Why we love it: So much beauty for so little effort! Gorgeous views of the coast and Golden Gate Bridge and a beach perfect for a day of play. For the Young Ones (0-10): Our Little Miss had no trouble walking the entire approx. 3 miles, broken up by beach time playing in the sand. … Continue reading Lands End (California Coastal Trail) to Mile Rock Beach
Day trip/weekend trip from Sacramento
Little Yosemite
Why we love it: Taking the Canyon View Trail from the Visitor's Center (make sure to grab a map!) is a fun and interesting route (see my Reel on Instagram), and taking the Camp Ohlone Road back via the parking lots made an easy finish to a day scrambling on the river rocks. For the … Continue reading Little Yosemite
Stream-Prince-East Ridge Hike
Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park is such a treat and, other than hearing the occasional airplane pass overhead, I'd never know we were so close to Oakland. Make sure to grab a map or take some photos of the one available online before you go. If you find you have plenty of time to spare, you … Continue reading Stream-Prince-East Ridge Hike
Westwood Hills Park
When dreaming of Napa, most people imagine rolling hills of vineyards. You'll catch sight of those, as well as a panoramic view over the City of Napa, and the bonus of a tree swing! For this park, you can choose you own adventure, but do so at your own risk. When we arrived there was … Continue reading Westwood Hills Park
Yosemite NP: Lembert Dome
Visitors on a quick trip to Yosemite National Park often miss out on the beauty along Tioga Road (Hwy 120 through the park). Lembert Dome is one of many lesser known domes (compared to Half Dome) but SO much fun for a quick hike up! Why we love it: Depending on your mood, you can … Continue reading Yosemite NP: Lembert Dome
Yosemite NP: Taft Point
Why we love it: Pretty much anywhere in Yosemite you'll get amazing views. We loved this hike because it was short enough (2.2 miles RT) to get a cool new experience (the wind draft up at the point and those crazy fissures!) and only required one snack break for the kiddos each way! For the … Continue reading Yosemite NP: Taft Point
Calaveras Big Trees SP – North Grove
Calaveras Big Trees State Park became a state park back in 1931 in order to preserve the North Grove. On Saturdays at 1pm the park offers a free guided hike of the grove from the Visitor Center! Take the guided hike or explore on your own, like we did! Why we love it: Our … Continue reading Calaveras Big Trees SP – North Grove
Bassi Falls Trail
Once you know how to get there, this is a great trail! (See "How to get there" below.) This is a very popular trail, and it's easy to see why. Everyone loves to head to the water in the summer, especially a waterfall, and even more so to a waterfall that has natural pools you … Continue reading Bassi Falls Trail
Cascade Canal Trail
Why we love it: It's a great way to get out in nature on a true hike, without much difficulty. Starting at the Gracie Road trailhead, there are a few switchbacks near the beginning, but it evens out and is mostly wide and level terrain. For the Young Ones (0-10): It may be hard to … Continue reading Cascade Canal Trail
Sierra Discovery Trail
PG&E's Sierra Discovery Trail is an interpretive loop trail that is full of educational signs describing the local plants, geology and wildlife of the area. This 0.8-mile trail is located off of Highway 20 and Bowman Lake Road near Alta, CA. Sarah's family was camping in the Tahoe National Forest at White Cloud Campground along Highway … Continue reading Sierra Discovery Trail
Family Trail Time: A Mama's Hiking Guide 