Wetland and Wild

Hard work and commitment pays off when it comes to local initiatives to rehabilitate nature, including wetland envrionments once neglected. Celebrate restoration initiatives on these three hike, bike, and paddle adventures, among rejuvinated wetlands in the Bay Area.

Week: 10.19.2022
Regions: Northern CA

Wetland Reawakening

Bike or hike the Hamilton Wetlands in Novato

Woman riding her bike at Hamilton Wetlands in Novato
Walkers on the wide open dirt trail at Hamilton Wetlands in Novato North Bay
Woman stopped on her bike looking at information signs and the San Pablo Bay at Hamilton Wetlands in Novato
Once an army airfield and now a thriving wetland, Novato’s Hamilton Wetlands is a glimpse into both the past and the future. Take a mellow bike ride or walk on the flat Bay Trail to take in the sights.
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Unexpected Hiking Vacation

Discover Beautiful Hikes in San Ramon

Discover San Ramon
San Ramon hills
San Ramon creek
San Ramon green hills and trees
Ready for a local hiking vacation—one that’s unexpected, hassle-free, and comes with bonuses like spas and delicious nearby dining?
Discover San Ramon

Feather Fanfare

Birdwatch at Ravenswood Preserve in the South Bay

Man standing at boardwalk overlooking the wetland at Ravenswood Preserve
Feathery birds swing and swoop on the edge of the San Francisco Bay, surrounded by the Diablo Range and Santa Cruz Mountains. See it all from a levee in serene Ravenswood Preserve.
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Napa's Wild Side

Explore the gentle Napa River with Napa Valley Paddle

Napa Valley Paddle kayaker and paddle boarder on the Napa Valley river
Kayaker paddling the Napa River with Napa Valley Paddle
Kayaker paddling under a bridge on the Napa Valley River with Napa Valley Paddle
Paddler on the Napa River passing by downtown Napa and Stone Brewing
It’s wine country’s Amazon. The gentle Napa River is an ecological—and recreational—delight. And Napa Valley Paddle sets you up for maximum enjoyment of this experience, including an optional mobile podcast tour for your do-it-yourself adventure.
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Trending Stories NorCal

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  1. Field of Light at Sensorio in Paso Robles

    Light This Way

    Hidden in the bucolic hills of Paso Robles lies one of the greatest light shows on earth. The lighted art exhibition, Sensorio, is as if the rainbow magic of the aurora borealis was plucked from the sky and planted in the fields.

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  2. Bucks Up!

    Come on in, the water is beautiful. Whether you like swimming, kayaking, stand-up paddling, or heading out on a bigger boat, Bucks Lake is a high mountain haven that’s easy to access, blissfully uncrowded, and surrounded by sandy beaches, picnic areas, pines, and aspens.

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  3. Surfboards and tents for shade are set up on the beach at Cull Canyon Regional Recreation Area in the Swim Lagoon Area

    Switchbacks and Swimming Holes

    Hike hard, play hard! This 7-mile out-and-back in Cull Canyon Regional Recreation Area is a great workout with payoff vistas and a relaxing post-hike picnic and dip in the water.

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  4. Roaring Good Time

    There’s nothing quite like the majestic beauty of California’s redwood forests. Now, imagine experiencing those towering giants aboard a historic 19th-century steam train. Roaring Camp Railroads in Felton is home to some of the oldest and most authentically preserved narrow-gauge steam engines in America.

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Trending Stories SoCal

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  1. Two kayakers on Upper Klamath Basin on tour with Sky Lakes Wilderness Adventures

    Zen & the Art of Kayaking

    It’s the most meditative and relaxing experience you’ll ever have on a kayak. Yes, you read that right, a Zen experience on a kayak. It all happens in beautiful Klamath County when you head out on a guided tour with Sky Lakes Wilderness Adventures.

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  2. A Rose in the Pines

    A crackling fire, a bottle of wine, a bubbling Jacuzzi tub with a waterfall … now the big question: Marvin Gaye tunes or not? In the morning (ahem) it's breakfast in bed and a leis

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  3. Alex Villicana, Villicana Winery and Re:Find Distillery

    Locals' Feature: Alex Villicana

    Tech booms, AI revolutions, okay that’s all fine, but you wanna know what else is really cool? Being a pioneer in a world-famous industry that—in Paso Robles—remains solidly down to earth. When Alex Villicana established Villicana Winery in 1993, he clearly had grape expectations...

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  4. Two people fly fishing on the Truckee River with guides from Reno Fly Shop

    Zen and the Art of Fly Fishing

    Learning to fly fish is one of the most fun and beautiful ways to connect with nature, family, friends, and yourself. It’s also a great way to truly experience the magic of a place. Make that place Reno Tahoe, where a fly fishing adventure with Reno Fly Shop is like being planted in a plein air painting of dreamy outdoors.

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