Northern California: *** For more general trip ideas throughout California, go to this link.
1. Gold Country - experience the areas made famous for the California gold rush in 1849. This area can get hot in summer, so plan your trip for spring or fall when the temperatures are a bit milder unless you love hot weather.
2. The California Sierras - include visits to Lake Tahoe, Yosemite, and Sequoia and Kings Canyon to mention a few. Winter months, these areas are full of snow for skiing and exploring and in summer, many mountain trails allow you to get off the roads and into the forests. Some, like Yosemite, are in National Parks and others are either local or State of California Parks. Check on our web page above for the link to "Photos and Videos" and look for the photos link to the Sierra.
3. Fort Ross - A scenic drive along the coast from SF. The historic fort has its origins with Russian fur traders and the early native Americans in the area.
4. Big Sur State Park - This area has very scenic trails as well as campgrounds near or on the beach.
5. Point Lobos State Reserve -- About 2 hours south of Stanford, this area could easily be combined with a visit to the Monterey bay and aquarium. There are beautiful walks along the cliffs. We recommend taking the trail that starts NORTH of the parking lot. It will take you along the bluffs where you can see the ocean waves crashing against the cliffs below and is very dramatic. Take a picnic and just sit along the bluffs and relax and enjoy. Again, remember that summer months can be chilly and foggy.
6. Mendocino County - About 3 to 4 hours north of SF, this scenic area offers large coastal redwood forests, artist colonies, and beautiful ocean views.
7. Monterey Bay Aquarium -- An excellent display of sealife along the coast of California. Not to be missed!
8. Carmel Mission -- One of the oldest California missions established by Father Junipero Serra and where he died and is buried. He established a string of missions up and down the length of California. You may see the traditional bell that is placed along the route that Fthr Serra took along Highway 210 and along the El Camino Real. Combine this with your visit to Pt. Lobos (above) and the Monterey bay. The mission has a museum and interesting courtyard.
9. Elkhorn Slough -- in the Monterey bay area is an estuary where you can view sea otters, seals, birds and other wildlife. The link offers walking tours lead by volunteers or you can rent a kayakor take a tour on a boatfrom nearby Moss Landing. Dress warmly!
10. Take the drive along incredibly scenic Highway 1 south to San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Los Angeles. It is an ALL DAY drive and there are many scenic areas along the way. DRIVE CAREFULLY as the road winds in and out of the cliffs. Pull off the road on the many scenic areas along the way. We suggest you do NOT attempt the entire drive to Los Angeles in 1 day. Consider stopping in San Luis Obispo for the night.
11. For the adventurous, try river rafting. While the link points to one company, it is listed merely for an example and not an endorsement as we have not used them. There are many compainies to choose from doing a web search.
12. Pinnacles National Monument is located about 2 hours south of Stanford. There are many trails to explore the beautiful area. The California Condor (almost extinct and on the endangered species list) can sometimes be seen here. There are a couple of caves to explore, but if you intend to do so, bring good flashlights. The caves are home to the areas large-eared bats and from about mid-May to mid-July, the caves are closed while the bats raise their young.
13. Lassen Volcanic National Park is located in the far north of the State. There you can see fairly recent volcanic activity and beautiful and interesting sites.
14. Visit the Sonoma Serengeti. It's not a zoo, not a drive through park, but an authentic African wildlife preserve (Safari West) in the wine country! They have birds from all over the world and mammals from Africa and can be seen on guided walking and jeep/tram tours. Call ahead for reservations as spaces can fill early. One can even stay overnight in the reserve.
15. In Calistoga about 2 hours north of San Francisco, one can visit and walk the trails of The Petrified Forest. See petrified redwood trees over 3 million years old as you walk the trail. While in the area, you can visit wineries in Napa. Some have castles as their home. Castello di Amorosa and Chateau Montelena and Sterling Vineyards with its arial tram and self guided tour are among the best known.
1. Gold Country - experience the areas made famous for the California gold rush in 1849. This area can get hot in summer, so plan your trip for spring or fall when the temperatures are a bit milder unless you love hot weather.
2. The California Sierras - include visits to Lake Tahoe, Yosemite, and Sequoia and Kings Canyon to mention a few. Winter months, these areas are full of snow for skiing and exploring and in summer, many mountain trails allow you to get off the roads and into the forests. Some, like Yosemite, are in National Parks and others are either local or State of California Parks. Check on our web page above for the link to "Photos and Videos" and look for the photos link to the Sierra.
3. Fort Ross - A scenic drive along the coast from SF. The historic fort has its origins with Russian fur traders and the early native Americans in the area.
4. Big Sur State Park - This area has very scenic trails as well as campgrounds near or on the beach.
5. Point Lobos State Reserve -- About 2 hours south of Stanford, this area could easily be combined with a visit to the Monterey bay and aquarium. There are beautiful walks along the cliffs. We recommend taking the trail that starts NORTH of the parking lot. It will take you along the bluffs where you can see the ocean waves crashing against the cliffs below and is very dramatic. Take a picnic and just sit along the bluffs and relax and enjoy. Again, remember that summer months can be chilly and foggy.
6. Mendocino County - About 3 to 4 hours north of SF, this scenic area offers large coastal redwood forests, artist colonies, and beautiful ocean views.
7. Monterey Bay Aquarium -- An excellent display of sealife along the coast of California. Not to be missed!
8. Carmel Mission -- One of the oldest California missions established by Father Junipero Serra and where he died and is buried. He established a string of missions up and down the length of California. You may see the traditional bell that is placed along the route that Fthr Serra took along Highway 210 and along the El Camino Real. Combine this with your visit to Pt. Lobos (above) and the Monterey bay. The mission has a museum and interesting courtyard.
9. Elkhorn Slough -- in the Monterey bay area is an estuary where you can view sea otters, seals, birds and other wildlife. The link offers walking tours lead by volunteers or you can rent a kayakor take a tour on a boatfrom nearby Moss Landing. Dress warmly!
10. Take the drive along incredibly scenic Highway 1 south to San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Los Angeles. It is an ALL DAY drive and there are many scenic areas along the way. DRIVE CAREFULLY as the road winds in and out of the cliffs. Pull off the road on the many scenic areas along the way. We suggest you do NOT attempt the entire drive to Los Angeles in 1 day. Consider stopping in San Luis Obispo for the night.
11. For the adventurous, try river rafting. While the link points to one company, it is listed merely for an example and not an endorsement as we have not used them. There are many compainies to choose from doing a web search.
12. Pinnacles National Monument is located about 2 hours south of Stanford. There are many trails to explore the beautiful area. The California Condor (almost extinct and on the endangered species list) can sometimes be seen here. There are a couple of caves to explore, but if you intend to do so, bring good flashlights. The caves are home to the areas large-eared bats and from about mid-May to mid-July, the caves are closed while the bats raise their young.
13. Lassen Volcanic National Park is located in the far north of the State. There you can see fairly recent volcanic activity and beautiful and interesting sites.
14. Visit the Sonoma Serengeti. It's not a zoo, not a drive through park, but an authentic African wildlife preserve (Safari West) in the wine country! They have birds from all over the world and mammals from Africa and can be seen on guided walking and jeep/tram tours. Call ahead for reservations as spaces can fill early. One can even stay overnight in the reserve.
15. In Calistoga about 2 hours north of San Francisco, one can visit and walk the trails of The Petrified Forest. See petrified redwood trees over 3 million years old as you walk the trail. While in the area, you can visit wineries in Napa. Some have castles as their home. Castello di Amorosa and Chateau Montelena and Sterling Vineyards with its arial tram and self guided tour are among the best known.
