The Best Hikes on the Northern California Coast

Whether you're interested in a casual walk along bluffs above crashing surf or a longer excursion into the coastal mountains high above the Pacific, hundreds of miles of serene coastal trails await on the California coastline.

Between the Oregon border and Big Sur alone, outings range from wandering through a fairy-tale land of the giant trees of the Redwood Empire to a multi-day, tide-timed trek along the Lost Coast, to a stroll to a waterfall plunging into the ocean at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park.

Where to start? Use this list, oriented north to south, to help you start exploring some of coastal Northern California's finest.

Lands End Coastal Trail
The 1.4-mile Coastal Trail at Lands End is a favorite among San Franciscans for good reason. It offers spectacular views of the Golden Gate, the Marin Headlands and the waters of the Pacific. Traversing the coastal bluffs above the ocean between Point Lobos and the Sea Cliff neighborhood, the Coastal Trail provides hikers, runners, bicyclists and beachcombers easy urban access to the Golden Gate's rugged southern edge.

• PROS: Stunning views of the Golden Gate. Beach access. Easy access within San Francisco.
• CONS: Often in fog.
• REGION: San Francisco Peninsula + Santa Cruz, CA
• CONGESTION: High
• DAY-USE/PARKING PASS REQUIRED: Not Required
• TRAIL USES: Hiking, Biking
• TRAIL TYPE: There-and-back
• DOGS ALLOWED: Yes

Point St. George Heritage Area. (Photo by Aron Bosworth)


Pt. St. George Heritage Area
Point St. George Heritage Area, lying just north of Crescent City, is the third westernmost point in the continental United States. The 340 acres of coastal bluffs and rocky shoreline that jut out to sea provide unparalleled panoramas of the surrounding coastline. Panoramic views of Oregon to the north, the Siskoyou Mountains inland, and the forested bluffs of the Redwood Empire to the south make for a spectacular backdrop against the cool blue Pacific Ocean. Walking trails thread the headlands and provide access to the beaches and scenic overlooks before connecting to additional trails that explore the adjacent Tolowa Dunes State Park and a network of coastal lakes and lagoons.

• PROS: Stunning coastal panaromas. Point St. George Reef Lighthouse.
• CONS: None.
• REGION: Redwoods + Del Norte Coast, CA
• CONGESTION: Low
• DAY-USE/PARKING PASS REQUIRED: Not Required
• BEACH: Open, sandy beach, Pebbly Beach, Rocky Shore
• TIDE POOLS: Yes
• WILDLIFE: Seabirds, Harbor Seals, Sea Lions

Stout Memorial Grove. Jedidiah Smith Redwoods State Park. (Photo by Aron Bosworth)


Stout Memorial Grove
Tucked away from the drive-through limelight of Highway 199, Stout Memorial Grove is out of sight and out of mind for many, if not most, Redwood-bound visitors. Those who do make the side trip down Howland Hill Road to see Stout Grove's magnificent coast redwoods are well rewarded. Stout Grove is arguably the most scenic of the coast redwood groves in Jedidiah Smith Redwood State Park, and the location on the other side of the Smith River from the highway keeps the visitor count down.

• PROS: Cathedral-like redwood grove. Few people.
• CONS: Tougher to find than other nearby groves
• REGION: Redwoods + Del Norte Coast, CA
• CONGESTION: Low
• DAY-USE/PARKING PASS REQUIRED: Not Required
• DOGS ALLOWED: No

Mount Tamalpais State Park
Established in 1963, Mount Tamalpais State Park is one of the Bay Area's open space treasures. Rising above the Marin Headlands, Mount Tam boasts over 50 miles of hiking trails, campgrounds, and Marin's highest point, East Peak, at 2,571 feet. With a diversity of ecosystems ranging from hill covered grasslands to fog-laden redwoods, the park leaves little to be desired when it comes to natural diversity. Mount Tam is connected to a larger network of Marin County open space areas and shares borders with the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Muir Woods National Monument, and the Marin Municipal Water District, offering visitors a nearly inexhaustible swath of open space and trails to explore.

• PROS: Tallest point in Marin. Vistas. Top-notch hiking trails.
• CONS: Can get crowded on weekends.
• REGION: Marin, CA
• CONGESTION: Moderate
• DAY-USE/PARKING PASS REQUIRED: State Park Fee ($10.00)
• PICNIC TABLES: Yes

Natural Arch on the south end of College Cove Beach. (Photo by Ashley Johnson)


Elk Head Trail
This trail is an easy there-and-back that provides great views and access to College Cove Beach. The trail is easy to follow and clearly marked, and the first portion of the trail provides some great viewing points for looking down on the beach. The coastal spruce forest has a lush understory of ferns, moss, wild flowers; as you approach the open areas, watch for a variety of birds such as common murres, brown pelicans and gray jays. The beach is a local favorite, and the cove provides shelter for safe swimming and surfing in the warmer months. You can see that the beach is actually separated in the middle (access between the two is possible during low tide only), and on the southern end there is a rock formation with a visible natural arch.

• REGION: Humboldt, CA
• CONGESTION: Moderate
• DAY-USE/PARKING PASS REQUIRED: Not Required
• DOGS ALLOWED: Yes

(Photo by Brandon Katcher)


The Lost Coast Trail
The Lost Coast Trail is a wild and unique backpacking adventure along one of the most rugged sections of the Northern California Coast. The King Range area is nearly untouched by civilization, with only a few small towns along the two-hour shuttle from Shelter Cove to the Mattole Beach trailhead to the north. The trail provides incredible views, a variety of wildlife and flora, and a glimpse of some rarely seen California coastal terrain. Keep in mind that portions of this trip take a great deal of effort; the majority of the 25-mile, 3-day trip takes place on sandy beaches, which can be exhausting for legs and feet.

• PROS: Beautiful landscape. Only backpackers. Wildflowers. Plenty of water.
• CONS: Long shuttle ride. Hard on legs and feet. Many river crossings.
• REGION: Humboldt, CA
• CONGESTION: Low
• PREFERABLE SEASON(S):Spring, Summer, Fall
• DAY-USE/PARKING PASS REQUIRED: Not Required
• DOGS ALLOWED: Yes

Fern Canyon Trail
Not to be confused with Fern Canyon of Russian Gulch Sate Park found only a few miles to the north, this Fern Canyon Trail is tucked away at the east end of Van Damme State Park. The trail is known for it's lush environs, spawning habitat for salmon and steelhead, and as a connector trail to a cypress and pine pygmy forest found a few miles inland.

• PROS: Open to hiking and biking. Ferns.
• CONS: Bridges crossing Little River are removed during winter.
• REGION: Mendocino Coast + Clear Lake Area, CA
• CONGESTION: Moderate
• PREFERABLE SEASON(S): Spring, Summer, Fall
• DAY-USE/PARKING PASS REQUIRED: State Park Fee ($8.00)
• TRAIL USES: Hiking, Biking
• TRAIL TYPE: There-and-back
• DOGS ALLOWED: No

(Photo by Aron Bosworth)


Kortum Trail
Approximately 8 miles north of Bodega Bay, a beautiful stretch of coastal bluffs is made accessible by an inconspicuous coastal path known as the Kortum Trail. Connecting Blind Beach near Goat Rock in the north to Wright's Beach in the south, the full length of the Kortum Trail traverses 3.8 miles of Sonoma Coast State Park and offers sweeping views of the great blue Pacific, offshore sea stacks, and access to a fun little climbing crag along the way. The most scenic and interesting part of the trail is the northern section, which starts near the Blind Beach parking area and continues 2.25 miles south to Shell Beach.

• PROS: Ocean views. Bouldering rocks.
• CONS: Can be windy.
• REGION: Sonoma Coast + Napa Area, CA
• CONGESTION: Low
• DAY-USE/PARKING PASS REQUIRED: Not Required
• TRAIL USES: Hiking
• TRAIL TYPE: There-and-back
• DOGS ALLOWED: No

(Photo by Aron Bosworth)


Chimney Rock
Part of the Point Reyes National Seashore, this short hike out to Chimney Rock provides an unparalleled perspective on the beauty of Drake's Bay and the surrounding swath of Pacific Ocean. The Chimney Rock trail traverses the exposed, bluff-lined peninsula that forms the eastern section of Point Reyes, heading out to the tip and an overlook of the ocean, Drakes' Bay, and Chimney Rock. Despite the trail's name, Chimney Rock itself might be the least exciting feature of the hike; rather, views of the unique coastline, marine life, Point Reyes' lifeboat history, and spring wildflowers steal the show.

• PROS: Scenic Point Reyes vistas. Wildlife. Unique coastline terrain.
• CONS: Often foggy or windy.
• REGION: Marin, CA
• CONGESTION: Moderate
• PREFERABLE SEASON(S): Winter, Spring, Fall
• DAY-USE/PARKING PASS REQUIRED: Not Required
• TRAIL USES: Hiking
• TRAIL TYPE: There-and-back
• DOGS ALLOWED: No

(Photo by Brandon Katcher)


Sky Trail Loop, Bear Valley to Mount Wittenberg
Point Reyes National Seashore is a 70,000-acre outdoor playground about 30 miles north of San Francisco. With ample trails, campgrounds, and beaches, Point Reyes attracts outdoor and nature enthusiasts from around the world. The area has a resident tule elk herd, a huge variety of bird species, and it is a favorite mating spot for northern elephant seals.

• PROS: Beautiful forests and views. Various loops and lengths available.
• CONS: Can be crowded.
• REGION: Marin, CA
• CONGESTION: Moderate
• DAY-USE/PARKING PASS REQUIRED: Not Required
• TRAIL USES: Hiking
• TRAIL TYPE: There-and-back/Loop
• DOGS ALLOWED: No

Pelican Lake. (Photo by Monica Ralston)

Palomarin to Alamere Falls
The trip to Alamere Falls offers stunning coastal views of Point Reyes National Seashore and a wonderfully unique waterfall. The landscape is varied with coastal scrub pine and oak forests, and there are several lakes along the way. Alamere Falls pours from a rocky cliff onto a long, wide stretch of beach, and it is the perfect place to enjoy a lunch break or an afternoon stroll in the sand.

• PROS: Coastal views. Swimming lake. Waterfalls.
• CONS: Weekend crowds. Poison oak.
• REGION: Marin, CA
• CONGESTION: High
• DAY-USE/PARKING PASS REQUIRED: Not Required
• TRAIL USES: Hiking
• TRAIL TYPE: There-and-back

Muir Woods via Deer Park Fire Road
With nearly one million annual visitors, Muir Woods National Monument can feel like a tourist zoo at times, particularly on weekends. Fortunately, there's a little known back-door entrance, that offers a pleasant hike with coastal views, ridges, and redwood stands via the Deer Park Fire Rd. that is a guaranteed way to avoid the crowds.

• PROS: Pacific Ocean views. Back door/less crowded route into Muir Woods.
• CONS: Weekend parking and crowds.
• REGION: Marin, CA
• CONGESTION: Moderate
• DAY-USE/PARKING PASS REQUIRED: General Day Use Fee ($5.00)
• TRAIL USES: Hiking
• TRAIL TYPE: Loop
• DOGS ALLOWED: No

The trail toward Tennessee Valley. (Photo by Rini Sugianto)


Coastal Trail, Rodeo Beach to Muir Beach
This section of the Coastal Trail begins not to far from Marin Mammals Center at Rodeo Beach, a unique beach with red and green pebbly chert grains. You'll quickly note the dilapidated military structures that are visible in the distance; in contrast to Rodeo Beach's Fort Barry and Fort Cronkhite, both of which serve as National Park Service facilities, all of the batteries and small gun emplacements on the ridge are empty and abandoned, their walls covered by graffiti.

• PROS: Pretty coastal views. Beaches.
• CONS: Can get foggy. Crowds.
• REGION: Marin, CA
• CONGESTION: High
• PREFERABLE SEASON(S): Spring, Summer, Fall
• DAY-USE/PARKING PASS REQUIRED: Not Required
• TRAIL USES: Hiking, Biking, Horseback
• TRAIL TYPE: There-and-back

Marin Headlands
While the Marin Headlands may be best known for front-and-center views of the Golden Gate Bridge found at Battery Spencer, there is much to explore beyond this heavily traveled viewpoint. Encompassing 2,100 acres of rugged, hilly landscape overlooking the Pacific, the Marin Headlands have been protected and managed by the National Park Service as part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area since 1970, and for good reason. The area is an outdoor recreation treasure trove. With dozens of miles of hiking and mountain biking trails, walk-in campgrounds, a handful of spectacular beaches and numerous historical sites of interest, the viewpoints only scratch the surface of this outdoor playground.

• PROS: Beautiful vistas. Diversity of recreational actvities.
• CONS: Battery Spencer crowds
• REGION: Marin, CA
• CONGESTION: High
• DAY-USE/PARKING PASS REQUIRED: Not Required

Steep Ravine Trail to Dipsea Trail Loop
Mount Tamalpais State Park's Steep Ravine Trail is a worthy hike by itself, but when you add the western stretch of the Dipsea Trail to make a loop out of the hike, this becomes one of Mount Tam's most spectacular jaunts. The Steep Ravine Trail follows Webb Creek through a cascading canyon under a canopy of lush redwoods and fern-filled gullies. Pass over a handful of wooden bridges that crisscross the creek, and even scramble up a 10-foot ladder surmounting moss covered boulders. This shaded, verdant oasis feels like Land Before Time territory, and thoughts of urban hustle and bustle float away with the creek's flow.

• PROS: Diversity of landscapes throughout loop. Free parking at Whitegate Ranch Trailhead.
• CONS: None.
• REGION: Marin, CA
• CONGESTION: Moderate
• DAY-USE/PARKING PASS REQUIRED: Not Required
• TRAIL USES: Hiking
• TRAIL TYPE: Loop

Article and images sourced from http://www.7x7.com/the-best-hikes-on-the-northern-california-coast-1787295440.html#

THE 15 MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACES IN CALIFORNIA YOU DIDN'T KNOW EXISTED

From Yosemite and Big Sur, to Joshua Tree and Santa Barbara, California is home to some of the most beautiful places on the West Coast, nay, the country, nay, THE WORLD, okay reverse nay, still just the country. It's beautiful enough, that no matter how many Half Dome hikes you take, you're still never even going to scratch the surface of all the Instagrammable wonder the Golden State has to offer.

But that doesn't mean we're not gonna help you try: here are the 15 most beautiful places in California you didn't even know existed.

1. The cypress "tree tunnel"

Point Reyes
Located in between the Pacific Ocean and Tomales Bay (and inside of the Point Reyes National Seashore) you'll find this Monterey cypress "tree tunnel" that leads to an old Point Reyes wireless telegraphy receiving station built in the 1920s. Doesn't matter if you catch it with a patch of early morning fog enveloping either end, or with the afternoon light breaking through its interlocked branches, either way, you'll feel like you've won the damn day.

2. Alamere Falls

Point Reyes
Oh this? It's just a waterfall. THAT FLOWS DIRECTLY INTO THE OCEAN. A rare "tidefall," it's found by following the Coast Trail from the Palomarin Trailhead on a 8.5-mile round-trip hike. Pro tip: stop at Bass Lake along the way if you're into rope swings. (Editor's Note: You're into rope swings.)

3. Bowling Ball Beach

Point Arena
Named after the spherical sandstone creations, which look like bowling balls (and also, just regular balls), Bowling Ball Beach is located way the hell up Hwy 1. If the tide level is just right, this is one of the most SWTF (Seriously What The Fuck) things in California.

4. The Glory Hole

Lake Berryessa
The California drought has kinda ruined this one, but when the water levels are right and you're near the east side of the Monticello Dam at Lake Berryessa, this open bell-mouth spillway (basically what lets them release flows of dam water into Putah Creek) is one of the coolest things you'll ever stare into (from a very, VERY safe distance) in your life. Creepy bonus: the lake was the site of one of the Zodiac murders!

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5. La Tour

Laguna Beach
Turns out, Orange County's only "lighthouse" (known as "Pirate Tower" to locals) was actually a 60ft structure built in 1926 to help California State Senator William E. Brown get from his home on the top of the cliff to the beach below (there's a metal staircase inside). Today, it's home to Westley and Princess Buttercup (or something).

6. Painted Canyons

Mecca
Located about an hour southeast of Palm Springs, this is hands down one of the most unique California "hikes" you'll ever go on, largely because it's a LADDER hike (!) through a narrow and actually really refreshingly cold gorge formed years ago by the San Andreas Fault. The whole "Painted Canyons" name is thanks to the walls, which are washed with pinks, reds, grays, browns, and greens -- especially when you first pull into the canyon. Bonus: a few years back, some wonderful person replaced the wood ladders with metal ones. (Thank God.)

7. Natural Bridges

Vallecito
Known to geology nerds as a “karst,” the Natural Bridges were formed when the rushing waters of Coyote Creek eroded through a layer of soluble bedrock and created this Aladdin-caliber Cave of Wonders. Best part? If you really want to explore this thing (and you can), you're gonna need a bathing suit. Basically if you're going to California Gold Country, you'll want to also be going to here.

8. Pfeiffer Beach

Big Sur
McWay Falls (NorCal tidefall No. 2!!) gets a lot of the Big Sur attention -- as it should, it's freaking ridiculous -- as does Bixby Bridge (also great), but Pfeiffer Beach might actually be the gem-ier gem. Not only does it have THE INSANE ROCK FORMATION PICTURED ABOVE (get an Insta of the keyhole at sunset if you want to set a new likes record), but it also has purple sand. Yep. Purple. Sand.

9. Fern Canyon

Gold Bluffs Beach
Steven Spielberg chose this as the location for The Lost World: Jurassic Park because 1) holy crap look at it, 2) it's an international Biosphere Reserve (what does that even mean???), and 3) it's a narrow gorge carved out by Home Creek with walls hugged by seven types of ferns, some of which date back 325 million years. It's a short trail, so double back on it. Twice. Okay fine, thrice.

10. The Seven Tea Cups

Johnsondale
One of the coolest natural wonders of the Sierras, the Seven Tea Cups has been described as one of the world's (WORLD'S!) most spectacular canyoneering challenges. And that's the rub on this one -- you need, like, ropes and stuff to climb it. But if you do (or find a friend who knows what the hell they're doing and can, like, carry you up or something) you'll be rewarded on the way back down, which awesome people have been known to awesomely take inflatable killer whales and alligators down (just, duh, make sure the water depth is chill before you kill yourself). This is a must-read if you're gonna actually try this thing. And you should. Because holy shit look at this thing guys. LOOK AT IT.

11. Glass Beach

Fort Bragg
While years of dumping Fort Bragg garbage along the coastline in the '50s and '60s was mostly the worst thing ever, it wasn't totally and entirely, thanks to Glass Beach -- a beach filled almost entirely with sea glass. Just don't take any of it with you -- because of souvenir hunters and the waves (which are constantly grinding down the glass), it's actually diminishing. Don't be that guy.

12. Mossbrae Falls

Dunsmuir
Yep. That's in California. One of the most scenic waterfalls in the Golden State, Mossbrae Falls are fed by springs, which course down a moss-covered canyon wall and create this eye-bulger. Just make sure you use the right access point -- one of the trails is closed.

13. Enchanted Forest

Shady Dell
This way WAY Northern California redwood forest on the Lost Coast is like any other redwood forest, except it's known as the Enchanted Forest (!!!) and is home to the insane candelabra trees you see above/three fairy godmothers who're trying to keep Princess Aurora safe. Maybe. Seriously though, the Lost Coast is one of the true gems of California, and this right here is one of the true gems of the Lost Coast. 

14. Poppy Reserve

Antelope Valley
Fields of the California state flower, literally for as far as you can see. It's one of those things that makes you feel incredibly small in the grand scheme of things.

15. Zabriskie Point

Death Valley
Ninety-nine percent of Death Valley is super death-y. But 1% -- this 1% -- comes alive. Named after a VP of an old borax company who used 20-mule teams to transport borax (Wikipedia-five!), it's maybe the most beautiful-looking rock place in the entire state. Also it was featured prominently on U2's The Joshua Tree album cover. So there's that.

Article and images sourced from https://www.thrillist.com/entertainment/los-angeles/the-most-beautiful-places-in-california-road-trip-ideas

Bay Area Waterfalls Return to Their Former Glory Thanks to El Niño

Photo by Pascual Dutton.

All this rain has done more than hit Tahoe with tons of snows, El Niño is also reviving hundreds of waterfalls across the Bay Area. Re-discover their majestic beauty. 

McWay Falls

If you’re heading down to Big Sur, be sure to include a stop at one of California's most iconic waterfalls. The trail to access this 80 foot beach waterfall (officially considered a “tidefall”) is located in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park and is a quick ½-mile hike from the parking area. The views won’t disappoint, so be sure to pack your camera. Learn more.

Inside tip: Look for free, and often less crowded parking along the west side of Highway 1. It’s an easy walk down to the trail from there.

Alamere Falls

This amazing 40 foot beach waterfall should be at the top of your list. It features a relatively easy 8.4-mile roundtrip hike that includes sweeping coastal views, forests, and a fun swimming hole along the way, so you can’t go wrong. The view from the beach looking up at the falls is surreal. It’s hard to believe something so cool exists just a short drive from San Francisco. Learn more.

Inside tip: Make sure you pack some water, a snack, and your camera. There is a short, tricky scramble from the upper falls down to the beach, so take your time and watch your step.

Cataract Falls

If you like the soft sounds of running streams, cascading waterfalls, and being surrounded by a lush forest of redwoods, then this hike is for you. This is an absolutely gorgeous 5-mile roundtrip hike that meanders along Cataract Creek, past a seemingly neverending series of cascading falls, and ends with an amazing view of Alpine Lake. Learn more.

Inside Tip: You can pack a bite and enjoy it at the picnic table at the top of the trail, or head back into Fairfax and stop at Gestalt Haus for beers and sausage.

Big Basin

Considered one of the more adventurous and beautiful day hikes in the Bay Area, the 11-mile Berry Creek Falls Loop actually features three beautiful waterfalls: Berry Creek Falls (70 feet), Silver Falls (60 feet), and Golden Cascade (30 feet). In addition to the falls, you’ll trek through beautiful redwoods and along meandering creeks. As you’d expect, it’s basically heaven. Learn more.

Inside Tip: For a great post-hike reward, head over to the Davenport Cafe Bar & Grill for a bite, then walk next door for some wine tasting at the Bonny Doon Vineyards Tasting Room.

Russian Gulch

Russian Gulch State Park’s beautiful 36 foot waterfall is worthy of a day trip on its own, but we recommend planning an overnight stay (at least) at one of our favorite coastal campgrounds in the Bay Area. Nestled between its waterfall, trails, and rugged beach, this campsite provides easy access to swimming, fishing, diving, hiking, kayaking, and biking.Learn more.

Inside Tip: Be sure to check out the Devil’s Punch Bowl, a large collapsed sea cave with churning water. If you have access to a kayak, you can explore some cool sea caves along the coast.

Article and images sourced from http://www.7x7.com/travel/bay-area-waterfalls-return-their-former-glory-thanks-el-ni-o