All in Northern CA

  1. Waterside Wanders

    Whether it's a lake, a reservoir, or a quiet bay, here are three trails to savor the season and take in some reflection time.

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  2. Stairways to Heavenly Views

    Quiet pathways, iconic ocean views, incredible hilltop perspectives, art—oh yeah! Step up to these Bay Area stairway hikes for heavenly views.

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  3. Summer Nights

    Summer nights and the living is easy. From a picnic at sea to a lighthouse hike and a place to see a perfect starry night, here are three great bets to savor the season.

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  4. Sponsored

    Extra-Celestial Central Oregon

    Some trips promise you the moon and the stars. And this one delivers in a big way, plus throws in some extra planets for your viewing pleasure. From Bend, Sunriver, and Sisters to Antelope Basecamp in the remote high desert.

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  5. CA Backpacking and Wilderness Hikes

    California’s Sierra Nevada is a boon of wilderness wonders, from waterfalls and lakes to quiet and secluded backcountry camping amid forest and jagged peaks. Here are three amazing backpacking adventures, including a few that can be done as long day hikes.

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  6. Coastal Camping and Hikes

    As the summer keeps coasting, get coasting! These three camping spots are blissfully brought to you by beautiful coastal locations that are prime time for pitching your tent by the water.

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  7. Long Live the Redwoods

    Massive and resilient, redwoods survived the Ice Age—and now they’re also having to endure the climate crisis, with a lot of help from heroic firefighters. In appreciation of redwoods, resiliency, and the heroics of first responders, here are three beautiful places to find respite in the redwoods.

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  8. Here Comes The Sun

    Inhale, exhale, and stay sunny this summer. Sun Valley, Idaho, is famous for its epic outdoors, but nature nurtures in so many different ways here: mountain yoga, summit hikes filled with flowing waters, wildflowers and vast alpine views, and car-free bike trails to botanical gardens plus fresh food stops. Oh, and those romantic dark sky starry nights...

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  9. Summer Wheeling

    Summer breeze feels better on two wheels. From a multi-use trail that hugs the coastal blufftops to an easy rolling ramble through wine country, these bike rides were meant for easy wheeling.

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  10. Fourth and Out!

    Beyond the BBQs and parades, find some time to relax and reflect in the great outdoors. From kayaking in wine country to walking beneath giant redwood trees, we have some ideas to get your summer swinging.

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  11. Hike to the Peak of Mount Elwell in the Lakes Basin

    Long On Summer!

    Longing for a long hike? Well, you've come to the right time of year! Summer lets you linger later on the trails, and these three longer hikes are worth the miles.

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  12. For Hank

    In celebration of Hank and all dogs (including the ones who now run free in our hearts), here are some of Hank's favorite dog-friendly things to do in Northern California.

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  13. Hike, Paddle, Repeat

    Start summer refreshed with these coastal hikes and paddle adventures from Point Reyes and San Francisco to a tiny island in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

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  14. Where to Camp

    Whether you like your camping adventure on an island, close to the sea, or at a reservoir with no motorized boats, these three places hit the spot … the sweet spot for pitching a tent and enjoying some hikes and kayak explorations.

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  15. Sponsored

    Extra-Celestial Central Oregon

    Some trips promise you the moon and the stars. And this one delivers in a big way, plus throws in some extra planets for your viewing pleasure. From Bend, Sunriver, and Sisters to Antelope Basecamp in the remote high desert.

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  16. Keep Your Cool

    It's the unofficial start to summer and things are heating up. So quench your thirst and keep your cool on some bike rides to brew pubs, hike-in beaches, and urban explorations.

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  17. Urban and Wild!

    Some of the best hikes happen right in city limits. These three outdoor escapes are in urban spaces yet bring a faraway feeling because of their natural wild wonders—from lush forest to wildlands with mountain views, and a peak offering iconic scenery.

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  18. All Ride Now!

    One thing we know for sure: Everything's going to be all ride! These three Bay Area bike trails have beautiful views and bonuses like beaches and picnic spots. All ride, all ride, all ride.

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  19. Game Plan for These Outdoor Adventures

    Whether it's booking wilderness permits, finding first-come, first-served options, or just setting a date for a trip, it's good to have a game plan for some top outdoor adventures. Here are several favorites to plan for this summer.

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  20. Go Long

    These three Bay Area hiking trails range from 5 to 8 miles, and with longer days you can savor the scenery, from wildflowers to mural art, beautiful peaks, and sweeping vistas.

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  21. Hiker walking into the Thurston Lava Tube in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

    Eight Great National Parks

    Happy National Park Week! Choosing some favorites is like putting together a Greatest Hits album: We think it's all good! Here's a compilation of 8 great national parks and some of our favorite adventures within them ...

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  22. Two women at the entrance of the Lavender Labyrinth at Bees N Blooms in Santa Rosa

    A Confetti of Colors

    From a lavender labyrinth on a bee farm, to wildflower walks, and hikes with blue ocean vistas and the Golden Gate, these five outdoor excursions are as colorful and fun as Easter Egg art.

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A Hiker looking over a mountain range

Your Inbox to the Outdoors

Stay up to date with our weekly recommendations on where to explore locally in California.

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  1. Woman walking down the stairs overlooking the ocean on the Coastal Trail in San Francisco

    America's Best Urban Hike

    Long ago we dubbed it the “Grand Walk” and said it was one of the most scenic and stunning trails in the West. We were wrong. This is the most scenic urban hike in America!

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  2. Hike or Bike the Skyline

    A new section of the Bay Area Ridge Trail is open for biking, hiking, or horseback riding along the 12-mile (out-and-back) Skyline Watershed Ridge Trail.

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  3. Woman riding a bike on the the Vine Trail in Napa Valley

    Through the Grapevine

    Cycle California’s most famous wine valley on the car-free Vine Trail, an ambitious project going through the heart of Napa Valley. Park your car and ride 6 miles from Napa to Yountville for lunch.

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  1. Stars, Steaks, and Strange Brews

    Forget Michelin stars. Deep in Oregon's high desert, legendary Cowboy Dinner Tree is destination dining at its most deliciously down-to-earth, well worth the required reservation and desert drive to reach it.

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  2. Outback to the Future

    Some must-see destinations are written in the stars. Deep in Oregon's remote southern high desert lies the largest certified International Dark Sky Sanctuary on the planet. With 2.5 million acres of protected dark skies, you get the best of the celestial out here in what's known as the Oregon Outback, including geothermal soaks and an incredible playa that's a hidden gem.

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  3. Sponsored

    Extra-Celestial Central Oregon

    Some trips promise you the moon and the stars. And this one delivers in a big way, plus throws in some extra planets for your viewing pleasure. From Bend, Sunriver, and Sisters to Antelope Basecamp in the remote high desert.

    View