Woman Walking down stairs to a beach called Cowell Ranch State Beach

Woman Walking down stairs to a beach called Cowell Ranch State Beach

Nature's Stairways

We're stair-ing at you! The San Francisco Bay Area has an abundance of beautiful hikes with natural stairways built into nature, to help us all step up to brilliant panoramas. Here are three that look out to the sea...

Week: 10.03.2024

Regions: Northern CA

More Cowell-bell!

Hike to Cowell Ranch State Beach on the San Mateo Coast

Peninsula & South Bay

Water, Hikes, Relaxing

If you didn’t know it was there, you might just drive right on by it. But for those who make the 0.5-mile walk (or bike ride) to the wooden stairway leading to Cowell Ranch State Beach, the reward is sinking your toes into one of the best beaches in Northern California.

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Carson City Is Calling

Fall Getaway to Carson City, Nevada

Bike Rides, Overnight Escapes, Hikes

This state capital is where going wild means exploring the outdoors and enjoying the history and comforts of a vibrant community. Your best days are ahead in Carson City, Nevada!

Plan Your Carson City Getaway

Morning Sun and a Mimosa

Hike the Morning Sun and SCA Trails in the Marin Headlands

Two hikers go up the stairsteps on the Morning Sun Trail in Sausalito

Morning Sun Trailhead hikers in Sausalito

Maybe you’ve strolled the Sausalito waterfront, but have you ventured up the forested stairway trail to beautiful bay views and the headlands? Get an early start (parking fills quickly!) and hike the Morning Sun Trail, which switchbacks for half a mile up through an oak forest with peek-a-boo views of the bay.

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Lands Zen

Hiking Lincoln Park Steps and Lands End in San Francisco

Dog Friendly, Hikes

Find a little peace in San Francisco on an urban walk featuring a beautiful stairway, panoramic views, a labyrinth, and plentiful coastal drama.

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Trending Stories NorCal

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Hike to New Lights
For an enlightening late-day hike, catch the San Francisco skyline at sunset from high atop Ring Mountain in Tiburon. This 2-mile (round-trip) hike to Turtle Rock is a perfect late afternoon wander.
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Three Cheers
Good things come in threes when you visit Sonoma. Head out on a short hike right from town, sip and stroll the historic plaza, then take in the magical holiday lights.
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Island Tree Topper
The light display atop Angel Island State Park’s Mount Livermore has long been a cheerful twinkle visible from many cities throughout the Bay Area on holiday season nights. Get into the festive spirit by hiking the 2-mile (one-way) trail from Ayala Cove up to the "Angel Lights."
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Hot Springs, Naturally
Thermal spring waters are famous for their curative, relaxing elements, and Reno Tahoe is filled with them! Sink into these amazing thermal respites for a wellness super soak.
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Trending Stories SoCal

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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. DECEMBER BONUS: Enjoy a holiday market, see The Nutcracker, and visit Santa at Sensorio.
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Weekend Sherpa Podcast: Take It Outside
Adventure for your earbuds. What's new in the world of the outdoors? Listen to Weekend Sherpa co-founders discuss local hikes, beaches, bike rides, camping spots and all kinds of travel and adventure in California and beyond!
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O Enchanted Night!
Prepare to be mesmerized! Holiday-season nights in Descanso Gardens are a magical interplay of lights and natural beauty that dazzle as you stroll through the Enchanted Forest of L
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Three Sisters
Good things come in threes at this hike to a lovely trio-tiered waterfall in Cleveland National Forest. The 4.25-mile out-and-back hike rambles among rolling hills, with rocky mountain views as switchbacks take you down to a lush canyon and the falls.
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