Nature in California

30 Useful Things to Know Before Visiting Yosemite in Winter & Best Things to Do

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Yosemite National Park in the Sierra Nevada Mountains is a beautiful place to visit no matter the time of year, and a winter getaway to Yosemite is no exception. From high alpine hiking to amazing scenery, Yosemite is a dream come true for outdoor-loving people, and it’s not a surprise that Yosemite figures high on … Read more 30 Useful Things to Know Before Visiting Yosemite in Winter & Best Things to Do

What to Pack for the Pacific Crest Trail: PCT Gear List to Get Your Pack from Heavy to Ready!

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man holding a satellite phone wearing a long sleeve shirt

Pacific Crest Trail thru-hikers may be the only people who agonize over a single ounce while packing for a trip. After all, you’ll have to carry everything you need to live for the next few months — in very few situations are the stakes this high! The decisions of what to bring for hiking the … Read more What to Pack for the Pacific Crest Trail: PCT Gear List to Get Your Pack from Heavy to Ready!

How to Plan a Joshua Tree Day Trip (From LA, the OC, or San Diego!)

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the hidden valley trail in Joshua tree national park with lots of desert plant life surrounding it

No matter how undeniably exciting it is to live near Southern California’s Pacific Coast, sometimes a getaway is needed. Sometimes, visiting a destination that provides a vastly different experience and landscape is more than necessary.  After all, we are creatures of habit — and it’s important to break those habits from time to time. Fortunately, … Read more How to Plan a Joshua Tree Day Trip (From LA, the OC, or San Diego!)

5 Easy Ways to Get From San Francisco to Yosemite National Park

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the famous yosemite valley with lots of trees and cliffs and granite mountains

Climbers scaling the impossibly vertical El Capitan. Hikers craning their necks to see the canopy of giant sequoias. Photographers angling for the perfect shots of Half Dome. Yosemite National Park has something for everyone, and located just 170 miles away from San Francisco, it’s a popular day trip or weekend getaway for both Bay Area … Read more 5 Easy Ways to Get From San Francisco to Yosemite National Park

One Day in Yosemite National Park: Itinerary for a Quick Day Trip (2022)

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Whether you visit for the thundering waterfalls in spring, the seemingly endless sunny days of summer, the crisp golden colors of fall, or the snow-glittered winter, one day in Yosemite will make an everlasting impression. Yosemite National Park is home to giant sequoia forests, stunning granite rock formations that make every rock climber’s bucket list, and … Read more One Day in Yosemite National Park: Itinerary for a Quick Day Trip (2022)

Backpacking the Pacific Crest Trail: How to Plan Your PCT Thru Hike

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So you’re thinking about a Pacific Crest Trail thru-hike… This probably means you know you like hiking, and you want to do it for a long time. Congratulations! You’ve made it this far. The decision to attempt a thru-hike is exciting and is the first step in your planning process. But what now? This preparation … Read more Backpacking the Pacific Crest Trail: How to Plan Your PCT Thru Hike

7 Best Hikes Near Mt Shasta: Hiking Trails For All Levels!

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Drive a little over four hours north of San Francisco and you’ll arrive in Mount Shasta – an enchanted city at about 3,600 feet above sea level in Siskiyou County. Due to its proximity to the Bay Area, it’s a popular San Francisco road trip destination for hikers in the summer. Known for the massive … Read more 7 Best Hikes Near Mt Shasta: Hiking Trails For All Levels!

Best Camping in Tahoe: 12 Campgrounds Perfect For Summer

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Camping along the shores of Lake Tahoe means waking up to fresh mountain air, a day on the lake, or relaxing on the beach while sleeping under the alpine forest. These campgrounds are usually open between mid-May and mid-October and provide an affordable way of staying and kick up your heels, while refreshing yourself in … Read more Best Camping in Tahoe: 12 Campgrounds Perfect For Summer

Black Sands Beach in Sausalito, CA: A Beautiful Black Sand Beach Near San Francisco

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view of black sands beach and point bonita in the marin headlands

Even though I grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, I was surprised to find out that we have a black sand beach right here in the Bay! Located in the Marin Headlands, this beautiful beach in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area is an absolute stunner.  And surprisingly, in today’s time of overhyped and … Read more Black Sands Beach in Sausalito, CA: A Beautiful Black Sand Beach Near San Francisco

10 Fun Mountain Biking Trails in Lake Tahoe for All Levels to Enjoy!

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a person mountain biking in lake tahoe

Sitting right on top of the California-Nevada border, Lake Tahoe is known for its clear water and the endless outdoor activities it provides in all seasons, from water sports to skiing to hiking to camping. In the winter, the Tahoe area is known for its epic ski and snowboarding conditions, but don’t sleep on Tahoe … Read more 10 Fun Mountain Biking Trails in Lake Tahoe for All Levels to Enjoy!