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My favorite Northern California gems
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items California is so much more than Southern California 🌲🌊 Come explore the side of California I love — towering coastal redwoods, rugged beaches, mountains, charming little towns and some seriously beautiful hidden gems. These are places I think are a...
Map
Sections
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Mendocino county
Humboldt County
San Fransisco & Marin must sees!
Mendocino county
Things to do and places to see in the gorgeous Mendocino County. Just two hours North of San Francisco.
Such a beautiful Mendocino County wine stop 🍷🌿 Bring a picnic, grab a glass and enjoy the gorgeous grounds. I love the relaxed atmosphere here — it feels welcoming and laid-back instead of stuffy. Perfect for a slow afternoon of wine, sunshine and ...
Saracina Vineyards
One of the most unique places to visit in Ukiah! 🦚🏯 The City of Ten Thousand Buddhas is a huge Buddhist community with beautiful temples and a large campus you can explore. Peacocks and ground squirrels roam the grounds, and some of the older build...
City of 10,000 Buddhas
Just about 10 minutes north of Ukiah in the small town of Redwood Valley 🎰✨ Coyote Valley Casino & Resort sits on the Coyote Valley Reservation and now has a newly built hotel and remodeled casino. Grab dinner and drinks, catch live music and en...
Coyote Valley Casino and Resort
Come enjoy the serene settings while you soak in the famous champagne baths!
Vichy Springs Resort and Inn
We just took the kids here and had so much fun! 🌲👣 Confusion Hill is one of those quirky old-school roadside stops that makes a Northern California road trip more memorable. There’s a cute gift shop, lots of Bigfoot fun and, of course, the famous G...
Confusion Hill
Yes, you really can drive THROUGH a giant redwood! 🌲🚙 We did this with the kids and it was totally worth the stop. Fair warning — it was a VERY tight squeeze in my Toyota Highlander 😂, but we made it through and the kids loved it!
We also checked...
Drive-Thru Tree Park Leggett
Humboldt County
There’s something almost fairy-tale-like about the Avenue of the Giants. 🌲✨ The drive itself has some quieter stretches, but then you come around a corner and the size of these redwoods can seriously take your breath away.
We stopped at one of the ...
Avenue of the Giants
Shelter Cove is such a beautiful little escape on California’s Lost Coast. 🌊🎣 We spent our time fishing, hiking and just taking in the scenery. It feels remote and tucked away from everything, which is part of what makes it so special.
Between the...
Shelter Cove
I visited Fern Canyon when I was a kid, and all these years later I still remember how magical it felt. 🌿✨ Walking between the tall canyon walls completely covered in green ferns felt like stepping into a fairy tale. It’s lush, peaceful and unlike a...
Fern Canyon
I hiked through the Arcata Community Forest years ago, around 2000, and I still remember how beautiful it was. 🌲❤️ Huge redwoods tower above you, the forest floor has these gorgeous reddish tones, and I swear Arcata had some of the freshest air I’ve...
Arcata Community Forest
San Fransisco & Marin must sees!
🌉 Golden Gate Bridge — San Francisco
I’ve driven across the Golden Gate Bridge more times than I can count, and it still feels massive and beautiful every time. Driving across, you get incredible views of the bay and the hills surrounding it, and t...
Golden Gate Bridge
🦭 Pier 39 — San Francisco
Pier 39 is one of my favorite places to visit when I’m in San Francisco. One of the best parts is walking over to the side of the pier to see all the sea lions lounging around, barking and sometimes climbing all over each ...
PIER 39
🦭 Larkspur Ferry — San Francisco Bay
The Larkspur Ferry is one of my favorite ways to enjoy San Francisco Bay. The ride from Larkspur to San Francisco offers beautiful views of the water, the Golden Gate Bridge and the surrounding shoreline. I coul...
Larkspur Ferry Terminal
.Located right on the Pier 39 waterfront in San Francisco, Aquarium of the Bay is a fun stop for both kids and adults. My favorite part is walking through the underwater tunnels while sharks, rays, and huge schools of fish swim all around you. You ca...
Aquarium of the Bay
Located in Golden Gate Park, the California Academy of Sciences is one of my favorite San Francisco attractions and a must-see, especially with kids. You can visit the aquarium, planetarium, natural history museum, and an incredible indoor rainforest...
California Academy of Sciences