All Stories from Northern CA

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  Starry Sky Snowshoe & Bonfire

  Snowshoeing at night is a surreal and magical experience. Headlamps weaving through a forest wonderland and snowshoes kicking up the soft powdery snow underfoot. Your destination?

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  Carousel of Dreams

  When was the last time you got on a merry-go-round? That long ago, eh! Take a trip back in time on a truly historic carousel located in Golden Gate Park. Built in 1914, this colorf

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  Walk on the Wise Side

  A wise man once said, “Walk it off.” And San Francisco has just the place for a colorful walk via a 2.7-mile loop along Philosopher’s Way Trail in the 318-acre John McLaren Park (S

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  Paint the Town!

  Ready to paint the town? This 1.6-mile easy urban walk from the Tendernob to Chinatown brightens winter days with bursts of color from some of the city’s newest murals. Start your

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  Ridgetop Resolutions

  It’s a guilty pleasure to bag a peak via a short hike. That’s why you should shamelessly steal some spectacular views on a 3.5-mile loop hike in Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve. Starting on the Ridge Trail, spectacular ocean views keep you company on a gentle 0.8-mile climb to the peak of Borel Hill.

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  Point Bonita Night Light

  Perched on a remote promontory 124 feet above the ocean, with its dramatic setting and expansive views, Point Bonita Lighthouse lures day-visitors throughout the year. But on full-

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  Climb of Champions

  Here’s a hike that takes you high and burns your thighs! Yep, there’s nothing like climbing a mountain to start the New Year. Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve offers 24 miles

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  Monumental Achievement

  Want to kick off the New Year with a monumental accomplishment? Hike to Monument Peak in Milpitas. This 2,594-foot monument is a lightly trafficked, enjoyable, and challenging 7.7-

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  New Log Cabin in Yosemite!

  Winter in Yosemite is something special. No crowds, incredible hiking and snowshoe trails, your own log cabin in the woods … Yep, you can actually stay right inside the national pa

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  Sponsored

  2018 Calendar of Local Hikes

  New Year’s Resolution: Hike locally! How to make it happen? Download the complimentary Peninsula Open Space Trust 2018 Hiking Calendar! The calendar gives you a seasonal guide to t

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  Scene Stealer

  The holiday season is filled with guilty pleasures: Spiked eggnog; buying yourself a gift; climbing to a panoramic high point via a short mountain bike ride or hike. Yep, you'll be practically stealing the sweeping view at Hunter’s Point in Cupertino's Fremont Older Preserve.

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  Napa's Smoothest Vintage

  Napa with no cars? That’s not the wine talking! It’s Stanly Lane in Napa’s Carneros region. Part of the Bay Trail and tucked just off the intersection of Highway 121, Stanly Lane is a paved oasis of solitude and wine country beauty. It also leads to a winery. Bring a bike or plan to hike.

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  A Very Muiry Holiday Hike

  We know the North Pole is currently all the rage with elves preparing gifts, but here in NorCal there’s something exciting afoot, too. We’ve got some new hiking open space! Thank t

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  Pulgas Pageant

  Good things come in small packages! The peninsula’s Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve, quietly located off Highway 280, makes an easygoing 2.3-mile loop through oaks and up to big c

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  Go, Tell It on the Mountain

  Want to be king of the mountain? Head to King Mountain, the 108-acre open space preserve just above Larkspur in Marin. Despite its lofty name, hiking King Mountain proves that simp

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  Keep on Truckee!

  Nice and easy … that’s how your ski getaways should be! Snow doubt about it: Truckee’s your best base camp for hitting the pow, quickly! Located smack on I-80, you’re 15 to 30 minu

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  Mark's the Spot

  This holiday season, don’t go to just any old Christmas tree lot—go to Mark’s Tree Lot in Santa Rosa. Easily located right off Highway 12 near the 101 interchange, Mark’s is filled

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  Taylor Made Hike

  Hiking during the holiday season is a great way to gain a little perspective … or a big perspective, if you decide to hike at Taylor Mountain Regional Park and Open Space Preserve,

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  Drinking Wine Helps!

  Sipping excellent wine while gazing out at rolling vineyards, fields of lavender in the foreground … yep, we’re ready to help wine country! Matanzas Creek Winery near Santa Rosa ha

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  Sponsored

  Oregon's Ultimate Ski Town

  It’s something that Oregonians have known for a while and Californians are just beginning to realize: Bend is the ultimate mountain town for the whole family! And in the winter, it

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