Hiking

Category

Why Muir Woods is Overrated, and Where You Should Go Instead

As an avid hiker in the Bay Area, I hear about lots of parks and preserves that are life changing!  Incredible!  Amazing!  Now, sometimes they live up to the hype, and sometimes they don’t, but I like finding awesome new outdoor spots, so I try to check out these incredible destinations.  One place that I’d been hearing about for years, but had never visited, was Muir Woods National Monument. Muir Woods is a national monument just north of San Francisco...

Montara State Beach: Hiking The North Peak Loop

The hike to the North Peak of Montara Mountain has been on my list of hikes to do for a few years.  This oceanside summit looked to offer wide open ocean views throughout, and I was pretty excited to finally try it!  At only 7 miles and under 2,000 feet of climbing, this moderate trail is an excellent option if you’re looking for ocean views within a short distance of San Francisco! Plus, how often do you get a summit...

Hiking The Best Trail in Andrew Molera State Park

During my October week off, I was taking day trips to the best hiking spots I knew of in the Bay Area and beyond.  Luckily for me, the incredible Big Sur is an easy day trip, and I had to head back down!  The place I decided to go was Andrew Molera State Park.  I’ve been here multiple times before, and the short Creamery Meadows Trail is one of my favorite easy hikes in Big Sur, but I had never...

Trip Report: Long Ridge Open Space Preserve

On a warm August day, Loralei and I were looking for a short, moderately strenuous hike not far from San Jose.  We had stuff to do, it was hot, and honestly didn’t feel like suffering in the heat!  The trail we decided on was in Long Ridge Open Space Preserve. Located outside San Jose in the Santa Cruz Mountains, Long Ridge offers wide sweeping views, ridgetop meadows, and plenty of forest.  It fit the bill perfectly for what we were...

Hiking The Land Of Medicine Buddha Loop

On a late summer day, Loralei and I set out to do a hike that neither of us had done, and was a little different than most trails you’ll find! Starting at a Buddhist retreat called the Land of Medicine Buddha, this trail is definitely different than most hikes you’ll find! The trail itself was the Medicine Buddha Loop outside Santa Cruz CA, and it’s pretty unique.  The name might give it away, but there’s a pretty predominant Buddha theme...