Weekend Getaways in Northern California
From the best views, best hikes, to the best of the coast, Northern California offers an extensive list of must-see places. Here’s some of the best things to do on a weekend getaway in Northern California.
Best Of The Mountains
Mountain climb: Mount Shasta
Mountain climb for youngsters: Lassen Peak, Lassen Volcanic National Park
Sierra panorama: Mitchell Peak, Jennie Lakes Wilderness
Most difficult permit: Mount Whitney from Whitney Portal, first weekend of August, 2 percent odds in preseason lottery
Lake view: Mount Tallac, Desolation Wilderness
Most unique payoff: Sierra Buttes Lookout, Tahoe National Forest
Best Hikes
Most dramatic easy hike with a view: Glacier Point to Pohono Trail, Yosemite National Park
Prettiest wilderness lakes: Shadow, Garnet, Minaret, Ediza; Ansel Adams Wilderness
Chain of lakes: Meeks Creek Trail to Genevieve, Crag, Hidden, Shadow, Stony Ridge, and Rubicon Lakes, Lake Tahoe Basin
Sierra trailhead: Tuolumne Meadows, Yosemite National Park
Hikers’ boat shuttle: Echo Lakes to trailhead for PCT/Desolation Wilderness
Overnight backpack for kids: Deadfall Lakes, Trinity Divide, Shasta-Trinity National Forest
Complete mountain resort: Convict Lake Resort
Drive-to view: Glacier Point, Yosemite National Park
Prettiest lake trail: Wapama Falls, Hetch Hetchy Reservoir, Yosemite National Park
Trailhead for fishing: Agnew Meadows to River Trail on upper San Joaquin River
Snowshoe trek: Badger Pass to Dewey Point, Yosemite National Park
Best Of The Redwoods
Most overlooked, pristine redwoods: Boy Scout Tree Trail, Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park
Most species champion trees: James Irvine Trail, Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
Redwood hike behind locked gate: Tall Trees Trail, Redwood National Park
Best Of The Coast
Prettiest ferns: Fern Canyon, Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
Kayaking: Big River Lagoon/Mendocino Bay, Mendocino coast
RV sites: Seacliff State Beach, Monterey Bay
Coastal campsite: Wildcat, Point Reyes National Seashore
Coastal waterfall: McWay Falls, Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
Scuba diving: Point Lobos Marine Reserve
Protected coastal preserve: Salt Point State Park
Most underrated trail for difficulty: Lost Coast Trail, Mattole Trailhead
Best Of The Bay Area
Prettiest scope of view: East Peak, Mount Tamalpais State Park
Urban view: Mount Livermore (at night), Angel Island State Park
All-round park: Del Valle Regional Park (hiking, biking, boating, swimming, fishing, camping, backpacking, wildlife viewing, wilderness access)
Short backpack trip: Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail, Big Basin Redwoods State Park
Bike and hike: Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail out of Rancho del Oso, coastal access to Big Basin Redwoods State Park
Island campsites: Angel Island State Park
Route for continuous views: Perimeter Road, Angel Island State Park
Day hike for early spring: Montara Mountain, San Pedro County Park
Best Of The Rivers
Water sports: San Joaquin River Delta
Prettiest one-mile canyon: Berry Creek, Big Basin Redwoods State Park
Prettiest river walk: McCloud River from Lower Falls to Middle and Upper Falls and on to Lakim Dam
All-round white-water rafting: South Fork American River
Class V white-water rafting: Clavey Falls, Tuolumne River
Most technical kayak run: Cherry Valley, upper Tuolumne River
Best Of The Lakes
Widest array of campgrounds and cabins: Shasta Lake
Campground for quiet at night: Pardee Recreation Area
Prettiest site, boat-in camping: Emerald Bay State Park, Lake Tahoe
Prettiest lake for tent cabins: Mary Smith Campground, Lewiston Lake
Free loaner kayaks/boats: Independence Lake
Lake-based region for families: Union Valley Reservoir, Crystal Basin Recreation Area
Boat-to/hike-to waterfall: Bullards Bar Reservoir
Family destination: Historic Camp Richardson Resort, South Lake Tahoe
Best Fishing
Largest trout: Lake Almanor
Most trout: Sacramento River, Redding to Anderson
Largest bass: Clear Lake
Most bass: Shasta Lake
Prospects for long-term future: Los Vaqueros Reservoir
Best Surprises
Most unique destination: Bumpass Hell geothermal area, Lassen Volcanic National Park
Most ironic sense of history: Captain Jack’s Stronghold, Lava Beds National Monument
Waterfall, highest volume subliminal flow: Burney Falls, McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park
Gold rush history: South Fork American River, Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park, Coloma
Best Wildlife Spots
Elk: Point Reyes National Seashore
Bear: Sequoia National Park
Deer: Lava Beds National Monument (in early winter)
Wild horses: Devil’s Garden, Modoc Plateau
Sea otter viewing: Elkhorn Slough by kayak
Humpback whales: Monterey Bay
California condor: Big Sur/Ventana Wilderness
Raptors/eagles: Los Vaqueros watershed by boat
Nor Cal Record Holders
Tallest tree in world: Hyperion, 380.3 feet, Redwood Empire
Largest tree in world by volume: General Sherman, 275 feet tall, 36 feet diameter, 102.6 feet circumference, Sequoia National Park
North America’s highest continuous trail: John Muir Trail
Tallest waterfall in North America: Yosemite Falls, 2,425 feet in three decks, Yosemite Valley
Largest single piece of granite in North America: El Capitan, 7,569 feet
Tallest single-strand waterfall in North America: Ribbon Fall, 1,634 feet, Yosemite Valley
Highest point in continental United States: Mount Whitney, 14,505 feet
Rainiest spot in continental United States: Camp 6 Weather Station, 257 inches in 1983, near Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park
Largest natural freshwater lake inside state borders: Clear Lake
Longest continuous trail in state: 1,700 miles, Pacific Crest Trail
- Flexible Itineraries: Unique and adventure-packed ideas for day hikers, winter visitors, families with kids, campers, and more
- The Best Hikes in Each Park: Detailed hike descriptions, individual trail maps, mileage and elevation gains, and backpacking options
- Experience the Outdoors: Ride the open-air tram through Yosemite Valley or hike downhill from Glacier Point past roaring waterfalls. Drive the legendary Generals Highway or take a scenic bike ride to pristine lakes (and yes, more waterfalls!). Go for a horse-drawn wagon ride on a history tour or take a rock-climbing lesson. Walk among the goliaths of Sequoia’s Giant Forest and stop at a historic lodge for dinner and a well-deserved drink
- How to Get There: Up-to-date information on traveling between the parks, gateway towns, park entrances, park fees, and tours
- Where to Stay: From campgrounds and rustic lodges to the majestic Ahwahnee, find the best spots to kick back, both inside and outside the parks
- Planning Tips: When to go, what to pack, safety information, and how to avoid the crowds, with full-color photos and easy-to-use maps throughout
- Expertise and Know-How from seasoned explorer and outdoor expert Ann Marie Brown
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