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25 Best Places to Visit in Northern California: 1. Big Sur; 2. Yosemite National Park; 3. Santa Cruz; 4. San Jose; 5. Oakland; 6. Mendocino National Forest; 7. Redwood National Park; 8. Sonoma, Northern California; 9. Modoc National Forest; 10. Calaveras County; 11. Point Lobos State Reserve; 12. Muir Woods National Monument; 13. Marin ...
- Located on the northern end of Monterey Bay about 32 miles from San Jose, Santa Cruz is a quintessential small coastal town with beautiful sandy beaches, world-famous surf, spectacular mountains covered with ancient redwood forests, serene organic farms, and a thriving wine and beer scene.
- The Marin Headlands is a fascinating rocky peninsula just north of San Francisco, across the Golden Gate Bridge, with spectacular views of the entire Bay, the bridge itself and the city. The headlands are part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. This is a curious mix of breathtaking natural beauty with lovely beaches, such as the dog-friendly Rodeo Beach, fields of wild flowers, historic ...
- Humboldt Redwoods State Park is located about 30 miles from the town of Eureka in northern California. It includes Rockefeller Forest, the largest contiguous old-growth forest of coastal redwoods in the world. The 51,651-acre park also has old-growth mixed forests, old-growth redwoods and the Bull Creek watershed. About 100 of the park’s coastal redwoods are over 350 feet tall.
- The views of the Pacific from the park are spectacular, and the park is a great place to unwind and breathe among the thundering waterfalls, shady peace of the forest, and rich history. The park has over 80 miles of trails, taking you past many waterfalls, and through lush, green canyon bottoms and sparse slopes covered by chaparral. If you are lucky, you will spot deer, bobcats, raccoons, and man...
- Yosemite National Park
- Big Sur
- Redwood National and State Parks
- San Francisco
- Santa Cruz
- Mendocino National Forest and Village
- Lake Tahoe
- The Lost Coast
- Dunsmuir
- Sonoma
Located about 4 hours east of San Francisco in the central Sierra Nevada mountains, Yosemite National Park is one of the jewels in Northern California’s crown. This is where you’ll find some of the most scenic wilderness in the region, from raging cascades and wild rivers to rugged cliffs and mountains blanketed in dense forests. With almost 1,200 ...
If you’re looking to hike through majestic Pacific Coast and redwood forest views, discover hidden beaches where waves pound the shore, and take scenic drives that wind through wild Northern California, you’ve got to visit Big Sur. This unspoiled stretch of the coast between Monterey and San Luis Obispo counties offers a glimpse into what Californi...
Dreaming of standing among California’s tallest, oldest redwoods? Make it happen at California’s Redwood National and State Parks, which includes over 139,000 acres in Redwood National Park and Del Norte Coast Redwoods, Prairie Creek Redwoods, and Jedidiah Smith Redwoods state parks. Venture deep into the enchanted green Fern Canyon (Prairie Creek ...
San Francisco is the second-most populous city in Northern California. It overlooks the San Francisco Bay as an eclectic hub where the past meets progressive attitudes. Filled with colorful districts, abundant eateries and shops, and thriving art and cultural scenes, it’s a must-visit place in NorCal. Once a destination for prospectors hoping to st...
Some will tell you that Santa Cruz isn’t technically Northern California — it’s more central in the state, but still part of NorCal. We couldn’t leave it out of the list because it’s genuinely one of the most interesting and beautiful places to visit in Northern California! One of the only remaining original boardwalks in the state, the Santa Cruz ...
With no paved roads in sight and the tranquil peace of a totally unspoiled and wild forest, the Mendocino National Forestin Northern California is our favorite place to slip away into nearly 1,000,000 acres for a mental reset far from honking horns and to-do lists. Rugged mountains, green valleys, rushing rivers, steep canyons, and dense woodlands ...
Spanning 22 miles in length and 12 miles wide, scenic Lake Tahoe is one of the most popular summer and winter recreation spots in Northern California. Located 6,000 feet up in the Sierra Nevada mountains where California meets Nevada, it’s the second-deepest lake in the entire U.S. With 72 miles of pristine beaches and abundant fish, water sports o...
As J.R.R. Tolkien penned, “Not all those who wander are lost,” and those who wander to Northern California’s undeveloped and rugged Lost Coast (Rockport to Ferndale) may just end up finding themselves along the way. Coastal mountains, untouched and black sand beaches, rolling hills ending abruptly at the water’s edge, wildflower meadows, and easy t...
The railroad town of Dunsmuiris nestled in a scenic canyon, surrounded by the snow-capped peaks of the Sierra Nevada mountains. This village has no stop lights and few amenities, but it’s rich in natural beauty and small-town charm — a great little spot to visit in Northern California. The wild Upper Sacramento River (Upper Sac, as the locals call ...
Sonoma is one of the most laid-back, affordable parts of California’s Wine Country. Expansive vineyards, charming wineries and tasting rooms, great restaurants, and scenic views of rolling hills make it even better to visit than Napa and one of our favorite places in Northern California. It’s a great city to visit for art galleries, farmer’s market...
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- San Francisco. Visiting San Francisco should absolutely be at the top of your Northern California bucket list! This incredibly unique city is a quirky mix of Silicon Valley tech bros, beautiful Victorian mansions, and Karl, the fog (yup, the city’s fog has its very own name).
- Muir Woods. Just a short 30-minute drive from San Francisco, Muir Woods offers a tranquil escape into a world where ancient redwoods reach for the skies.
- Redwoods National and State Parks. This is quite the unique park—not only is it home to the largest collection of the tallest trees on the planet, but it’s also the only national park that’s cooperatively managed with a state park system.
- Lake Tahoe. If there’s one place in northern California where nature meets adventure, Lake Tahoe—which sprawls over 120 square miles and clocks in as the second deepest lake in the country—would be it.
- Check Out The Fiery Natural Wonders At Yosemite National Park. One of the most well-known national parks in the United States, Yosemite National Park is famous for its towering granite cliffs, giant ancient sequoia trees, roaring waterfalls, and outstanding scenery.
- See All Four Volcano Types At Lassen Volcanic National Park. Touted for its steaming fumarole and alpine lakes, Lassen Volcanic National Park is full of thriving nature and stunning picturesque landscapes.
- Visit The Thriving Golden Gate Park. Located in San Francisco, Golden Gate Park is the third most visited park in the United States, and for a good reason!
- Join The Fun At Lake Tahoe. Boasting the largest alpine lake in the nation and the largest freshwater lake in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Lake Tahoe is also the second-deepest lake in the United States!
- Mendocino. Mendocino is an artists’ colony that sits atop a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, is the only one on the California coast that’s designated as a historical landmark.
- Point Reyes Station. Located on the edge of Point Reyes National Seashore about an hour north of San Francisco, this small, unincorporated town is home to just 350 residents and serves as the hub for a magnificent stretch of coastline that hosts miles and miles of scenic hiking trails and a healthy oyster fishery.
- Redwood National and State Parks, Crescent City. Redwood National and State Parks, located just south of Crescent City, offers the chance to gaze up at soaring old-growth redwoods, some of the tallest trees on the planet.
- Yosemite National Park. Yosemite National Park is one of America’s most scenic national parks, with its dramatic mountains and steep granite cliffs that offer a chance to enjoy outdoor activities.
Aug 4, 2023 · 1. Alcatraz with Muir Woods and Sausalito Tour (Editor’s Choice) 2. Sonoma Walking Food, Wine & History Tour. 3. Golden Gate Bay Cruise. 4. Golden Gate Park Segway Tour. 5. Alcatraz Island — San Francisco. 6. Angel Island — San Francisco. 7. Muir Woods National State Monument — Mill Valley. 8. Mendocino Headlands State Park — Mendocino. 9.
May 2, 2024 · I’m sure you’ve heard of the most popular places to visit in Northern California → we’ve got Yosemite National Park, Lake Tahoe, San Francisco, Napa Valley, etc. But this list is taking you way beyond the typical touristy stuff. Sure, we don’t have year-round perfect weather or sunbathing lifeguard goddesses like down in Southern California.
