Picture Worth A Thousand Words: Catch a mirrored sunrise at Thousand Island Lake back in the Ansel Adams Wilderness. You can reach this jewel—set at 9,500 feet in the High Sierra and backed by the brilliant Banner Peak (pictured)—via a 10-mile trek along part of the Pacific Crest Trail.
Rush Hour: Careen on a zip line 100 feet off the ground through a redwood and Douglas fir forest in remote western Sonoma County. A spiral staircase corkscrewing up a tree, suspension bridges, and an 80-foot rappel are all part of the action.
Grin and Bear It: Spend a winter weekend in laid-back Bear Valley exploring over 60 kilometers of cross country ski trails, going off-piste on a backcountry adventure, and snowshoeing under the biggest trees in the world.
Tam Good Breakfast: Nothing says morning in the mountains like flapjacks, maple syrup, and sausages. Accessed only by hiking trails, Mount Tam's West Point Inn makes pancakes so delicious they rival the breathtaking panoramas.
Regal Eagle: Sure the summit of Mount Diablo offers one of the greatest views in the state, but a 6-mile hike to lesser-known Eagle Peak brings both adventure and brilliant vistas.
H2-Om: Yoga's refreshing new take doesn't require a mat. Stand Up Paddleboard Yoga classes on Richardson Bay offer 75 minutes of om-mazing.
Falling for It: Yosemite's quiet northwest corner has treasures to be discovered. One of them is a thundering 40-foot waterfall near Hetch Hetchy.
Tahoe Topper: Make the hike to popular Mount Judah peak in the less-crowded shoulder season of spring or fall. The view from 8,234-feet is true Tahoe jubilation!
Think Tank: Twin Peaks might get all the attention, but San Francisco's Tank Hill easily punches above its weight as part of a 2-mile urban hike through the city.
Butanoful Sleep: The Peninsula's Butano State Park has 18 primo walk-in campsites. The effort of reserving one is worth it when you're warming up next to the campfire underneath second-growth redwoods. Start the morning with a classic 5-mile Mill Ox Loop hike.
Rush Hour: Careen on a zip line 100 feet off the ground through a redwood and Douglas fir forest in remote western Sonoma County. A spiral staircase corkscrewing up a tree, suspension bridges, and an 80-foot rappel are all part of the action.
Grin and Bear It: Spend a winter weekend in laid-back Bear Valley exploring over 60 kilometers of cross country ski trails, going off-piste on a backcountry adventure, and snowshoeing under the biggest trees in the world.
Tam Good Breakfast: Nothing says morning in the mountains like flapjacks, maple syrup, and sausages. Accessed only by hiking trails, Mount Tam's West Point Inn makes pancakes so delicious they rival the breathtaking panoramas.
Regal Eagle: Sure the summit of Mount Diablo offers one of the greatest views in the state, but a 6-mile hike to lesser-known Eagle Peak brings both adventure and brilliant vistas.
H2-Om: Yoga's refreshing new take doesn't require a mat. Stand Up Paddleboard Yoga classes on Richardson Bay offer 75 minutes of om-mazing.
Falling for It: Yosemite's quiet northwest corner has treasures to be discovered. One of them is a thundering 40-foot waterfall near Hetch Hetchy.
Tahoe Topper: Make the hike to popular Mount Judah peak in the less-crowded shoulder season of spring or fall. The view from 8,234-feet is true Tahoe jubilation!
Think Tank: Twin Peaks might get all the attention, but San Francisco's Tank Hill easily punches above its weight as part of a 2-mile urban hike through the city.
Butanoful Sleep: The Peninsula's Butano State Park has 18 primo walk-in campsites. The effort of reserving one is worth it when you're warming up next to the campfire underneath second-growth redwoods. Start the morning with a classic 5-mile Mill Ox Loop hike.
