All in Northern CA

  1. 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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  2. 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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  3. Woman hiking Hawk Hill in the Marin Headlands at Sunset

    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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  4. Sponsored

    Chasing Dark Skies: Southern Oregon

    Hot springs, hiking, lodging, antelope, and one of the world’s best places for looking up at night.

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  5. 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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  6. Woman jumping on the beach at Pescadero Marsh

    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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  7. 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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  8. 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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  9. 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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  10. 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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  11. Coasting 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.

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  12. Coastal 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.

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  13. Better 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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  14. Glamp tent at Crater Lake Resort near Klamath Falls in Southern Oregon

    Road Trip to Remember

    Build the best road trip memories in Southern Oregon. Hike the famous Table Rocks, paddle in the serenity of the Cascades, glamp near Crater Lake, see the greatest waterfalls, and enjoy bucolic food + wine trails. Here’s a road trip itinerary from our recent adventure to help you map out your very own Southern Oregon vacation.

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  15. Sponsored

    Chasing Dark Skies: Southern Oregon

    Hot springs, hiking, lodging, antelope, and one of the world’s best places for looking up at night.

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  16. Wheels of Fortune

    What’s better than a beautiful Bay Area bike ride with grand scenery? Not much! But bonus in a tiki bar, a tasty spot for Mexican cuisine and margaritas, or an old-fashioned gastropub, and you’ve got a perfect summer spin.

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  17. Go Fourth for Summer Adventures

    What’s new for summer? How about the recently re-opened guided canoe and kayak tours at one of the most mysterious lakes on earth? Or a tip on getting first-come, first-served camping at a stunning state park? Or check off that visit to the newest urban oasis with views of the golden state's Golden Gate. Go fourth!

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  18. Hidden Gems of the East Bay

    Life’s a hike-in beach, and a bayside wine-tasting with food + live music, and a bike ride with classic views of the Golden Gate. Head to the East Bay for a brilliant summer day!

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  19. Woman hiking down stairs to Perles Beach on Angel Island State Park in the San Francisco Bay Area

    California State Parks Week

    California State Parks Week (June 14 - 18, 2023) encourages visits California state parks for new experiences, nourishing health and wellness, celebrating community and culture, and caring for our lands. Here are just a few suggestions of places to go.

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  20. Ready to Rock

    Rock stars: unique, expressive, and with individual flair. These three Northern California rock stars are no exception—featuring nature-sculpted formations you can admire on a hike or from a beach. Rock, on.

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  21. Down by the Water

    This winter's epic rain and snow has rivers and creeks currently flowing like never before. Admire the flow, but do it on land, from a safe distance. Here are three unique places to bike, hike, or camp near the water.

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  22. Hike-in to Beach Bliss

    Know what feels good after a hike? Sticking your toes in the sand! Kick off the unofficial start to summer with some beach time ... but not just any beach time... these three beaches are hike-ins, for a bit of extra bliss.

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A Hiker looking over a mountain range

Your Inbox to the Outdoors

Stay up to date with our weekly recommendations on where to explore locally in California.

Trending Stories NorCal

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  1. Sponsored

    Chasing Dark Skies: Southern Oregon

    Hot springs, hiking, lodging, antelope, and one of the world’s best places for looking up at night.

    View
  2. Woman with her arms outstretched to the rolling hills scenery while on a rock outcrop at Barnabe Peak in Samuel P Taylor Sate Park in Marin

    Barnabe Bonanza

    Sure, there are higher mountains in Marin (Mount Tam) and easier ascents (Mount Burdell), but is there a more expansive North Bay view? Barnabe Peak in Samuel P. Taylor State Park offers a glorious panorama including Mount Tam, Mount Diablo, and Mount St. Helena.

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  3. Tamtastic Sunset

    Sure, the East Peak of Mount Tam is absolutely spectacular at sunset, but some magic-hour enthusiasts head to a nearby spot, Trojan Point, for a little more personal space in their panoramic viewings.

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Trending Stories SoCal

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  1. Lagoon Swoon

    We all love an underdog story, especially in the shadow of the greats. Enter a truly SoCal coastal version: Malibu Lagoon State Beach. Though situated next to Surfrider Beach, a fa

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  2. Woman hiking the San Onofre Bluffs Loop Trail to San Onofre State Beach in San Diego County

    Bluffing Good!

    Lovely coastline, beautiful beaches, unique geological history, and picturesque sandstone cliffs with limited foot traffic in San Diego County? Head to San Onofre State Beach and the 5-mile San Onofre Bluffs Loop Trail.

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  3. Tahoe's Trio of Lake Vistas

    They say good things come in threes, and it’s true when you embark on this 8-mile (round-trip) hike in Tahoe’s Desolation Wilderness. It gives you three excellent lake vistas: Eagl

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