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
About Moon Travel Guides: Moon was founded in 1973 to empower independent, active, and conscious travel. We prioritize local businesses, outdoor recreation, and traveling strategically and sustainably. Moon Travel Guides are written by local, expert authors with great stories to tell—and they can’t wait to share their favorite places with you.
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