California

This PG&E campsite is located on the northern most inlet of Lake Almanor and is slightly more remote than the other sites around Lake Almanor. The campground offers spectacular views and easy access to great fishing. To get there, head east out of the town of Chester on Highway 36. After cros...

Lake Shasta sits at the foot of infamous Mt Shasta, past the major Northern California city of Redding. From the Bay Area you can count on at least a 3.5 hour drive to get to waters edge, but the drive goes by quickly just cruising on HWY 5. There are multiple Marinas on Shasta but the largest is...

Though lesser known than its neighbors the Yuba and the American, the Bear River still features fantastic hiking, swimming, river-raft, tubing, and rock-jumping but without the crowds.A local favorite spot, the "Jumping Rock" near the Dog Bar Crossing, provides an excellent hike with several swim...

After parking at Shelter Cove and securing a camping permit ($3 per night in the backcountry) follow the bear prints down the coastline for 5 miles, keeping in mind that the tide devours the beach every 12 hours. Parts of the beach become impassable at high tide. Camp overnight at Buck Creek, th...

Starting from the Wright's Lake parking area, walk past the service gate to find the loop trail. Follow the loop trail to the signed trail for Twin, Grouse, Island, and Hemlock Lakes heading toward the right. You will begin an approximate 150 foot ascend before coming to a saddle. Another 150 foo...

Deep in the Lassen National Forest is the beautiful and surprisingly one of the least visited National Parks, Lassen Volcanic National Park. On the north entrance of the park, you will find the beautiful Manzanita Lake Cabins and Campground with the gorgeous blue lake in the foreground.  Getting ...

Not a trail per se, but approximately 3 miles (down and back) of beautiful beach to walk down. Lots of interesting caves, wild animals, and rock formations to discover. This is a popular location for sea kayakers. San Gregorio State Beach was originally founded to protect the estuary at the back ...

Situated in the hills above Palo Alto; Foothills Park is the perfect spot to spend the day outdoors. With hiking, fishing, picnic areas, wide open fields, and expansive views of the Bay Area, this hidden gem is a must visit. Foothills Park is 2.7 miles west of 280 after exiting Page Mill. After ...

Clear Lake State Park is only two hours from downtown San Francisco and Sacramento. The state park offers amazing opportunities to photograph deer in the area and pick blackberries for breakfast on a morning stroll. On my visit I saw over 15 deer and one buck in full velvet. The sunrise and sunse...

Morro Bay is located west about 13 miles of San Luis Obispo. Typically Pismo Beach and San Luis are the go to spots when traveling to that area, but after spending the day there I would highly recommend giving it a visit! The first thing you'll see when pulling into downtown Morro Bay is the mas...

Baldwin Beach offers a half mile of views of Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Nevada mountains. People come to this beach to relax and picnic. This is also a popular launch spot for those kayaking or stand up paddling to Emerald Bay.  This beach is on national forest land and has a parking fee of $8.00...

Kayak Beautiful Tomales bay and experience the bioluminescence ecology of the bay. Timed during the lowest crescent of the moon, and starting around sunset, you will paddle into the sunset and wait until it is completely dark, continuing on around the bay to experience the bio-luminescence natur...

As the largest of the Channel Islands, Santa Cruz Island in the Channel Island National Park is an ecological treasure, and to kayak it is to get to experience it in a manner unlike any other. Getting to the island is easiest through Island Packers where you can also reserve a kayak (so pack effi...

The Marina Del Rey harbor covers 1.5 square miles making it the world’s largest small-craft harbor. Located southwest of Los Angeles, it is the homeport to nearly 6,500 local boats, ranging from small fishing boats, large private yachts, and even a multitude of unique houseboats. The harbor is ea...

Castaic Lake is a man made reservoir located 41 miles north of downtown Los Angeles, CA in the town of Castaic. Made up of two bodies of water, separated by a 425-foot dam, Upper and Lower Castaic Lakes have a combined 29 miles of shoreline forming the Castaic Lake State Recreational Area. The s...

The town of Mendocino is as charming and quaint as one can find. It is no wonder why it was pegged as the perfect location spot to film the series Murder She Wrote. While the series heroine Jessica Fletcher's home can still be visited, it is the bay itself that will draw your attention.  Startin...