California

Things to Do Where to Stay Stories

California truly has it all. Where else can you find so much pristine coastline, otherworldly desert, epic granite mountains, and giant redwood forests? Take an extended road trip on Highway 1 or 395 and you'll see what we mean.

Top Adventures in California

Hike to Alamere Falls

4.5

15.59 mi / 1614 ft gain

The hike to Alamere falls is a 12.2 mile out-and-back in Point Reyes National Seashore. Start at the Palomarin Trailhead located in the parking lot near the restrooms. After about 2 minutes on the trail, you'll see a map on your right that lays out the trail to the falls as well as a few campground (Sky, Wildcat, etc.). Don't be afraid to take a picture of the map if you're worried about gettin...

Take in Iconic McWay Falls

4.6

McWay Falls is one of the most iconic waterfalls in BIg Sur and can be seen from Highway 1. The trail to the falls is located in Julia Pfeiffer. For all of you history buffs, Mcway Falls is named after Christopher McWay, an early settler and farmer from New York who ventured west in the late 1800s. To get there, from the parking lot, walk back towards Highway 1 and look for the sign to the Wate...

Backpack Sunrise Lakes to Clouds Rest

4.7

15.5 mi / 1775 ft gain

Start out at the Tenaya Lake Trailhead, where you can head directly onto the trail for Clouds Rest or you can branch off after 2.7 miles to Sunrise Lakes. This allows you to break up the hike, spend a night relaxing and help you have an early start back on the trail. Once re-connected to the Clouds Rest trail you begin a brief descent before you come across the only lake on the CR Trail. You d...

Hike the Lands End Trail

4.7

3.26 mi / 500 ft gain

The Lands End Trail in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area is a fairly easy 3.26 mile out-and-back hike along the coastline of San Francisco. Entrances to the trail are at both the Visitor Center parking Lot just up from Cliff House or in the Sea Cliff neighborhood off of El Camino del Mar (near the Lincoln Golf Course). The driving directions are for the starting point in Sea Cliff. Becau...

Backpack to the Ventana Wilderness' Sykes Hot Springs

4.2

20 mi / 5600 ft gain

The trek to Sykes Hot Springs is about 10-miles one way along the Pine Ridge Trail. This is a great backpacking trip, but can be done as an out-and-back hike from the campgrounds at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park if you're really moving.The trail is moderately challenging, you'll cross the river twice - be careful in the winter and spring months, when the water runs fast. If it looks too fast, we ...

Hike to the Wisdom Tree

4.8

3 mi / 872 ft gain

In Griffith Park, park along Lake Hollywood Drive and walk the paved quarter mile up Wonder View Drive to the start of Wonder View Trail. Here, walk through the yellow gate and make the first right after the road turns to dirt. Head up this unmarked single track path heading east up the mountain.The steep, rocky trail ascends to Cahuenga Peak. A Half of a mile from the end of the road, it reach...

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