Lucky you Ive compiled over 300+ places to visit in Northern California! or just take in all the scenic beauty , See the fall colors in the autumn countryside of Hope Valley, with Aspens, Black Cottonwoods, and Willows, Make the 2 mile trek to Cascade Falls via the Cascade Falls Trail with a great view of Lake Tahoe, Learn about the history of the bay on an Emerald Bay Cruise (theres waterfalls to gawk at, mountains to admire, and the only island in the lake, Fannette Island). Accessibility: This evaluates the activitys accessibility. Take photos quickly because you will only have a short time at each location for Alcatraz with Muir Woods and Sausalito Tour and Golden Gate Bay Cruise. , Get some of the best seasonal pie of your life from Pie Ranch (or just deal with a pastry and some coffee if theyve ran out) , Pick your own strawberries and sip some hot apple cider at Swanton Berry Farms, known for their strawberry shortcakes and olallieberry cobbler. Visiting the garden is one of the top things to do in Northern California with kids. La Jolla Cove San Diego 9. Without a doubt, taking a road trip through the Pacific Coast Highway is one of the best things to do in Northern California. 21 Things to Do in Central California That You Can't Anywhere Else In the majority opinion on the affirmative . The Jurassic World Live Tour will transform Sacramento's Golden 1 Center to Isla Nublar from Friday through Sunday. Moreover, enjoy your trip to Fishermans Wharf, where many popular seafood places are located. Del Norte, the most northern county, is only 20 miles south of the Oregon border! Here Are Fun And Unique Things To Do In Shelter Cove, California Is it free or cheaper compared to the other options? February is a wonderful time to hit the road in California. Dont worry for beginners; they provide basic and advanced classes and workshops. 1. This historic lighthouse was relocated to Shelter Cove in 1998. 1h 4.8/5 (436) Free cancellation available $38 per adult Go City: San Francisco All-Inclusive Pass with 25+ Attractions 1d+ 4.3/5 (276) Free cancellation available $79 per adult Alcatraz Island Ticket, Hop-on Hop-Off Bus & City Night Tour 2d 4.3/5 (408) Beautiful sea glasses surround the Glass Beach in Fort Bragg. If you're looking for one of the more fun things to do in Northern California with family, then the Walt Disney Family Museum is definitely worth the visit. When youre done at this place, you can head over to Calistoga to see the Old Faithful burst. Check out these 15 best road trips in California! ), Feel super small and marvel at the grand expanse that is Tunnel View the most iconic view in the park, and no hiking required! ), Grab a few friends and hop on the Sac Brew Bike, and go from brewery to brewery tasting some beers along the way, Admire some statement art pieces (and learn some history, too!) Updated July 06, 2023 10:06 AM. ), and Foreign Cinema (watch a movie while you eat!) Ive organized this massive list by region to make travel planning even easier. I obviously know nothing about it! The area is filled with beautiful creatures and the petrified trees are the results of a natural occurrence that are both enlightening and breathtaking. Recommended Hotel Nearby: Little River Inn, Related: Best Things to Do in Mendocino, CA, Fort Bragg, CA 94510(218) 981-7400Open in Google Maps. Things to do in Northern California (March 18-19) See all 75 activities Golden Gate Bay Cruise - Sail Around Alcatraz! , Feel like a kid again on the thrill rides at Californias Great America, and come back at Halloween and Christmas , Walk around the Rose Garden in San Mateo with a bubble tea (boba) in hand, and then hang out in downtown Burlingame, San Carlos, Palo Alto, and/or Los Altos (my favorites) , Brave the line at Ramen Dojo and slurp up noodles and other Asian fare in San Mateo (the ramen oooo the ramen) , Go for a special occasion meal at Madera, at the Rosewood Hotel in Menlo Park , Get your shopping on at Santana Row, an upscale-market place with tons of shops and eateries (check out the exotic cars and the Tesla store!) , Put on your boots and hike among wildflowers atop coastal bluffs at Mori Point, one of my favorite hikes in Pacifica , Gather some friends and have a picnic amongst the gardens at Filoli Historic House & Garden, full of flowers and other scenic greenery, Stroll through the 5.5 acre Municipal Rose Garden in San Jose, known for colorful flowers in bloom from April November (with over 180+ rose varieties!) The Mono Lake is also home to myriads of fish and brine shrimp, and it is a great place to enjoy a quiet time. , Walk down the narrow stairs and passages to the Black Chasm Cavern to witness rare helictite formations only found in a few caves around the world, Soak up all the fall vibes and sip an apple cider milkshake (yes, its a real thing!) State of the Campus: 2023 | UC Davis Leadership Alcatraz is a small island near Twin Peaks and the Golden Gate Bridge, which was used to hold notorious criminals between 1934-1963. At the shop, you can get souvenirs for yourself or a novelty gift for your loved one. If you found this article useful, consider using the links within the article or below. An hour-long tour around Golden Gate Bay will allow you to see the citys most famous sights. You will surely have a memorable trip with many amazing things to do and see in this region. The road takes approximately 10 hours to travel through. Ride a Segway while learning about Golden Gate Parks fascinating past and seeing its little-known treasures with a knowledgeable guide.If youre looking for an affordable activity, this is a great alternative to Golden Gate Bay Cruise and Alcatraz with Muir Woods and Sausalito Tour. The Boiler Room is the secondary . Visit the Sonoma County Farm Trails to enjoy the beauty of rural living in Sebastopol. Traveler favorites in Joshua Tree include the 3-mile out-and-back Ryan Mountain trail and the 1.7-mile Skull Rock loop trail. This skiing and snowboarding destination stands at over 11,000 feet of elevation, which makes it perfect for spring skiing. Brazil. ), Wake up at the crack of dawn and hike Mt. 27 Best Hotels in Lake Tahoe, CA The Top-Rated Hotels to Stay At! 3 must-see Northern California whale festivals in 2023 - The Mercury News If you are looking for a particular star, there's an online tool available called "Star Searcher". While many only come to capture a shot of the bridge that opened in 1937, the best way to actually experience it is to walk across. Weekend Getaway Guide to Eureka, Trinidad, and Arcata, my favorite pumpkin patches in Half Moon Bay here, 20+ Things to do in Caye Caulker: Belizes Laid-Back Tropical Paradise, Things to do in Flores, Guatemala: Ruins, Rope Swings, and More, 10 Epic Towns to Visit in Lake Atitlan, Guatemala (My Favorite Villages), Swimming in Crater Azul near Flores: Guatemalas Breathtaking Blue Crater, The Pacific Grove Magic Carpet: The Prettiest Pink Flowers in Monterey, California, Checking into the Madonna Inn: San Luis Obispos Quirkiest and Most Eccentric Hotel, Fall in San Francisco: 25+ Fall Activities in the SF Bay Area You Cant Miss. (Trinidad), Take a morning stroll along the Giant Sequoias at Sequoia Park, filled with tons of towering trees and even more cute pups (Eureka) , Board the MV Madaket for a guided cruise of Humboldt Bay (Eureka), Pry yourself away from the redwoods for some baklava and a Mexican hot chocolate at Ramones Bakery & Cafe (Eureka, multiple locations), Spend an afternoon wandering around the tiny town of Ferndale, a former dairy capital with Victorian-era butterfat mansions , Go for a the full flight of ciders (or go easy with an ample sample) at Humboldt Cider Company Tap Room (Eureka) , Put on your boots and walk through the clover-lined mini trails at Humboldt Redwoods State Park (dont miss the Founders Tree and Dyerville Giant) (Weott) , Drive slowly through Avenue of the Giants, a scenic 30 mile highway running through 50,000 acres of redwood groves in Humboldt Redwoods State Park (Weott) , Read Next: Weekend Getaway Guide to Eureka, Trinidad, and Arcata (You Wont Believe How Beautiful the Coast is! Established in 1925, the area covers a large expanse of land from Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge on the North to the Modoc National Forest on all other sides. Set sail from Fishermans Wharf on a traditional 1-hour cruise and learn about San Franciscos vibrant past. Those are some reasons why it is on our list of the best things to do in Northern California. Shasta from the very top, Snowshoe at the Bunny Flats on Mt. OH THE WINE (weve got tons of vineyards, even ones with wine tasting in a castle). , Relax on the Sonoma coast at Goat Rock State Beach, and then watch the sunset and have dinner with a view at Rivers End Restaurant & Inn (Jenner), Sample cheese, sign up for a cheese-making class, and go on a full tour along the California Cheese Trail in Sonoma County, Snag an egg tart from Golden Gate Bakery, then stroll down Grant Ave in Chinatown without missing the Dragon Gate, Chinese mai tais at LiPo Cocktail Lounge, and coconut bread at Eastern Bakery , Devour a Mission burrito at El Farolito or La Taqueria, then stand online for some scoops at Bi-Rite and venture over to Dolores Park for a mini picnic , Get a workout walking up the Lyon Street Steps (one of my favorites on this 3-day San Francisco itinerary, and probably all of Northern California!) Recommended Hotel Nearby: Casa Madrona Hotel and Spa, 1 Muir Woods RdMill Valley, CA 94941-4205(415) 561-2850Visit WebsiteSocial MediaOpen in Google Maps. Shuck your own oysters at American Abalone Farms, and try out some abalone too! If you click on an affiliate link we provide, we may receive compensation. Win-win! Come and dance to DJ sets by DJ Kenzo and DJ . Everest!). tour . San Diego Whale Watching Cruise 5. Emily Appelbaum We independently evaluate all recommended services and products. These include the Japanese Tea Gardens, the de Young Museum, and the California Academy of Sciences while being led by a local expert. Recommended Hotel Nearby: Hilton San Francisco Airport Bayfront, Oxbow Public Market610 1st Street, Napa, CA 94559(707) 251-8113Visit WebsiteSocial MediaOpen in Google Maps. An example is Guerneville, which is often referred to as Vacation Wonderland.. Shasta Nordic Center, Other Things to Enjoy in the Shasta Cascades, Throw on your headlights and crawl through some caves at Lava Beds National Monument (theres over 20 to explore! Vista Point Us-101Sausalito, CA 94965(415) 885-9866Visit WebsiteSocial MediaOpen in Google Maps. It had a plethora of activities if youre looking for stuff to do. Think of it as your ultimate NorCal bucket list! And if you live around here, dont tell me youre bored! One of the most intriguing things to do in Northern California is exploring Alcatraz. Elk Grove's festivities start at 6 p.m. A Let Freedom Ride bike parade will start at 6 p.m. That will be followed by a performance . Head to Central California, where unspoiled coastlines, rolling vineyards, and towering hills pop up at every corner. But this list is taking you way beyond the typical touristy stuff. Recommended Hotel Nearby: Red Lion Inn & Suites Susanville, 925 Country Club DrTahoe City, CA 96145(530) 583-5475Visit WebsiteSocial MediaOpen in Google Maps. 25 Best Things to Do in Northern California (for 2023) 16 Exciting Things to Do in Northern California - LaJolla.com This Northern California Trail Is One Of The Best Places To View Summer Wildflowers. Despite the downsides, these activities are still worth the try with your family. The frozen delicacy served by ITS-IT has been a superstar among San Francisco residents for more than 50 years. Now, the headquarters is in Burlingame, where it makes up to 100,000 ice cream sandwiches every day. The event will take place on July 14, at 6:30 p.m.