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Northern California (commonly shortened to NorCal) is a geographic and cultural region that generally comprises the northern portion of the U.S. state of California, spanning the northernmost 48 of the state's 58 counties.
- Check Out The Fiery Natural Wonders At Yosemite National Park. One of the most well-known national parks in the United States, Yosemite National Park is famous for its towering granite cliffs, giant ancient sequoia trees, roaring waterfalls, and outstanding scenery.
- See All Four Volcano Types At Lassen Volcanic National Park. Touted for its steaming fumarole and alpine lakes, Lassen Volcanic National Park is full of thriving nature and stunning picturesque landscapes.
- Visit The Thriving Golden Gate Park. Located in San Francisco, Golden Gate Park is the third most visited park in the United States, and for a good reason!
- Join The Fun At Lake Tahoe. Boasting the largest alpine lake in the nation and the largest freshwater lake in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Lake Tahoe is also the second-deepest lake in the United States!
Discover the scenic beauty and diverse attractions of Northern California, from Big Sur and Yosemite to San Jose and Oakland. Explore the coast, the mountains, the forests, the parks, the cities, and the culture of this region with this comprehensive guide.
Located on the northern end of Monterey Bay about 32 miles from San Jose, Santa Cruz is a quintessential small coastal town with beautiful sandy beaches, world-famous surf, spectacular mountains covered with ancient redwood forests, serene organic farms, and a thriving wine and beer scene.- The Marin Headlands is a fascinating rocky peninsula just north of San Francisco, across the Golden Gate Bridge, with spectacular views of the entire Bay, the bridge itself and the city. The headlands are part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. This is a curious mix of breathtaking natural beauty with lovely beaches, such as the dog-friendly Rodeo Beach, fields of wild flowers, historic ...
- Humboldt Redwoods State Park is located about 30 miles from the town of Eureka in northern California. It includes Rockefeller Forest, the largest contiguous old-growth forest of coastal redwoods in the world. The 51,651-acre park also has old-growth mixed forests, old-growth redwoods and the Bull Creek watershed. About 100 of the park’s coastal redwoods are over 350 feet tall.
- The views of the Pacific from the park are spectacular, and the park is a great place to unwind and breathe among the thundering waterfalls, shady peace of the forest, and rich history. The park has over 80 miles of trails, taking you past many waterfalls, and through lush, green canyon bottoms and sparse slopes covered by chaparral. If you are lucky, you will spot deer, bobcats, raccoons, and man...
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- Mendocino. Mendocino is an artists’ colony that sits atop a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, is the only one on the California coast that’s designated as a historical landmark.
- Point Reyes Station. Located on the edge of Point Reyes National Seashore about an hour north of San Francisco, this small, unincorporated town is home to just 350 residents and serves as the hub for a magnificent stretch of coastline that hosts miles and miles of scenic hiking trails and a healthy oyster fishery.
- Redwood National and State Parks, Crescent City. Redwood National and State Parks, located just south of Crescent City, offers the chance to gaze up at soaring old-growth redwoods, some of the tallest trees on the planet.
- Yosemite National Park. Yosemite National Park is one of America’s most scenic national parks, with its dramatic mountains and steep granite cliffs that offer a chance to enjoy outdoor activities.
- San Francisco. Visiting San Francisco should absolutely be at the top of your Northern California bucket list! This incredibly unique city is a quirky mix of Silicon Valley tech bros, beautiful Victorian mansions, and Karl, the fog (yup, the city’s fog has its very own name).
- Muir Woods. Just a short 30-minute drive from San Francisco, Muir Woods offers a tranquil escape into a world where ancient redwoods reach for the skies.
- Redwoods National and State Parks. This is quite the unique park—not only is it home to the largest collection of the tallest trees on the planet, but it’s also the only national park that’s cooperatively managed with a state park system.
- Lake Tahoe. If there’s one place in northern California where nature meets adventure, Lake Tahoe—which sprawls over 120 square miles and clocks in as the second deepest lake in the country—would be it.
May 2, 2024 · Explore the diverse regions and attractions of NorCal with this massive bucket list. From redwoods and lighthouses to wine and hot springs, find your perfect adventure in Northern California.
Explore the soaring peaks, vast coastline and the tallest of the world's trees in Northern California. Find attractions, articles, activities and guidebooks for your trip to this diverse region.
