Hike to New Heights

Some of Northern California's best summits are just waiting to be hiked! Whether you point your compass north, south, or east—here are three great peaks that'll give you a fresh perspective … and killer views!

Week: 06.19.2015
Regions: Northern CA

Bald Is Beautiful

Hike Bald Hill in Marin

Just when you think you've seen Mount Tam's best stuff—here comes another Tamtastic summit hike. The north side of Tam is home to five sparkling lakes, all of which have lovely hiking trails. But trails from Phoenix Lake rise … to a brilliant vista known as Bald Hill. And this hi
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British Columbia's Mountain Playground

Hike, Bike and Adventure in Whistler

Think California has it all? You should see our nearby neighbor to the north! British Columbia, Canada, is one of the world’s best—and most beautiful—base camps for adventure. You can enjoy all kinds of outdoor pursuits in one of BC’s flagship destinations: Whistler. The winter s
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Vollmer Victory

Hike to Vollmer Peak in Tilden Regional Park

Inspiration's just the start of this 6.8-mile (round-trip) hike up the highest peak in the Berkeley Hills. Located at the southern end of Tilden Regional Park, Vollmer Peak rises 1,905 feet. The diverse trail to the summit begins at popular Inspiration Point and travels through p
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Jump for Judah!

Mt Judah Hike in Tahoe Donner

Tackle Tahoe's deservedly popular Mt. Judah loop this summer and you'll reach new heights in more ways than one. The 4.6-mile wonderland hike starts at 7,000 feet on the famed Pacific Crest Trail along Donner Pass Drive. And things just keep looking up from step one. First, ascen
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Trending Stories NorCal

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  1. Sequoia Re-opens Crystal Cave

    Step inside Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park's hidden world by visiting the newly re-opened Crystal Cave—the only cave in the parks open to the public. Closed for four years, this rare marble karst cavern is welcoming visitors once again, but only through the summer season!

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  2. Afternoon on the Island

    What is it about tiny islands in the middle of lakes? There’s something that just draws you in. It’s even more fun when getting there is half the adventure because you have to reach it by canoe, kayak, paddleboat, or a ranger-guided boat tour!

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  3. Easiest Best Hike in the World

    Choose the easiest and most view-rewarding hike in Yosemite. Okay, we’ll go first: the combination of hiking to Sentinel Dome and Taft Point. Both of these lookouts are within a couple miles of each other on Glacier Point Road

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  4. Hiker in the forest at Mount Sutro in San Francisco

    San Francisco's Middle Earth

    No need to travel to New Zealand to visit Middle Earth. San Francisco’s Mount Sutro Open Space is practically Hobbiton—a hidden “shire” in the middle of the city. Okay, maybe not quite as magical, but still an incredible place to take a hike in city limits.

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Trending Stories SoCal

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  1. Locals' Feature: Jim Litchfield, Owner of Reno Fly Shop

    If there's a river, you're likely to find Jim Litchfield there. As the owner of Reno Fly Shop, Nevada's premier fly fishing outfitter and shop, Jim's passion for rivers knows no bounds: he's fished in places near and far, including Alaska, Bolivia and Christmas Island. But home is beautiful Reno, where he has been running Reno Fly Shop and leading tailored river float and fly fishing adventures (including beginner-friendly options) for over a decade.

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  2. Can't Top This

    San Francisco’s Presidio was already a fantastic place to hang out for the afternoon, a beautiful site within the largest urban national park in the United States (the Golden Gate National Recreation Area). And Presidio Tunnel Tops is like a cherry on top. Make that two cherries on top, with the newly opened (July 2025) Outpost Meadow, a 1.5-acre green space located at Old Mason Street across from the Crissy Field Marsh in the Presidio.

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  3. Volcanic Activity

    Northern California is home to one of the most unique ecosystems in the country: Lassen Volcanic National Park. The region features geothermal areas, including the largest dome volcano in the world, Lassen Peak. Hike to the top of this active volcano on a 5-mile out-and-back.  

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  4. Oh Ryan

    Sure, it’s those whimsical trees that give Joshua Tree National Park its marquee billing; but this beautiful landscape also has surrounding mountains and its night sky—one of the darkest in Southern California and designated an International Dark Sky Park. Joshua Tree has four allowable stargazing parking lots, and a newly opened haven for spending the night nearby...

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