All in Northern CA

  1. Beer Gardens for Mom

    It's that time of year … to thank Mom with beer! And don’t forget lots of flowers. Here are three botanical beauties, with nearby beer spots for relaxing afterwards. Cheers (and beers) to you, Mom!

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  2. State of Play

    How many state parks does California have? 279! How many have you explored? Start counting! To celebrate California State Park Foundation’s upcoming Park Advocacy Day, we selected three State Historic Parks well worth a visit.

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  3. Let's Be Dorks

    Fanny pack: check. Sun visor: check. Ego: leave it at home. It's time to explore your local outdoors the way a tourist might! Here are three great ways to dork-out(doors).

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  4. Sponsored
    2023-03-08

    Top Dog Destination

    Redding is a pawsitively ideal destination for you and your four-legged pal. Surrounded by Shasta and Lassen and mountainous Whiskeytown, with year-round sunny days and the gleaming Sacramento River running right through it, Redding is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream.

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  5. Less Beaches? Mo Beaches!

    If mo money means mo problems, then what do mo beaches give you? Mo bliss! Head to Monterey to do some beach hopping at three of California’s top State Beaches. Mo Monterey, please!

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  6. What's New?

    A new pair of shoes, that new car smell… We all love new, and the North Bay has some new ways to get outdoors. Who knew?

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  7. Redwoods Rambles

    The Santa Cruz Mountains are home to some of the most beautiful redwoods on earth. With wildflowers newly blooming and the region's signature banana slugs making an appearance, spring's a good time to hike among the big reds.

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  8. Strong and Rugged

    Do you like the strong rugged types? With all due respect to Big Sur, there’s another stretch of coastline that’s got it going on. Jenner and the Sonoma Coast have big views, beautiful hidden beaches, and a bevy of aquatic adventures.

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  9. Swing Down to the Coast

    There's a reason people like hiking to high places in San Luis Obispo. This Central Coast adventureland is surrounded by ancient volcanoes, rolling green hills, and a dramatic coastline. Toss in some tree swings, and see SLO from new heights on any of these three hikes.

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  10. The Great Artdoors

    Next time you want to get your art fix, step outside for a hike. Here are three top places to see cool works of art in the great outdoors.

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  11. Roadside Attractions

    Some of the best scenery this time of year is found just off major thoroughfares where tranquil marshes and wetlands are traced by hiking and biking trails. The bonus: abundant birdlife is peaking right now. Here are three roadside attractions worth flocking to!

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  12. Hikes to Brunch

    Don't just go to brunch, hike to brunch! From East Bay to North Bay, here are three great hikes with tasty places to grab a bite en route or when you're finished. Trail mix just got an upgrade.

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  13. Graytest Hits

    Gray is the unofficial color of winter, which can be a good thing. Here are a few ways to put a little gray in your day.

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  14. Winter Beaches

    Beach-going in the summer? So cliché. Hitting the beach in winter? How avant-garde! Here are three sandy havens that are winter-wonderful, and dog-friendly too!

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  15. Sponsored
    2023-03-08

    Top Dog Destination

    Redding is a pawsitively ideal destination for you and your four-legged pal. Surrounded by Shasta and Lassen and mountainous Whiskeytown, with year-round sunny days and the gleaming Sacramento River running right through it, Redding is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream.

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  16. Tahoe Time

    It's home to the largest alpine lake in North America, some of the world’s best ski resorts, and off-the-beaten path places for finding fun or solitude. Tahoe in winter is true blue, and ready for you!

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  17. New Perspectives

    Start 2015 with a fresh point of view. From bluff strolling bliss to a secret mountain ridge ramble—and a tiny urban park in between—here are three ways to gain a new perspective this year.

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  18. 12 Years of Adventure

    12 Years of Adventure

    Twelve years ago we launched the first edition of Weekend Sherpa for the San Francisco Bay Area. Back then the song of summer was "SexyBack" by Justin Timberlake, and Talladega Nights was topping the box office. While change is inevitable, one thing for us remains the same: Our commitment to inspiring local adventures. There are no shortcuts, and we don't crowdsource. We've done a lot of exploring over the years to share the best stuff with you! Here are 12 of our favorite adventures.

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Trending Stories NorCal

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  1. E-Hills

    Elephant Mountain and Ewing Hill are two of the Bay Area’s best-kept secrets. This 3.4-mile loop from Hidden Villa offers panoramic views alongside a hands-on farm experience.

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  2. Drive-In Whale Watching

    Just north of Point Reyes, Bodega Head sits high on the tip of a curving, thumb-like peninsula and offers excellent whale watching in winter.

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  3. Hike Mount Tamalpais into Muir Woods

    Muir Woods Through the Backdoor

    A backdoor entrance into Muir Woods? Hike a tranquil trail that starts in Mount Tamalpais State Park and quietly leads into Muir Woods, letting you avoid the busyness of the main parking area.

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  4. Sponsored

    Top Dog Destination

    Redding is a pawsitively ideal destination for you and your four-legged pal. Surrounded by Shasta and Lassen and mountainous Whiskeytown, with year-round sunny days and the gleaming Sacramento River running right through it, Redding is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

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  1. Stay at Wuksachi Lodge in Sequoia National Park

    Stay in a modern yet rustic lodge with vaulted wood-beam ceilings, grand stone fireplaces, panoramic windows overlooking a snow-filled forest, and jagged mountain peaks all around. Wuksachi Lodge in Sequoia National Park has adventure trails leaving right from its lobby.

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  2. Point Dume Bloom!

    On this 2-mile loop hike in Mailibu's Point Dume Natural Preserve, you can find yourself walking through fields of brilliant yellow specimens—some of them chest high and taller—but also dip down to pristine beaches and tide pools, possibly crowning your visit with a gray-whale sighting.

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  3. woman hiking Stornetta Public Lands

    Strolling Stornetta

    Big Sur has some competition. Located along the rugged Mendocino County coastline, the 1,665-acre Point Arena-Stornetta Public Lands is a spectacular place to meander for miles along bluffs overlooking small coves, sea caves, dunes, and clusters of offshore islands.

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  4. man snowshoeing Calaveras Big Trees

    Big Foot in the Big Trees

    When dinosaurs roamed the earth they shared space with giant sequoias, the biggest trees in the world. Get up close to these bold beauties on a docent-led snowshoe trek in Calaveras Big Trees State Park.

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