High Sierras. Death Valleys. Redwood Canyons. Lost Coasts. The state of California is unlike any other. This week, on September 9th, it's turning 156. Eureka! Here are a few good ways to celebrate.

Head for the Golden Gate Bridge. Not far from that urbane icon is Kirby Cove, the bay's most uncrowded beach and picnic area. The Marin County oasis is sheltered from the sun by eucalyptus and cypress trees and from tourists by the one-mile hike or bike needed to get there. (Camping? Ask the Park Service for a code to unlock the gate so you can drive down. Reservations highly recommended.) The facilities are simple: BBQ grill, picnic tables and fire rings. There's no water or wood, so bring both. Earplugs, too, if you're sleeping over; the fog horns can be loud. After beers and birthday cake, hit the beach and toast both the Golden Gate and State.
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Behold the Northern California coast: rugged, inspirational, and freakin' freezing. Where can you enjoy a shoreside swim without risking hypothermia? Try Bass Lake in Point Reyes National Seashore. It's a scenic 2.7-mile coastal hike up from the parking lot, and the water's warm (warmer than the Pacific, at least) and clean. A plunge into the Bass won't freeze your ass-but watch the posterior-poking nettles when you're changing in the bushes. We're also assuming you don't mind the occasional free-spirited skinny-dipper. Bonus: Pack a picnic and inflatable raft and make it your own backyard pool.

From the town of Bolinas, follow Mesa Rd. 4.6 miles past the Bird Observatory to the parking lot. Take the Coast Trail, and follow it 2.7 miles until you see Bass Lake on your left.

The Sierras spawned the Gold Rush. Now the biggest rush comes from mountain biking. The hub of the wheel: Downieville. A quaint settlement four hours northeast of San Francisco, Downieville's 350 inhabitants support two bike stores. The town's also the staging area for the 15-mile Downieville Downhill and multiple single-track cross-country trails for intermediate and advanced cyclists. Yuba Expeditions or Downieville Outfitters will rent you a bike (starting price $55 a day), and also save your muscles for your ride. Both bike shops run a shuttle up the mountain that deposits you at 7,100 ft., the starting point for your trip down along forested single-track and rushing rivers. Cool off afterwards with a dip in Oregon Creek (the swimming hole just made Outside magazine's "favorites" list).

To get to Oregon Creek, head north on Highway 49 from I-80 for about 40 miles. Go one mile north of the Middle Yuba bridge, and park your car on the east side at the two-car turnout. Walk downhill for five minutes until you reach the creek.

TIP: In Downieville check out overnight digs at the Sierra Shangri-La, a collection of rustic cottages with stone fireplaces and private patios set on the Yuba's north fork. Cabins start at $126 a night. Or stay in the resort's bed and breakfast; it's $100 a night for two.
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