Challenge Accepted

The 2026 Adventure Challenge is in full swing! Looking for ideas to earn your commemorative T-shirt? Here are some of our favorite adventures featured this summer—but you can choose anything from our site. After 20 years of Weekend Sherpa, there’s plenty of adventure to choose from!

Week: 08.19.2026
Regions: Northern CA

Poplar Beach

Stroll and Enjoy Poplar Beach in Half Moon Bay

Take a stroll and catch the surf scene from the bluffs above popular beaches or get your feet in the sand (dogs welcome, too) at sublime spots like Poplar Beach in Half Moon Bay.
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Shimmering Paddle

Kayaking at Sunset, Under a Full Moon, or during Bioluminescence in Jenner.

Uniquely situated where the Russian River meets the rugged Pacific coast, Jenner is a shining star of kayaking destinations. It’s even better on a guided paddle at sunset, under a full moon, or during peak bioluminescent season.
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Walk on the Wise Side

Walking the Philosopher's Way Trail in SF

A wise man once said, “Walk it off.” And San Francisco has just the place for a colorful walk via a 2.7-mile loop along Philosopher’s Way Trail in the 318-acre John McLaren Park (San Francisco’s second largest park, after Golden Gate). McLaren Park has seen plenty of love in rece
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Wapama Wows

Hike to Wapama Falls in Hetch Hetchy Yosemite National Park

Woman hiking along a trail in Yosemite
Woman smiling on the hiking trail with a lake in the background at Hetch Hetchy in Yosemite
Woman on bridge at Wapama Falls in Hetch Hetchy Yosemite
Hetch Hetchy can be overlooked in Yosemite National Park because of its more remote location and limited facilities. But this is where you’ll also find one of the best day hikes in the park: Wapama Falls.
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Purely Purisima

Take an Easy Hike at Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve

Take a relaxing hike on the lower section of Purisiima Creek Trail in Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve.
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The Shack is Back!

Relax and Picnic at the Nick's Cove Boat Shack

Point Reyes is full of hidden hideaways, including the unassuming boat shack at Nick’s Cove. Quietly perched at the end of a public pier overlooking Tomales Bay, the shack is a coastal landmark. It's well worth a visit!
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Greater by the Dozen

Hike San Francisco's Golden Gate Dozen Trail

This hike is anything but a dime a dozen. The all-new "Golden Gate Dozen Trail" links 12 National Park sites on a spectacular 13-mile journey across San Francisco's coastline.
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Take the Exit to the Best of the San Francisco Peninsula

The Quintessential NorCal Experience: All in One Place

The San Francisco Peninsula is proof that some of Northern California’s greatest surprises are hiding just off Highway 101. All you have to do is take the exit.
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  1. Greater by the Dozen

    This hike is anything but a dime a dozen. The all-new "Golden Gate Dozen Trail" links 12 National Park sites on a spectacular 13-mile journey across San Francisco's coastline.

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  2. Napa Valley Paddle kayaker and paddle boarder on the Napa Valley river

    Napa's Wild Side

    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.

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  3. A Thousand Steps to Paradise

    A picture is worth a thousand words, but is a gorgeous beach in Laguna worth a thousand steps? The answer is yes, though the question is moot, because it’s only 223 steep steps down to the 400-yard stretch of sand known as 1000 Steps Beach.

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  4. Hike Mount Tamalpais into Muir Woods

    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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  1. There's Always To Moro!

    Looking for a rock-solid itinerary in Sequoia National Park? Pair the park's most famous viewpoint with one that's often overlooked.

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  2. Rancho Style

    Vicente Bluffs Reserve dazzles anytime, but during the golden hour it’s an absolute knockout. Majestic rocky bluffs, dreamy ocean views, and a picturesque lighthouse are just a few of the reasons.

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  3. Inn-spiration Point!

    For more than a century, people have been hiking or mountain biking to West Point Inn for good reason. Perched at 1,785 feet on the southern slope of Mount Tamalpais, the historic inn has sweeping views from the Marin Headlands to the San Francisco skyline.

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  4. Hike to the Sierra Buttes Fire Lookout in the Lakes Basin

    Lookout for This View!

    Sierra Buttes Lookout, at a lofty 8,591 feet, is a memory maker for its pucker-worthy stairway to the tower’s balcony. It's a 5-mile (round-trip) hike to reach it. And the reward? Epic!

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