All in Northern CA

Peaceful Hikes for the Holidays
Nature can be a perfect place for a little peace and quiet time. Here are three tranquil hikes to escape the hype of the holiday season and make everyone merry. Joy to the wilds.
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Wide Open for the Holidays
Getting some space this season is easy when you step outside into some of the Bay Area’s great wide open. Here are three grand ways to find room to roam and huge views for some holiday spirit.
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Cinematic Coast
Mendocino County has been the location for more than 50 movies, including classics like James Dean’s “East of Eden.” It’s not hard to see why, with its small-town charms, redwood forests, blue-green bays, rocky headlands, and sublime beaches (with hidden stairways!). Here are some easy ways to make Mendocino the backdrop of your next great escape.
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Sponsored
2026-08-18
Autumn Magic in Yosemite Mariposa County
Yosemite Mariposa County is where golden moments unfold all season long. Watch autumn’s warm glow settle over El Capitan and Half Dome, then wander among Mariposa Grove’s giant seq
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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!
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Happy 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.
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Reopened 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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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.
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Bootiful Fall Hikes
Get into the Halloween spirit ... make that spirits .... this weekend. These classic outdoor adventures are boo-tiful this time of year.
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Falling 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.
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Monterey'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.
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Go 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.
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Bike 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.
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Harvest 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.
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Sponsored
2026-08-18
Autumn Magic in Yosemite Mariposa County
Yosemite Mariposa County is where golden moments unfold all season long. Watch autumn’s warm glow settle over El Capitan and Half Dome, then wander among Mariposa Grove’s giant seq
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As 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.
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Let 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.
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Autumn 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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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.
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Now 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!).
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Tahoe 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.
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Midsummer 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).
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