanted Forest of L

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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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