All in Northern CA

  1. Ghosts of SF's Great Outdoors

    Wanna give your boo some boo? Scare up a romantic weekend in SF with these three outdoor excursions that are full of charm, with a hint of haunted ...

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  2. What's New? These Adventures!

    There's just something about that new car smell. Same goes for these fresh adventures. From Tahoe's recently opened Via Ferrata to finding UC Berkeley’s hidden spots, plus a blue whale sighting in SF, here's what's new to do!

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  3. Wonder-Fall Outdoors

    Fall colors are beginning to pop! Enjoy some autumn outings that shine this time of year. From a quiet redwoods hike to a peaceful bike ride by a reservoir, and a hidden picnic gem in coastal Marin, here are some of the best places for a wonder-fall afternoon!

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  4. Sponsored
    2026-02-02

    Warm Up to Winter in Reno Tahoe

    2026 is just getting started, but there’s one place already rising to the top as the best for adventure and relaxation: Reno Tahoe. The awe—and ahhhs—begin as soon as you arrive. G

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  5. Redwoods All To Yourself

    In case you didn't hear, October was just declared California Redwoods Month, celebrating our iconic trees from the coast to the Sierra Nevada. Go on the hunt for redwood October! Here are 10 of the best places to escape the crowds and explore these behemoth beauties.

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  6. Fall for These Views

    The weather’s still good, the leaves are just starting to turn, and daylight still lingers until after 6pm … Autumn hikes are awesome. From a peak-bagging hike in Napa, to a short trek to one of Lake Tahoe’s best lookouts, and an East Bay ridge with a reservoir vista, here are three hikes with views to fall for.

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  7. Lake Wanders

    Give summer a peaceful sendoff with a simple wander where trails are quieter and lakes take center stage.

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  8. Reno Tahoe Trifecta

    Ready for the Reno Tahoe Trifecta? If you can knock out all three, you'll bag one of Tahoe's tallest peaks, paddle the lake in a clear kayak, and sample craft beers by way of a human-powered bike trolley. Ready, set, Reno Tahoe!

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  9. Bike Rides & Breweries

    Celebrate the start of autumn and the season of Oktoberfest with some bike rides with brew pub bonuses. Here are five pedals where you can go for a spin and enjoy some craft brews. The flavors of fall are flowing.

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  10. Hikes Outside the Box

    Getting outside this long weekend? As in, outside the Bay Area? From a swim hole in Tahoe and a hike-in campsite in Mendocino to a calming coastal trail in Carmel, here are some top hikes outside the Bay Area but still within our great golden state!

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  11. Hidden Beaches

    Looking for some off-the-radar beach time? We’ve rounded up three hidden favorites across the North Bay. Bonus: Two are dog-friendly. Beach you to it!

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  12. Peninsula Pleasures

    Hike under the redwoods, bike ride by the sea, lounge in the soft sands of a hidden beach … the pleasures just keep on keeping on when you fill your weekend with the beauty of the San Mateo Coast.

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  13. Sleeping Under the Stars

    Slept under the stars lately? It’s a summer rite of passage! And backpacking makes it all the more fun. From beginner-friendly short and sweet overnights to a multi-day epic trek that’s a classic, here are three ways to see the stars before summer says goodbye.

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  14. Find Your Quiet Hike

    Summer's a bustling time in the Bay Area, but you can still find trails with a quieter vibe. From redwood groves to sunset views, lakes, and panoramas, here are some hikes that see fewer folks and abundant beauty.

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  15. Sponsored
    2026-02-02

    Warm Up to Winter in Reno Tahoe

    2026 is just getting started, but there’s one place already rising to the top as the best for adventure and relaxation: Reno Tahoe. The awe—and ahhhs—begin as soon as you arrive. G

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  16. Beer Adventures

    Bottoms up, beer drinkers! Napa, Berkeley, and San Francisco are on a roll with new craft breweries located close to car-free bike trails offering pure pedaling pleasure.

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  17. Yoga With Goats and Other Wild Ideas

    You like wild ideas? Then goat wild, you won't egret it! From farm yoga with baby goats in Half Moon Bay to spying tule elk on a classic coastal hike, or biking among egrets in the East Bay, here are some terrific ways to stretch your legs and your sense of wonder.

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  18. Waterhole Hikes

    Nature's answer to the water park? Waterholes! Beat the heat on these hikes with a refreshing bonus: from dipping your toes, getting mist on your face, or going all in!

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  19. Dog Days of Summer

    Got a dog riding shot gun? Atta boy, or girl! From beaches to hikes and even canoeing, these Northern CA adventures will get everybody’s tail wagging.

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  20. Just Add Water!

    Who needs a pool to lounge by this summer when you have mother nature! Hike, bike, and just relax by these lakes, rivers, and coastal settings. Verified fresh!

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  21. Mountain Hot Springs!

    Nature’s answer to happy hour: the mountain hot spring. We’ve scouted out a few to soothe your bones and soak in the views. Hey, hot stuff!

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  22. Summer Refresh

    Hit the refresh button, in more ways than one. These water-centric adventures will keep you cool through summer!

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Trending Stories NorCal

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  1. Mike Zakowski (aka Mike the Baker) standing in front of his wood-fire oven at the Sonoma Valley Farmers' Market

    NEW! Walkin' and Talkin': Break Bread, Go On a Panoramic Hike

    What’s a world-traveling, medal-winning baker’s favorite local hike? Weekend Sherpa co-founder Brad Day caught up with Mike Zakowski (aka Mike the Baker) at Sonoma’s Friday farmers' market, where his wood-fired loaves draw loyal crowds. Between bites of fresh-baked bread, they talk baking, travel, and why Sonoma's Overlook Trail is one of his favorite quick, panoramic hikes.

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  2. Hidden Botanical Garden

    Forget a dozen roses. Give your love a botanical garden. Hidden on the western slope of Sonoma Valley’s Mayacamas Mountains, Sonoma Botanical Garden has one of the Bay Area’s best displays of Asian flora—and it’s a brilliant place for a quiet picnic and some calming contemplations.

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  3. Sunnyvale and Salty

    For up-close bird watching, it’s hard to beat a walk along the San Francisco Bay. This 5-mile loop on the Sunnyvale coast is a favorite of local wildlife photographers.

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  4. A man takes a break at a temple spot on a hike at Dragon Mountain in Milptas

    Dragon Quest

    The newly reopened, 4-mile out-and-back hike at Dragon Mountain in Milpitas mixes the physical with the spiritual for a serene hiking experience.

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Trending Stories SoCal

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  1. Sponsored

    Warm Up to Winter in Reno Tahoe

    2026 is just getting started, but there’s one place already rising to the top as the best for adventure and relaxation: Reno Tahoe. The awe—and ahhhs—begin as soon as you arrive. G

    View
  2. A woman stands at Dante's View in Death Valley, looking out to Telescope Peak and Manly Lake, Badwater Basin below.

    Sunset Hike at Dante's View

    It’s one of the world’s best places to watch a sunset. Dante’s View is a 5,476-foot vantage of the whole southern basin of Death Valley from the top of the Black Mountains. Right now there's a banner and bonus view of a rare lake formation that appears only after big rains.

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  3. It's a Waterfall Life

    Tahquitz Canyon’s crystalline stream and lush stands of desert lavender, honey mesquite, and leafy sycamores is home to an easy day hike with a big bonus: a 60-foot waterfall that runs with remarkable gusto after winter rains.

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  4. Oh Snow Nice

    Live in California long enough, and you’ll come to know the rite of passage called “going to the snow”–when we ditch our fair-weather cities and towns in search of winter weather. Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks deliver a winter wonderland worth a visit if there’s been a good dose of snow.

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