Top 10 2019 Adventures (Readers Favorites)

It’s the day after Christmas, and our last issue of the year! So we’re going out like we always do, giving you the Top 10 Adventures of the year and adding on an 11th because there’s always a tie. In no particular order here are the adventures you most liked in 2019. See you in 2020!

Week: 12.26.2019
Regions: Northern CA

Oh So Power-Fall!

Yosemite Hikes to Vernal and Nevada Waterfall

Nevada Falls Mist Trail hike Yosemite
Who doesn't love a good waterfall? Well, this classic hike in Yosemite gives you two bangs for your hiking buck. But get an early start, because this is one of the most popular trails in the park.
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Bike to Beers (& Bites)

Bike the Contra Costa Canal Trail in the East Bay

Ride your bike on a car-free trail and take a break at an alehouse ... yes, please! Backed by looming Mount Diablo, the East Bay’s Contra Costa Canal Trail is an easygoing 23-mile (all-in) trail following its namesake canal, passing parks and open space.
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Tahoe's Trio of Lake Vistas

Hike to Middle Velma Lake in Tahoe

They say good things come in threes, and it’s true when you embark on this 8-mile (round-trip) hike in Tahoe’s Desolation Wilderness. It gives you three excellent lake vistas: Eagle Lake, Middle Velma Lake, and Emerald Bay on Lake Tahoe. From the trailhead, follow signs to Eagle
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Pomo Pitch

Hike-in Camping at Pomo Canyon on Sonoma Coast

Secluded camping under the redwoods and by a creek … now that’s a good pitch! Get to it at Pomo Canyon Environmental Campground, an absolute gem within Sonoma Coast State Park. This walk-in-only campground has hillside options and spots closer to the creek.
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Sunol Salutations

Hike to Big Views in Sunol Regional Wilderness

New Year, new points of view … lots of views, thanks to a less-hiked trail in the East Bay. Well-known Sunol Regional Wilderness has 6,800 acres of bountiful terrain, yet few hikers actually experience the best views the park offers. Those are found along this 4-mile loop in Suno
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From Peak to Beach

Hike the North Peak of Montara Mountain, then Hit the Beach!

Morning on the mountain, afternoon at the beach, and in between both: banner ocean views. It’s all within 3 miles’ reach on the Peninsula when you get an early start at Montara State Beach. From the parking lot, beeline for Montara Mountain’s north peak trailhead, which is across
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Meditative Woodlands Hike

Hike the Meditative Dean Trail in Huddart County Park

Hike the redwood forest at Huddart County Park in Woodside
Relaxation apps and calming soundtracks are nice, but stepping outdoors for this meditation hike in the redwoods is better! This 2-mile (round-trip) hike on the Dean Trail at Huddart Park winds you through woodland and a redwood forest, alongside a seasonal creek and to an absolu
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Big Time Hike

Hike Mariposa Grove in Yosemite National Park

Yosemite Mariposa Grove hike Wawona Point
This is the largest grove of giant sequoias in Yosemite. We recommend this grand tour hike at 7.5 miles which includes a spectacular overlook.
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Force of Nature

Experience San Francisco's Salesforce Park in SOMA

Finally, “pardon our dust” has turned into “enjoy our park!” San Francisco’s Salesforce Park in SOMA is a beautiful urban escape surrounded by skyscrapers. What do you wanna do? Because this four blocks of wonderment has some really cool stuff! You can lounge at a café table or h
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Your Private Cabin Is Calling

Yosemite's New Explorer Cabins at Tenaya Lodge

A private cabin in Yosemite tucked among sugar pines? Yes please! The brand-new Explorer Cabins at Tenaya Lodge make your next Yosemite getaway even more relaxing. Each standalone cabin has a small kitchen, deck with lounge chairs, two bedrooms, and all modern furnishings, includ
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Jenner's New Views

Hike new trails at Jenner Headlands Preserve in Sonoma County

Two women hiking a trail at Jenner Headlands on the Sonoma Coast
The beautifully developed trails at Jenner Headlands Preserve in Sonoma County offer access to quiet stretches of coastal redwood forest and huge views of the Pacific. It’s also a refreshing escape on hot days.
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2020 Hiking Calendar

2020 Hiking Calendar by POST

Just in time for the New Year, Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST) has their 2020 hiking calendar ready for download (no cost). The brand-new calendar gives you the top hikes to do each month in the Peninsula and South Bay.
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Trending Stories NorCal

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  1. Bear Hug

    This 5.5-mile loop through Coyote Lake-Harvey Bear Ranch County Park explores one of the newest segments of the acclaimed Bay Area Ridge Trail, one redolent with trees ranging from madrone and manzanita to buckeye and blue elderberry (with a bubbly post-hike bonus).

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  2. 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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  3. Bikers and walkers on the Bay Area Ridge Trail with the Golden Gate Bridge behind them

    National Park City Walk

    See San Francisco the way locals do by hiking the Presidio, a national park right in the city! Wooded trails, secluded beaches, and epic views of the Golden Gate Bridge feature on this 5.5-mile out-and-back on the Bay Area Ridge Trail. It’s a lovely slice of the City by the Bay.

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  4. 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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  1. Sponsored

    Tram to Cool Treks

    Elevate your fun, getting whisked from palm trees to alpine wilderness on the world’s largest rotating tramcar. The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway transports you up and away on a 2.5-mile scenic route from the desert floor to the refreshing wilderness of Mount San Jacinto State Park.

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  2. Coming Up Roses

    Looking to spice up your hiking life? Give your partner a rose—Mount Rose! The 10-mile out-and-back peak hike goes up to one of the grandest views in all of Lake Tahoe. Get ready f

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  3. A group of people clamored around the summit marker at Mission Peak in the Bay Area

    Your Mission Is Less Crowded

    Mission Peak is one of the Bay Area’s most popular mountains, with many hikers climbing every weekend. Skip the crowds with this 6-mile loop up the less-traveled southern route.

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  4. Vista Hermosa Park in Echo Park Los Angeles

    Vista Hermosa, Echo That!

    Tucked in Echo Park, the little-known gem of Vista Hermosa Natural Park feels worlds away thanks to its serene beauty and thoughtful design. At 11.5 acres there’s still plenty to explore. And it's got a premier view of the iconic Los Angeles skyline.

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