Go Small For Fall Fun

It's the little things in life sometimes, even in the great big outdoors. These three parks in the Bay Area have everything from short and scenic hiking trails to labyrinths, mini and disc golf, and BBQ delights.

Week: 10.11.2023
Regions: Northern CA

Saratoga Small Wonder

Hike at Saratoga Quarry Park

Saratoga Quarry Park features beautiful views, ample picnic space, a labyrinth, and plenty of kid-friendly activities, all within a 2-mile loop.
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Coastal Hikes Guide for Fall

Coastal Hiking Guide for Fall

Coastal Hiking Guide
Coastal Hiking Guide
Ready to fill your fall walks with secluded beaches, towering redwoods, whale sightings, and fresh food? Get coasting! Peninsula Open Space Trust has just released their Coastal Hikes Guide.
POST's Complimentary Coastal Hikes Guide

Disc-go!

Hike, Bike, Disc Golf at Crane Creek Regional Park in Sonoma County

Disc Golf Player at Crane Creek Regional Park in Sonoma Valley
Hiker on the trail at Crane Creek Regional Park in Sonoma County
Oak tree at Crane Creek Regional Park in Sonoma County
Big views and one of the most scenic disc golf courses in Northern California: Crane Creek Regional Park in Sonoma County packs a lot into its 128 acres!
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Make It McInnis

Hike, Pickleball, and Mini Golf at McInnis Park in San Rafael

The old adage that good things come in small packages fits well when you visit San Rafael’s 450-acre McInnis Park. Mini-golf, tennis courts (for pickleball, of course!), and a stellar skate park all feature into the activities here.
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Trending Stories NorCal

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  1. Bike the Monterey Coastal Recreation Trail

    To the Lighthouse

    The Monterey Recreation Trail is one of America's most beautiful coastal experiences, accessible to bikers, strollers, rollers, and walkers. This 8-mile (round-trip) bike ride follows premier parts of the trail before detouring to Pacific Grove's storied Point Pinos Lighthouse.

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  2. Sponsored

    The Unexpected Wonders of Monterey

    One of the world’s best teachers? Mother Nature. And one of the best destinations to learn from her? The Monterey Bay Aquarium. Spend a few hours at the Aquarium, then take your pick of self-guided walks...

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  3. Tombstones and Tarantulas

    Forget black cats; a randy tarantula crossing your path can really get your heart racing. So can spirits in a cemetery! Visit Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve and learn about these misunderstood spiders, plus pay a visit to the Rose Hill Cemetery, where ghosts are said to exist.  

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  4. London Calling

    The writer Jack London was known for his adventure stories, and an autumn hike at his namesake state park in Sonoma Valley illuminates more than his career. Eucalyptus, oaks, sprawling vineyards, and brilliant redwoods are part of the autumn magic amid the rich history of the park.

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Trending Stories SoCal

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  1. woman hiking Elkhorn Slough Reserve in Monterey

    Hike Elkhorn Slough Reserve

    Elkhorn Slough Reserve is one of California’s few remaining coastal wetlands. Go on a hike and marvel at one of the state's largest coastal salt marshes, a valued habitat for birds, plant life, sea otters, and marine mammals.

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  2. Red Rocks in California

    Colorful badlands, towering buttes, and scenic desert cliffs form a hikers paradise. Red Rock Canyon State Park is a lightly visited desert wonderland where the southernmost tip of the Sierra Nevada converges with the El Paso range.

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  3. Woman hiking up to views from Desolation Canyon in Death Valley National Park

    Canyons Calling

    Canyon hikes come in all shapes and sizes in Death Valley, and we’ve got two gems. One requires more rigorous scrambling and navigation, and leads to a dryfall; the other takes you up to a brilliant vista.

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  4. Hiking Cobb Estate Haunted Forest

    Welcome to Mr. Cobb's Haunted Forest

    The ruins can be explored on an easy 1.5-mile (round-trip) loop trail. Hike it close to dusk for maximum creepiness (just make sure you're out by dusk, when the park closes).

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