Visit the California Alps: Sandwiched between Lake Tahoe and Yosemite, this oft-overlooked section of the Sierra Nevada is a winter playground. Be sure to enjoy a high-altitude natural hot tub at Grover Hot Springs.
Yosemite's Glorious Off-Season: Snowshoe through giant sequoia redwoods in Yosemite's Mariposa Grove. Or ice-skate in the valley under the shadow of El Capitan at one of the nicest outdoor rinks this side of Canada.
Eureka Moment: Sweeney Ridge is one of the Peninsula's greatest vantage points. Hike to the stone monument that marks the spot where the first Spanish explorer discovered the San Francisco Bay.
Briones Beckoning: Expansive and underused, this East Bay park is an easy destination for day hikers, mountain bikers, and dog walkers. To the east, Mt. Diablo looms large and green.
Afternoon Delight: Sleep in and still enjoy some afternoon wheeling on the easy Cross Marin Trail. Canopied by redwoods, this 5-mile paved trail has plenty of spots to take breaks along Lagunitas Creek.
Levi's Loop: For the ambitious, try Levi Leipheimer's favorite road-bike loop through Sonoma County. As a Tour de France veteran and North Bay local, Levi trains on this ride.
Lazy Paddle: Canoe on the East Bay's gentle Lake Chabot, passing quiet pebble beaches and rolling green hills. Nose your boat up to shore for a picnic break.
Water Works: A classic, the 4-mile hike to Alamere Falls offers panoramic ocean views along way. Witness a 50-foot waterfall plunging from a cliff into the ocean, sure to impress after the recent rains.
Mood Music: Take a stroll and discover the hidden Wave Organ, located on a jetty behind the Golden Gate Yacht Club on San Francisco's Marina Green.
Oyster Riches: Relish rugged coastline and fresh oysters by combining the two in a daylong escape to Point Reyes. First stop at historic Drakes Bay Oyster Farm, then enjoy a barbecue feast at a nearby beach.
