This quintessential hike on the northwestern shore of the city of San Francisco (Lands End) offers one of my favorite views of the Golden Gate Bridge, a meditation labyrinth on Lands End Point, a rocky beach break, Seacliff mansion gazing, a museum, the ruins of a once majestic bathhouse, the ominous roar of the ocean …
When visiting the Russian River Valley for a weekend wine getaway, it’s always good to mix a little exercise in with the indulgence. Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve is in the heart of the valley near Guerneville, a quiet little riverside town, and offers majestic redwoods (and the cooling shade they can provide) without all …
The Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve is a wonder of nature. It’s a saltwater lake that is 2-1/2 times as salty as the ocean and very alkaline. It’s the birthplace of 90% of all California seagulls with more than 50,000 of them returning here annually to nest. An estimated 1.5 million eared grebes stop …
The Mammoth high country in the Eastern Sierras (just to the east of Yosemite) offers great camping and hiking away from the national park crowds. This easy hike southwest of the winter ski town of Mammoth Lakes gives you a taste of what the high Sierras have to offer – pristine lakes, amazing oft-snowcapped mountain …
China Camp State Park gets its name from the historic fishing village that thrived along the shoreline here in the 1880s. At one time the fishing village had more than 500 residents, mostly immigrants from China. Today the park offers a nearby Bay Area getaway, a historic look back at the former fishing village, walk-in …
The stretch of the Coastal Trail from Tennessee Valley to Muir Beach is one of my all-time favorites in the Bay Area with postcard perfect views of the Pacific shore that are truly breathtaking, especially on clear days (though foggy days have their own eerie appeal). The hike is made even better with a swing …
Nounou Mountain aka Sleeping Giant is one of the more popular hikes on the east shore of Kauai for good reasons. The hike is fairly short, moderately steep and offers a little adventure at the top getting to the giant’s nose and forehead for some top-notch views of the east shore. You can find guided …
If you are looking for a really tough hike in the Waimea Canyon region, you’ll inevitably get a recommendation for the 11-mile loop on the Nu’alolo, Cliff and Awa-‘awapuhi trails in the Koke’e State Park. We set out to do that very hike early one morning after having beach camped at Polihale State Park (highly …
If you want a hike in Kauai that takes you off-the-beaten path to waterfalls that mostly only locals know about, this hike is for you. The Ultimate Kauai Guidebook outed this trail, calling it the “Best Hidden Gem” of the east shore, but even with this guidebook cred, the hard-to-find trailhead and entirely unmarked trail …
The Kuilau Ridge Trail is an easy hike convenient to the east shore of Kauai that offers some gorgeous views of Mount Waialeale and the Makaleha Mountain Range. The trail is part of Hawaii’s Na Ala Hele trail and access system and leads to a well maintained (and mowed) grassy plateau with a small pavilion …
