Irish Spring

You're gonna have to wait a bit for trails to dry, but there'll be plenty of green on the scene at these East Bay parks that are part of the John Muir Land Trust. When the skies clear, spring for some hikes, bike rides, and guided walks.

Week: 03.15.2023

Regions: Northern CA

Flashy Fernandez

Hike or Bike at Fernandez Ranch in Martinez East Bay

Hikes, Bike Rides, Dog Friendly

Biker on a trail at Fernandez Ranch in Martinez East Bay

Biker riding by trailside poppies at Fernandez Ranch in Martinez East Bay

Mountain biker on the trail overlooking San Pablo Bay in the East Bay Fernandez Ranch

Green rolling hills studded in oak trees, wildflowers like poppies, lupine, and the Mount Diablo sunflower—exclusive to Contra Costa County: the landscape at Fernandez Ranch in Martinez is a highlight reel of wildlife, wildflowers, and wowing panoramas. Try this 6-mile hike or bike ride.

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Wanda-ful Hike

Hike Mount Wanda in the East Bay

Hikes, Dog Friendly

Hike Mount Wanda Nature Preserve in Martinez

When John Muir wasn’t trekking the Sierra, he could usually be found hiking near his home in Martinez, at Mount Wanda, named for his daughter.

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Sonoma for Film, Food, Wine, Fun!

Enjoy Food, Wine, and Film at The Sonoma International Film Festival

Exquisite food events, extraordinary wine tastings, exceptional films, and super fun parties: Spring into Sonoma March 22 - 26 for the West’s best film, food, and wine extravaganza.

Carr Ranch

Go on a long hike at Carr Ranch Trail in Contra Consta County

Hiker on a trail with beautiful green hills and wildflowers on the grasses at Carr Ranch in Contra Costa County

View of a water reservoir that cattle are surrounding at Carr Ranch in Contra Costa County

Can’t decide between an epic hike or a relaxing nature walk? The 8.3-mile Carr Ranch Trail loop in the East Bay’s Contra Costa County is the perfect hike for rugged adventurers with a soft side.

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Trending Stories NorCal

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Drive-In Whale Watching
Just north of Point Reyes, Bodega Head sits high on the tip of a curving, thumb-like peninsula and offers excellent whale watching in winter.
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Top Dog Destination
Redding is a pawsitively ideal destination for you and your four-legged pal. Surrounded by Shasta and Lassen and mountainous Whiskeytown, with year-round sunny days and the gleaming Sacramento River running right through it, Redding is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream.
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Muir Woods Through the Backdoor
A backdoor entrance into Muir Woods? Hike a tranquil trail that starts in Mount Tamalpais State Park and quietly leads into Muir Woods, letting you avoid the busyness of the main parking area.
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Stay at Wuksachi Lodge in Sequoia National Park
Stay in a modern yet rustic lodge with vaulted wood-beam ceilings, grand stone fireplaces, panoramic windows overlooking a snow-filled forest, and jagged mountain peaks all around. Wuksachi Lodge in Sequoia National Park has adventure trails leaving right from its lobby.
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Point Dume Bloom!
On this 2-mile loop hike in Mailibu's Point Dume Natural Preserve, you can find yourself walking through fields of brilliant yellow specimens—some of them chest high and taller—but also dip down to pristine beaches and tide pools, possibly crowning your visit with a gray-whale sighting.
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Strolling Stornetta
Big Sur has some competition. Located along the rugged Mendocino County coastline, the 1,665-acre Point Arena-Stornetta Public Lands is a spectacular place to meander for miles along bluffs overlooking small coves, sea caves, dunes, and clusters of offshore islands.
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Big Foot in the Big Trees
When dinosaurs roamed the earth they shared space with giant sequoias, the biggest trees in the world. Get up close to these bold beauties on a docent-led snowshoe trek in Calaveras Big Trees State Park.
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LA Discovery Walk
Wide-open spaces, hidden art, local cuisine, unique wildlife: Take a cultural walk through the San Gabriel Valley on a 3-mile park-to-park discovery route, then go get some delicious craft beers.
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