All in Northern CA

  1. Super Sunsets

    These three spots in the North Bay deliver the golden goods. From a newly protected ridge top gem in Tiburon to a less-known knoll on Mount Tam, it’s time to get glowing!

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  2. Redding For You

    New Year, new adventures: Get Redding for a 2025 group getaway. This sunniest city in California is surrounded by Lassen, Shasta, and mountainous Whiskeytown National Recreation Area. Here are a few itineraries that get you up-close animal encounters at Turtle Bay, bike riding by murals, urban food and art, even line dancing lessons at a family-friendly warehouse brew pub. Are you Redding?

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  3. Try Something New

    Ready to do something new? From beginner-friendly scenic mountain biking, and a superb spot for spying Mavericks' big waves, to a park where you can hike and explore the great artdoors, here are three great ways to kick off 2025.

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  4. Sponsored
    2025-10-29

    Redding Lights and Silent Nights

    Give your holiday events calendar a major glow up this winter in California’s sunniest city. Redding is a revelation: Surrounded by iconic scenery like Mount Shasta, Lassen Volcanic National Park, and Whiskeytown National Recreation area.

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  5. woman hiking Mendocino Headland bluffs

    Bluffing Good Hikes for 2025

    Happy New Year! Plan some time for quiet contemplations and tranquil respites where you can think about 2025 and nurture yourself in nature. Here are three brilliant bluff hikes to find time for peace of mind. 

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  6. Top 10 Adventures of 2024

    Looking back, looking forward. As we wish you a 2025 filled with your favorite places and people and experiences, we wanted to share some of your favorite Weekend Sherpa stories in 2024. Here's the Top 10 of this past year. Onward!

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  7. A Most Viewtiful Holiday Season

    Wishing you happy holidays and time to find inspiration outdoors. Next week is our Top 10 Adventures of 2024 issue, and in the meantime check out these three San Francisco parks where you can find viewtiful inspiration over the holidays.

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  8. Silent Hikes

    We like the festive, but sometimes you need a nature break. These are three of the best hikes you do for tranquil settings amid trees, water, glittering views, and a labyrinth.

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  9. Two hikers at Bear Creek Redwoods Regional Preserve on a new trail.

    Tranquility in the Trees

    If you find yourself in overdrive during the season of holly jolly, take a tree break. These three Bay Area hikes, including a new trail, offer tranquility amid oaks, redwoods, and mixed forest.

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  10. Take a Break from Turkey Talk

    Hey! We're here too. Ready for some fresh air? We think these outings are really great, and that's not the turkey talking....

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  11. Reno Tahoe Care Package

    This season give someone (and yourself!) the ultimate care package. Experience Reno Tahoe in a whole new light. This Biggest Little City in the World combines tranquility in mountainous nature with sizzling entertainment, vibrant art, and a stellar food and drink culture. It’s where sunset hikes and soothing natural hot springs intersect with disco tubing and fireside après. And then there’s this giant indoor Ferris wheel….

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  12. Simply Ahhhtumn

    Take a breather with some easy and tranquil autumn hikes. See the changing colors, absorb beautiful views, and find tranquility at these three parks and preserves across the Bay Area.

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  13. Man hiking up a trail at Montara Mountain, with a view of the Pacific and Grey Whale sand beach in the background

    Hikes to Clear the Cobwebs

    Who needs some fresh air? Thanks to various organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area, these hikes are a vital part of lands saved from development and turned into nature havens for people and wildlife.

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  14. Spidey Senses!

    Happy Halloween. We’re debunking the myth of one creepie crawly, the tarantula. Often called the gentle giants of the arachnid world, tarantulas are important to the ecosystem, and this time of year you have a good chance of seeing some on any of these three autumn-filled hikes with beautiful views.

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  15. Sponsored
    2025-10-29

    Redding Lights and Silent Nights

    Give your holiday events calendar a major glow up this winter in California’s sunniest city. Redding is a revelation: Surrounded by iconic scenery like Mount Shasta, Lassen Volcanic National Park, and Whiskeytown National Recreation area.

    View
  16. State of Bliss

    Take a trip to the high desert this fall … the high desert you might not know but truly should! Washington State’s sunny and arid eastern side—from Wenatchee through Lake Chelan to the Methow Valley, bordered by North Cascades National Park—is an absolute revelation. Relish the apple capital of the world, the mountainous landscapes, rolling vineyards, pristine lakes, rivers, and waterfalls, and spirited small towns brimming with cuisine, art, and culture. Just a few hours east of Seattle, here’s a road trip itinerary to see this hidden gem of Washington State.

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  17. Fall-filling Bike Rides in the Bay Area

    Rolling with the fall season is eye candy for those who like earthy neutrals and crisp air. From redwood grove picnic stops, to wineries, farmstands, and restaurants, these three bike rides in the Bay Area are absolutely fall-filling.

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  18. Woman and her dog walking by Lake Lagunitas

    Quiet Hikes

    A quiet walk in nature is always a good idea. Clear your head and appreciate the beauty of the outdoors on any of these three hikes.

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  19. Woman Walking down stairs to a beach called Cowell Ranch State Beach

    Nature's Stairways

    We're stair-ing at you! The San Francisco Bay Area has an abundance of beautiful hikes with natural stairways built into nature, to help us all step up to brilliant panoramas. Here are three that look out to the sea...

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  20. Hike Olompali State Historic Park

    First Fall Hikes

    Summer has felt like a long goodbye and now autumn yields beautiful light and changing colors. Here are three suggestions on where to go for that first hike of the fall season.

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  21. Panoramas and SF's Great Artdoors

    Next time you want an art and culture fix, step outside. There are some beautiful parks in San Francisco with interesting, inspiring, and thoughtful works, from murals to sculptures (including at a new public park) well worth a visit to see. The great artdoors awaits.

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  22. To the Lighthouse!

    To the lighthouse! But not just any lighthouse. These three lighthouses have everything from unique histories and spectacular whale watching spots, to beautifully appointed overnight accommodations, live music concerts, and paranormal activity. Lights are on!

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Trending Stories NorCal

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  1. Gentle Giants

    Some people visit national parks to marvel at the iconic sights, while others come seeking solitude in nature. With visitation on the rise, it can be hard to find both. But in Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, this pair of trails offers both....

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  2. A Hike to the Past

    This 5.2-mile redwoods hike through El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space combines a relaxing stroll with unique geologic formations and historical artifacts.

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  3. Golden Mile

    Dubbed the Golden Mile, this car-free stretch of road in Golden Gate Park features rotating art installations of murals, sculptures, and abundant bright yellow Adirondack chairs for kicking back to relax. See Naga, the recent new addition here, an impressive sea serpent art installation at Golden Gate Park's Rainbow

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  4. Devilishly Hairy

    Mount Diablo is a devilish name but it’s home to some hairy spiders that don’t need to send a chill down your spine. Tarantulas come out and about in fall, as the males leave their burrows in search of mates. One of the best places to see them is on the northern slopes of Mount Diablo.

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Trending Stories SoCal

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  1. Montebello Mission

    Adorable animal feeding, peaceful bird watching, and delicious beer drinking? Hello, Montebello! This northeastern city has fantastic views of the hulking San Gabriels and a variety of green spaces, not to mention great spots for beer(s)!

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  2. Welcome to the Ice Age

    Only in LA can you stumble upon a lake of bubbling black goo right in the middle of the city—complete with a life-size family of mammoths frozen in time. Take a whiff and you’ll catch the unmistakable scent of asphalt: Yep, you’ve made it to the La Brea Tar Pits & Museum.

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  3. Griffith's Golden

    With over 4,200 acres and hundreds of trails, Griffith Park is the gold standard. Opt for the lesser-hiked northwestern end of the park and visit the 2.25-mile Skyline and Oak Canyon loop from Travel Town.

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  4. Mulholland's Most Majestic

    Take a leisurely drive along Mulholland Drive to discover beautiful urban scenery and unexpected wild beauty, right in the middle of the city. 

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