Northern California

Explore Northern California

I have been living in San Francisco Bay Area for 20+ years

San Francisco

Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco on a clear day, with the iconic red structure spanning across the blue waters of the bay

How to experience the Golden Gate Bridge (+ best viewpoints!)

Beautiful bright pink flowering plants, cherry blossom trees and an tea house roof seen in the distance

My visit to the Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park

Historic grey Dutch windmill with a beautiful flowering garden in front and several people admiring the tulip blooms in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco

Golden Gate Park: Top 9 things to do (+ tips for visiting)

This image shows Pier 39 in San Francisco, featuring a lively scene with colorful shops and restaurants along the pier. The foreground includes tourists walking and enjoying the attractions, while the background displays the shops

Top 23 Things to Do in San Francisco for First-time Visitors

Big Bus Hop On Hop Off bus loading passengers in San Francisco Fisherman's Wharf stop

Is Big Bus Hop On Hop Off Tour Worth it in San Francisco?

San Francisco Bay Cruise going near the Golden Gate Bridge

Taking a San Francisco Bay Cruise: Tour options and Tips

Close up of the base of group of three redwood tree trunks

Visiting Muir Woods from San Francisco: Ways to get there and what to do

Panoramic view from Grimes Point in Big Sur, California, showcasing the dramatic cliffs and foggy coastline

25 Best Weekend Getaways from San Francisco Bay Area

Red colored Gate Bridge with blue ocean and sky

Ultimate 7 days in San Francisco Itinerary (with options for 10 days)

Views of red Golden Gate Bridge and blue ocean

How to Spend One Day in San Francisco (for First-Timers)

Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco on a clear day, with the iconic red structure spanning across the blue waters of the bay

My epic 3 days in San Francisco Itinerary (by a local!)

Green Presidio Tunnel Tops park space with Golden Gate Bridge and bay views in the background

How many days in San Francisco do you need? (for a first visit)

Little Italy intersection in North Beach neighborhood in San Francisco. The crosswalk is painted in stipes of Italy's flag colors of red, white and green.

North Beach: Top 11 things to do in San Francisco’s Little Italy neighborhood

Coit Tower in San Francisco - a light grey colored concrete cylindrical building

Coit Tower in San Francisco: Visit for epic views and historic murals

Famous Legs statue above Piedmont Boutique

Haight-Ashbury: Top 10 things to do and see in San Francisco’s hippie neighborhood

Green Presidio Tunnel Tops park space with Golden Gate Bridge and bay views in the background

Presidio Tunnel Tops: San Francisco’s new park with stunning views

California’s most popular and truly majestic National Park!

Yosemite National Park

Tunnel View in Yosemite in winter with a dusting of snow on the forest trees and the granite cliffs

Visiting Yosemite in Winter: What to expect and things to do

Famous Tunnel View of Yosemite with El Capital and Half Dome in the distance and a canopy of forest in the front

My epic 2 days in Yosemite Itinerary (covers all the main attractions!)

The Ahwahnee hotel exterior view in Yosemite National Park

My experience staying at The Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite

Lower Yosemite Waterfall flowing with full force and falling on rocks below

My experience hiking the Lower Yosemite Falls Trail

Still water of Mirror Lake in Yosemite reflecting the surrounding scenery of cliffs and trees and a large boulder in the lake

My experience hiking the Mirror Lake Trail in Yosemite

Bridalveil Fall in Yosemite National Park - tall narrow waterfall surrounded by granite cliffs

My Visit to Bridalveil Fall in Yosemite National Park

Beautiful alpine lake popular for hiking and water activities!

Lake Tahoe

An elevated hiking trail in Lake Tahoe with stone steps next to a lake surrounded by forests

15 Best Hikes in Lake Tahoe (easy, moderate, hard levels)

Amazing old-growth redwood forests!

Redwoods National Park

A suspension bridge with net guards and wooden floors between redwood trees at Trees of Mystery

My visit to Trees of Mystery: A unique redwoods attraction!

Fern Canyon Trail, featuring towering canyon walls covered in lush green ferns, a slowing stream and fallen tree trunks on the trail

14 Best Hikes in Redwood National and State Parks

A peaceful view of Stout Memorial Grove with towering redwood trees, tree trunks lying on the sides of the trail

My visit to Stout Grove in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park

Outside of our cottage with a picnic table at Requa Inn in Klamath

Where to Stay in Redwood National and State Parks

A narrow unpaved dirt road on Howland Hill Road, surrounded by towering redwood trees.

17 Incredible Things to do in Redwood National and State Parks

A beautiful dirt trail through a redwood grove at Founders Grove Nature Trail

The ancient Founders Grove on Avenue of the Giants Drive

A beautiful drive through towering giant redwood trees on both sides

Avenue of the Giants: Scenic Redwoods Drive

Fern Canyon Trail, featuring towering canyon walls covered in lush green ferns with a shallow stream running through the trail.

Incredible Fern Canyon hike in Redwood National Park

A peaceful view of Stout Memorial Grove with towering redwood trees, tree trunks lying on the sides of the trail

3 days in Redwood National Park Itinerary covering all the parks!

Hidden gems in Northern California

Shasta – Lassen area

Lassen Peak and green trees reflecting in the clear water of a lake

My epic Lassen Volcanic National Park Itinerary for 1-3 days

A white Boat in Shasta Lake to go to Shasta Caverns surrounded by mountain scenery

11 Best things to do in Shasta Lake (+ nearby attractions)

Hidden gems in Northern California

Bodega Bay

View of Crescent shaped Doran Beach at Bodega Bay from Bodega Head

12 best beaches in Bodega Bay (and Sonoma Coast)