Browse the best hikes and photography spots of Northern California's coasts, forests, and mountains
Ah, Northern California - my home growing up and my home now!
I'm constantly amazed by what NorCal has to offer - incredible moody coasts, lush redwood forests, and dramatic snow-capped mountains. I love how there is still so much to explore, especially in the less-traveled areas north of Sacramento.
Looking for a visual representation of all the trips on this site? Check out the map!
Located on the very northern edge of California, the park makes a great day trip for spelunkers of all ages and experiences
This flat trail spanning no less than 6 spectacular lakes in less than 5 miles makes for a leisurely hike with some of the best views in the Sierras
Only 4 hours from the Bay Area, the Shasta Cascade makes the perfect weekend getaway with its vast forests, numerous lakes, and snow-capped mountain views
It's not often you'll get to experience such scenic mountain views from just a short one mile hike. The views of Mt. Shasta are one of a kind from this memorable vista.
Mossbrae Falls, which looks like a magical curtain of cascading water, has to be one of the crown jewels in the Shasta area.
Less than 10 miles roundtrip, the Duck Lake is the perfect overnight backpacking trip to experience classic Sierra lakes and mountains.
Hiking to Eagle Lake combined with climbing Eagle Lake Buttress make for a great day adventure of mountaineering, alpine views, and fun routes.
Looking for a weekend escape into a lush, thick forests? In this post I'll lay out a sample road trip itinerary up along the scenic Highway 1
The highlight of Patrick's Point State Park, Wedding Rock is an overlook with an impressive and expansive view of the rugged California NorCal coast.
Stout Grove could very well be the best of all redwood hikes with its peaceful vibes, lush ferns covering the floor, and old-growth sunlit trees.
Fern Canyon is one of my favorite hikes along the NorCal coast. This short, easy hike takes you up a canyon covered with 8 different types of ferns.
Truly a unique and hidden spot, the lush sorrel covering the forest floor gives off serious magical fairytale vibes
The Cypress Grove Trail is one of my favorites of coastal CA hikes. The short hike loops through a rare Monterey Cypress grove and incredible clifftop vistas.
The short Bird Island trail in China Cove of Point Lobos is the perfect trail for great beach access and to see marine wildlife like sea birds and seals
This short coastal hike passes through a valley filled with tons of white, blooming calla lilies and eventually leads to beautiful Garrapata Beach
Aloha Lake is one of the most popular backpacking trips in Desolation Wilderness, CA. During our 3 day trip, we also hiked up to the summit of Mt. Price.
The Rockefeller Loop is one of the best hikes you can do in Humboldt Redwoods - it's easy, short, and gives you everything you could want in a redwood hike - tall trees, an open under story, and both a river and a creek to relax by. The 7,000 acre Rockefeller Forest is also the world's largest contiguous old growth forest of coastal redwoods.
With it's incredible alpine views, Kearsarge Pass gives quick access to Kings Canyon from the Eastern Sierras, making it a perfect weekend backpacking trip.
This natural hot spring in Northern California lets you soak with expansive views of the desert and surrounding mountain range
McWay Falls at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park is arguably the most iconic views in all of Big Sur, and the viewpoint is free and easily accessible.
One of the best backpacking trips in the Eastern Sierras, the North Fork Big Pine trail offers epic views of several turquoise alpine lakes below the Palisades
One of the most beautiful areas I've ever hiked, I feel like I could have spent days exploring the gorgeous basin and alpine lakes below the Minarets
The panoramic view from Sentinel Dome is one of the best in Yosemite. You'll get a bird's eye view of large rock faces and thundering waterfalls all just a short hike from Glacier Point Road. This hike is a great way to enjoy the incredible views without the crowds of Glacier Point.
For our first backpacking trip of the season, we decided on the North Fork of Big Pine Creek - a beautiful basin of glacier-fed lakes that I have been eagerly waiting to do. Once we got there, I could see why this was a popular destination - the impressive snow-capped peaks towering above all 9 beautiful lakes, great fishing, and ease of access make the North Fork the ideal Sierra hike.
Looking for a Sierra backpacking trail to a basin full of alpine lakes? The area around Sabrina Lake offers great fishing, flower meadows, and waterfalls
The perfect day hike complete with beautiful waterfalls and tall redwoods, and all only a short drive from the Bay Area, CA
Only 5 hours from the Bay Area, Siskiyou County has so much to offer, even in the winter! Here are some ideas of things to do in California's north