All in Northern CA

  1. Weekend Sherpa Team

    The Outdoors We're Craving

    We're sharing what adventures we're most craving and plan to do as soon as the time is right

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  2. How to #OptInside during Shelter in Place

    How to #OptInside

    Getting a little stir crazy? Covid-19 has unfortunately shut down a lot of open space. What to do? We have a few ways to bring the great outdoors indoors. We've called it #OptInside. Check out the list of easy things to do indoors.

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  3. Social Distance Hike and Bike Rides

    Social Distance Hikes and Bike Rides

    Social Distance Hikes and Bike Rides (with important ways for safety during coronavirus)

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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. Bay Area hikes to keep your calm

    Hikes to Keep Your Calm

    From redwoods to rolling hills and seaside bluffs, these three hikes are great for the soul

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  6. Peaceful Afternoon Hikes in the Bay Area

    Afternoon Delight

    Go on a leisurely afternoon hike with beaches, birds, benches and beautiful views.

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  7. Short hikes to great views in the East Bay

    Short Hikes, Cool Views

    Who says good views require big hikes? These three tame trails in the East Bay offer visual rewards without adding extra miles.

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  8. Biking to Wineries in the Russian River region

    Russian River Rediscovered

    Here's your Russian River guide to redwood hikes, bike rides to wineries, and sunsets by the sea.

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  9. Love in the Great Outdoors

    Some of the best dates happen in the outdoors. Whale watching, wine tasting, walking among murals or down to a restored lighthouse … whatever your outdoor loves may be, here are some options!

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  10. Table Rock hike Robert Louis Stevenson Napa

    Winter Hikes in Napa

    Before hitting the big Cabs, hit the big views! The cooler months are a fantastic time to do any of these three vista hikes that lead to huge panoramas.

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  11. Winter Wildlife Wonders

    Elephant seals, birds of all feathers, combine a wildlife hike and a beer for a wild weekend!

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  12. Airstream at Joshua Tree

    Desert Dream Trip

    Joshua Tree National Park is stunning in winter. Our top recommendations on exploring this dreamy desertscape in two days.

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  13. Where to Whale Watch: 3 Top Spots

    Whale hello there! Here are three of the top spots for combining hikes and wine tasting with amazing vantages for spying gray whales.

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  14. Easy Does It

    Ease into 2020 by trying something new, from a new wine country hike to a new trail in the South Bay.

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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. New Year Peak Hikes

    Kick off the decade with a classic peak hike in the Bay Area. Cheers to these views!

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  17. Top 10 2019 Adventures (Readers Favorites)

    The 2019 outdoor adventures Weekend Sherpa readers most liked in the San Francisco Bay Area and Northern California.

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  18. Just in Time for the Holidays

    Get into the holiday spirit on these classic Bay Area outings that are like a yule log for your soul.

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  19. The Coast Is Clear

    Go hike the hills, paddle to a lighthouse, and explore coastal caves near the classic beach town of Avila Beach.

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  20. Griswolding Outdoors!

    Rule #1 this holiday season: Getting outdoors is a great way to clear the air, and the head, after too much spiked eggnog and turkey talk. And hell-yeah, bring the whole family—you’re all in this together, merry and bright! Here are three ways to hike, drink, and birdsong your way to holiday bliss.

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  21. Reservoir Hikes

    If cabin fever has you thirsting for the outdoors, these three hikes are short (3 miles or less) and go straight to the source with excellent views of reservoirs.

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  22. Beaches & Hikes for the Weekend

    After all that turkey, pie, and political discussion, it’s time to take a break outside. We have just the ticket—from a dog-friendly beach in Marin to a hidden bench overlooking the San Mateo Coast, be thankful for the great outdoors.

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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.

Trending Stories NorCal

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  1. Hike Sierra Vista Open Space Preserve Mystery Walls

    Mystery Walls

    Crop circles, Stonehenge, California’s Mystery Walls … You don’t have to travel the world to see enigmas, including these stone walls within the South Bay's Sierra Vista Open Space Preserve.

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  2. 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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  3. 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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Trending Stories SoCal

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  1. 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
  2. Tree Town

    Home to an estimated 21,000 trees and 100 acres of parkland, South Pasadena has earned its nickname: the City of Trees. This 2.5-mile neighborhood walk lets you experience its leafy canopy up close, winding through charming streets and three of the city’s beloved parks.

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  3. Tahoe's Trio of Lake Vistas

    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: Eagl

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