All Stories from Northern CA

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  Sealed With a Kiss

  Pucker up! This 2.7-mile loop through the East Bay's Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park is brimming with a holiday staple—mistletoe. Start from the Foothill Staging Area, and head up t

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  Wheel the Love

  Hop on a bike and then onto the Oakland Wine Trail. This 2-mile route leaves from Jack London Square, rolls past renovated warehouse spaces, ferry terminals, bustling markets, and

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  Yosemite Discounted Winter Stay

  1) Stay More, Save More Holiday season, weekend escape, a place to take your Valentine: Enjoy a winter getaway to Yosemite Valley Lodge, complete with spectacular views and delight

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  Sipping Through the Valley

  Anderson Valley is best known for its pinots, but you'll find almost every kind of wine here ... so take your time. It's hard to go wrong in these parts, but here are a few winerie

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  Where to Sheep

  Located in the hills of Anderson Valley, with Adirondacks and hammocks perched perfectly for relaxation, and plenty of room to roam, Sheep Dung Properties is no ordinary name—becau

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  From Redwoods to Sea Stacks

  In the heart of Anderson Valley, Hendy Woods State Park is rarely crowded, especially in winter, and has a star attraction: ancient redwoods. There’s an easy 2-mile (round-trip) hi

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  How to Help With California Wildfires

  It’s hard to see the devastation and grief caused by the numerous California wildfires, including the tragic loss of lives and destruction of iconic landscapes. We’re a strong stat

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  Keen for Kennedy

  Take tucked-away Kennedy Grove Regional Recreation Area, on the northern edge of San Pablo Reservoir. Once part of the 17,754-acre Rancho San Pablo, Kennedy is now a 222-acre park with hiking trails, excellent views of the reservoir, and open space fragrant with eucalyptus trees.

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  Millerton Time

  Point Reyes National Seashore seems to be on everyone’s “favorite things” list, and for good reason. It’s a bounty of beauty from land to sea. So, how do you find a little peace and quiet here? Make it a Millerton afternoon!

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  The Ghost & the Fairy

  It’s hard to resist paddling the tranquil waters of Golden Gate Park’s Stow Lake … home to ducks, geese, gulls, turtles, tourists, and—according to legend—a ghost! Urban myth or no

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  Cal Secret Spots

  In its bustling urban setting, UC Berkeley’s campus may seem like an open book, but it’s actually home to spots that are off the beaten path, even for students. Find less-known gems at Cal, including several that are outdoors.

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  Whale Season

  With the Bay Area’s clear autumn days, now’s a good time to spy whales in the ocean. But seeing one on the green grasses of San Francisco’s Crissy Field? Well, that’s a big deal! T

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  On the Ropes!

  Italy has given us great coffee, superb fashion, and an exciting way to get your outdoor thrills via, well—Via Ferrata! Part rock climbing, part alpine hiking, Via Ferrata is a bui

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  Top Five Autumn Experiences in Sonoma Valley

  1) Carneros Wine Flight Bird watching and wine tasting pair beautifully when the Pacific Flyway is in close proximity to Sonoma Valley wineries. Sip wines and see the wildlife from

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  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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  Strolling With Sam

  Most people come to Samuel P. Taylor State Park for the beautiful creekside campground and picnic areas. But the hiking here can be pleasantly peaceful on a short trail featuring old-growth redwood trees.

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  Tahoe to Yourself

  For a mellow leaf-peeping hike, Sugar Pine Point State Park has you wandering among tall, fragrant pines and along the shoreline of glistening Lake Tahoe. Tackle Mount Rose Summit,

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  Cascade Roll

  Easy does it for this leaf-peeping, reservoir bike ride along the Cascade Trail near Nevada City. The 9-mile out-and-back pedal along the Cascade Canal Trail hugs the water’s edge,

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  Picnic with a View

  When early autumn arrives in the mountains, you never really know what you’ll get … hot days, rainy afternoons, snow. Good thing the path to Picnic Rock on the Tahoe Rim Trail is a

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  King for a Day Hike

  Some hikes have royally good views. One such crowning glory? King's Canyon Loop Trail in the East Bay, delivering gorgeous views of the Upper San Leandro Reservoir. It’s a 6.4-mile

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