Bonus Sherpa: Sweet Sleeps

Overnight escapes come in all shapes, sizes and locations, from cozy camping and riverside cabins to B&Bs just inches from the wild. Good night!

Yuba Dabba Doo: Mountain biking, inner tubing, and riverside grilling merge in a mountain hideaway on the North Fork of the Yuba River. The Lure Resort's log cabins in Downieville range from bare bones yet comfy to upscale with all the amenities.

Damme Good: Mendocino's got one of the best hike-or-bike-in campgrounds on the California Coast. Van Damme State Park has a hidden stash of nine campsites tucked among redwoods along the banks of the Little River.

Big Deal: Camp in tent cabins in Big Basin Redwoods State Park. The 12-by-15-foot wood-and-canvas retreats have private grills and miles of hiking trails outside their doors.

Hostel Behavior: Set in the heart of a national park just 10 minutes from the Golden Gate Bridge, Marin Headlands Hostel has private rooms, dorm rooms, and plenty of room to roam. Stroll among the eucalyptus trees and hike to nearby beaches.

Good Point: Nestled in a bishop pine forest and with just two guest rooms, the Japanese-inspired Osprey Peak Bed & Breakfast in Point Reyes is ahhh-inspiring. Husband and wife owners, David Herbst and Nancy Beck can tell you where to hike, bike, kayak, and picnic.