All in Northern CA

  1. Couple sitting at a bench overlooking the Santa Cruz mountains at sunrise at El Sereno Preserve in the South Bay

    Romancing the Outdoors

    Romance and the great outdoors … they just kinda go together, if you know where to go! While we can’t guarantee that these five adventures will put you in the mood, we can guarantee that they will put you ... outdoors! Cupid's gotta handle the rest.

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  2. Hiker overlooking the Santa Cruz Mountains at Upper La Honda Creek Preserve

    Reserve These A-list Hikes

    The South Bay has lots of A-list hiking areas, and some currently require reserving a spot or knowing best times to go. Here are three places worth planning ahead for in the coming weeks.

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  3. Woman walking on wide open beach in Pescadero

    Open Wide!

    You like a little room with your roam? These hikes and bike rides are good bets for enjoying wide-open spaces, trails less traveled, and some wiggle room if things get tight!

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  4. Sponsored
    2026-06-03

    Take the Exit to the Best of the San Francisco Peninsula

    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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  5. Woman snowshoe hiking at Castle Pass overlooking the mountains in Tahoe National Forest

    Inspiration Points!

    Refresh your outdoors list and head for three beautiful adventures with brilliant vantages and vistas to inspire. From a snowshoe hike to a sunrise surprise, get a new perspective for 2021.

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  6. Woman walking on Limantour Beach in Point Reyes National Seashore

    Wild Wild Coast

    Do you like long walks on the beach? These three spots offer beautiful bluffside hikes with incredible vantages and beach walking too. See wildlife like elephant seals and spy Mavericks surf break.

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  7. Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco

    New Year, New Trails

    2021, we're ready for new perspectives! From a brand new trail in the South Bay to a new pedestrian connector bridge and marsh in SF's Presidio, here are three ways to put some happy in your new year.

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  8. Woman on a Tree Swing overlooking the Pacific at Mount Tam in Marin County

    Top 10 of 2020

    In a year that was filled with choppy waters, one thing was a safe harbor: the great outdoors. Local trails and parks were a welcome respite as we navigated a new reality. As we look to the future we're also going to close out 2020 by sharing our annual best outdoor adventures of the year. In no particular order, here are the Top 10 Adventures of 2020. Onward. 

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  9. Woman walking trail overlooking the Pacific Ocean at Hawk Hill in Marin County

    Team Favorites

    Thank you to our 2020 team for bringing the great outdoors home in a most challenging year. Meet our contributing content producers and get ideas from their personal favorite California adventures.

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  10. Woman hugging sheep at Hidden Villa Farm in the South Bay

    Comfort and Joy Outdoors

    From a hike that includes a farm filled with delightful animals, to a trail less-traveled on Mount Tam and a San Francisco classic, here are some holiday hikes for comfort and joy outside.

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  11. Woman watching a sunset at Windy Hill Preserve in the South Bay

    Sunset and Mistletoe Hikes

    The holidays are different in 2020 but you can still find comfort and joy outside. Go on a sunset hike that's quieter this year, or see the mistletoe and fall colors that are still making a splash.

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  12. Biking in Alameda

    Let's Roll!

    Looking for some fun ways to spice up the holiday season outdoors? These 3 easy bike rides include patio pit stops to grab a drink & bite. Wheels down, masks up, the holidays are on!

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  13. Woman at Got Rock Beach Taking Photos at Sunset

    Gobble Up These Outdoor Adventures

    If there’s one thing 2020 has made vividly apparent, it’s how much we appreciate getting outside. Here’s to a safe and happy Thanksgiving, and a few ways to enjoy some local adventures.

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  14. Autumn Outdoors in Apple Hill and Nevada City

    Gold Rush Outdoors

    California's closest thing to autumn in New England is in places like Apple Hill. From trails festooned in fall foliage, to local farms and wineries, plus apple cider donuts, go for gold country!

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  15. Sponsored
    2026-06-03

    Take the Exit to the Best of the San Francisco Peninsula

    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.

    View
  16. Hike Olompali State Historic Park

    Color-fall Hikes for the Holidays

    Cooler temps and colorful foliage make autumn a great time of year for hitting the trails. These three easy hikes pack in a bit of extra fall color to go with your pumpkin spice whatnot.

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  17. Meditative Redwoods Hikes Forest Bathing in the SF Bay Area

    Redwood Therapy Hikes

    Shinrin-yoku is the Japanese art of forest bathing, developed as a way to take care of one’s health. These three meditative redwoods hikes will help to soothe your soul.

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  18. San Francisco Sutro Baths

    Haunted Hikes

    Who ghosts there? Find out on any of these Bay Area hikes filled with ghost stories and mysteries from the past ... and where spirits may still be present. Boo-yeah!

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  19. Hike the Oursan Trail at Briones Reservoir

    Secret Watersides

    From a tiny beach with warm-ish water to a creekside ramble and a wide-open trail less traveled: Explore, hike, and relax at any of these less known waterside escapes throughout the Bay Area.

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  20. Sonoma County Great Outdoors Boon Hotel and Spa

    Uncork These Adventures!

    Discover Sonoma County's coastal hikes, hidden beaches, secret redwoods, tent-cabin stays, and vineyard bike rides. Come for the wine, stay for the outdoors!

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  21. Hike the redwoods at Henry Cowell State Park

    Redwoods Right Now

    2020's symbol of resilience: the redwood. While some redwood havens are currently closed, there are still places you go in the South Bay for your redwood fix. Here are 3 redwood respites to hike right now.

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  22. Briones Regional Park hike in autumn

    Autumn Trails

    Autumn is a lovely season for exploring Northern California's outdoor wonders: coastal trails, picnic spots overlooking the ocean, and churning colors along the oak-dotted East Bay hills.

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Trending Stories NorCal

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  1. Muir Woods Night Tour

    Thousands of people flock to Muir Woods every year, yet only a few see it at night, when this beloved park is experienced in a whole new light. The Muir Woods Night Tour happens on the last Friday of every month through October.

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  2. Slide Ranch Marin

    Slide On Over

    Marin's Slide Ranch has a popular neighbor in the Muir Beach Overlook. But don’t overlook Slide! This open-to-the-public nonprofit organization sits on 134 acres of coastline and is filled with animals, Pacific scenery, and an adjacent hiking trail.

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  3. Sponsored

    Take the Exit to the Best of the San Francisco Peninsula

    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.

    View
  4. Hello, Sur!

    Big Sur is home to numerous fantastic beaches and coves, so which one do you choose? Go for the beach that's quintessential Big Sur (and dog-friendly!). Pfeiffer Beach in Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. Its signature lilac-colored sand is waiting for your feet!

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Trending Stories SoCal

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  1. Waterfall Hunter

    If you ask a local in Reno about one of the best hiking trails in town, odds are high they’ll point you to Hunter Creek Falls. It’s a year-round favorite, but it absolutely shines in spring, when desert peach wildflowers make a splash—and so does the marquee waterfall.

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  2. Wapama Wows

    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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  3. Bike the Coastal Trail to Pillar Point Harbor in Half Moon Bay

    Ride and Seek

    Oceanside breezes, beautiful beaches, a car-free pathway for biking, and beer at the end: You’re on a roll! The San Mateo Coast was made for beach hopping and beer tasting … and it all goes down smooth as part of an 8-mile out-and-back bike ride.

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  4. Tamtastic Sunset

    Sure, the East Peak of Mount Tam is absolutely spectacular at sunset, but some magic-hour enthusiasts are onto a fresh perspective in getting a little more personal space for their panoramic viewings.

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