All Stories from Northern CA

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  Wilder Times

  Stunning redwoods, huge ocean views, rolling hills, and gorgeous beaches … Santa Cruz has epic scenery! So how do you enjoy it all in one jaunt? Go Wilder! A 5-mile (round-trip) hi

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  The Occidental Tourist

  The Grove of Old Trees in Occidental is 33 hidden acres of towering redwoods and the only privately owned preserve in Sonoma County that's free to the public. Hike one of two flat loop trails shaped like an upside-down peace sign.

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  Los Altos High

  Big things come in small packages. Tucked in an upscale neighborhood in Los Altos, Redwood Grove Nature Preserve is just 6 acres, but it sure packs in those redwoods! This little s

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  Mather, May I?

  Reading that a whole bunch of friendly giants are hiding behind an unassuming gate sounds a bit like a storybook beginning. In this case, it’s a redwood fairy-trail. Across the str

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  Dawn Ho!

  Tucked at the end of a sleepy residential street in Larkspur, it's easy to miss the narrow path that drops into Baltimore Canyon Open Space Preserve, where serene redwoods resemble

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  Wicked Waterworks

  Despite its devilish hot name, Mount Diablo has a cooler, splashier side. Heavy winter rains create a collection of six scenic waterfalls encircling the mountain's rugged northern

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  Getaway Time

  Isn't it time you took things SLO? It's actually much easier than you think. San Luis Obispo (SLO) is centrally located just a few hours from San Francisco and Los Angeles. It's a

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  Cupid's Cascade

  Most Tahoe fans know Cascade Falls' silvery drop as it appears in early summer, when melting snow forms a billowy cataract that plummets more than 200 feet into Cascade Lake. But i

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  Baby You Can Light My Fire

  Want to go on a date that will really get your heart pumping? Strap on your snowshoes and hoof it to Angora Ridge Fire Lookout. You’ll climb for nearly 2 miles in this workout that

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  Snow Way!

  Thanks to El Niño, things are oh snow good in California’s Outdoor Playground (aka San Bernardino County). Here are some of the best ways to adventure outdoors this winter. Big Bea

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  Harmony's Edge

  Blink-and-you'll-miss-it Harmony Headlands State Park is small but mighty. This coastal swath of land between Cayucos and Cambria has only one trail, the Headlands Trail. But don't

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  Stroll and Sip

  Picking a beach on the Central Coast is like deciding which flavor to go with at a homemade ice cream shop: There are so many good choices! You really can't go wrong, but if you're

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  California's Heart and Soul

  The perfect weekend trip: a little outdoors, a little wine, and a little relaxation. If you haven't experienced the heart of California, right now is the best time to visit San Lui

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  California's Heart and Soul

  The perfect weekend trip: a little outdoors, a little wine, and a little relaxation. If you haven't experienced the heart of California, right now is the best time to visit San Lui

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  Give Me Morro!

  Like a Half Dome of the Central Coast, Morro Rock is an iconic fixture of San Luis Obispo County's shoreline. It's especially beautiful to see at sunset, from secluded sand dunes t

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  Give Me Morro!

  Like a Half Dome of the Central Coast, Morro Rock is an iconic fixture of San Luis Obispo County's shoreline. It's especially beautiful to see at sunset, from secluded sand dunes t

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  Harmony's Edge

  Blink-and-you'll-miss-it Harmony Headlands State Park is small but mighty. This coastal swath of land between Cayucos and Cambria has only one trail, the Headlands Trail. But don't

  View
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  Stroll and Sip

  Picking a beach on the Central Coast is like deciding which flavor to go with at a homemade ice cream shop: There are so many good choices! You really can't go wrong, but if you're

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  McClures Marks the Spot

  With over 80 miles of preserved shoreline, Point Reyes National Seashore has plenty of sandy stretches for strolling. Those who like wandering in near solitude should head to the northernmost accessible coastline here, McClures Beach.

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  Winter Rush

  Where do the wild things go? Well, if you're a bird, you might head to Rush Creek Open Space in Novato. This 522-acre preserve just east of Highway 101 has one of the densest bird

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