Northern California Hiking Trails.
Mount Tamalpais, located north of the San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge has hiking and biking trails, groves of redwood trees and stands of oak. When the weather cooperates, you can see from the peak of Mt. Tam to the hills of Marin, the city of San Francisco, and even the Farallon Islands. On a foggy day, you won't see much, but you'll be enveloped in a cool mist and a fragrant wind as you walk the trail down the mountain.
For less strenuous Northern California hiking trails, go hiking at the Presidio. Once the largest Army base on the coast, the Presidio reverted back to the public and now combines residential areas, gyms and technology industry in a lush, park-like setting. Eucalyptus trees create shade and a spicy sweet aroma, and there are flowers and blackberries to enjoy. Visit the Arts & Crafts style officer's club and watch people flying kites and playing Frisbee along the waterfront.
The California redwoods stretch from Sonoma County through Humboldt County, the location of the largest redwood forest in the world. Late spring is an ideal time to visit the redwoods, when soft rain falls while you walk under the shelter of the giant trees. The ground is soft with hundreds of years of redwood leaves—technically, redwoods have leaves, not needles—and alongside the paths grow ferns, wood sorrel and trillium. Aside from delighting amateur botanists, the redwood forests are known for being hushed and cool even on the hottest days. On cool days, make sure to bring sweaters and a thermos of something warm to drink.
A small day trip leads to the redwoods in Armstrong Redwoods Park where the hike is short and easy. There's also an amphitheater where summertime productions are sometimes staged. This is a small park, but on a hot summer day, it's a wonderful escape from the heat. Bring drinks and sandwiches to enjoy under the redwoods.
If you're seeking dry heat and light, head for the oak foothills of Mount Diablo. In the earliest spring, the hills are lush with grass and wildflowers, but it soon dries out into golden pastures dotted with oak trees. The hiking can be as easy or as strenuous as you like: you can tailor hikes among the several trails, either leading over the hills or making a shorter loop. You'll see hawks hunting overhead and maybe a couple of snakes sunning themselves on the trails. Cattle are still pastured in the surrounding area, but they're placid and don't mind company.
Exploration can take so many forms in Northern California. Travel up to Fort Ross to see the Russian church and fort originally built in the days when whaling vessels visited the coast. You can hike around the property, visit the restored buildings, and walk the foggy lane that runs to the sea. There's even camping on a first come, first served basis.
Further north, between Santa Rosa and Eureka, you can find the Smithe Redwoods Reserve, which features a 60-foot waterfall, along with swimming and fishing in the south fork of the Eel River. And if you drive north of Eureka, on the way to Crescent City along 101, you will come to the Tule Elk Reserve, where hundreds of elk graze on the lush marshland of the north coast. Stop in Arcata first, to lunch in one of the regions finest restaurants.
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