15-03-2025
5 Underrated Places To Visit In Northern California
California. I bet images of warm LA beaches, blue skies, palm trees and sunscreen pop into your head. I love that part of California, but the state is much, much more than Southern California.
Come North and you'll find mountains, rugged coastlines, charming villages, Redwoods and some of the best wine in the world. These are my top 5 Underrated Places To Visit In Northern California to put on your bucket list!
Tucked North of Mt. Tam is Tamales Bay, most famous for hiking trails and fresh oysters. We love coming up here for a digital detxo weekend. We'll spend the night in Olema House and go hiking in Point Reyes or visit the lighthouse.
For lunch we beeline over to Hog Island Oyster Company picnic area, where you can shuck and grill your own oysters outside next to the bay. On a sunny and warm day, this is pure heaven.
We'll follow it with a mead tasting at Heidrun Meadery. And, if we time a visit right, we'll go on a Bioluminescence tour.
Tucked up in the Sierras Nevadas is Calaveras County, a true hidden gem that many Californians have never heard of, but is worth a visit.
The area is known for a failed gold rush, wine tasting, stunning Giant Sequoias, beautiful caverns, alpine lakes, hiking trails, skiing and frogs. Yes, frogs. It's a whole thing.
We'll spend the weekend at Whimsy Homes cabin and go hiking at Big Trees State Park, spend a few hours being lazy at the White Pines lake, and then wine taste in downtown Murphys. In the evening maybe go line dancing at a local general store or catch live music at The Lube Room before settling into the hot tub at the cabin.
There's always something fun happening up here in the mountains, plus it's just 2.5 hours from the Bay Area.
Just a short drive south of San Francisco, the Santa Cruz Mountains offer a blend of natural wonders and quirky attractions. We always love a visit to the Mystery Spot, where gravity seems to take a vacation – it's a fun and mind-bending experience that everyone needs to experience at least once.
A morning hike at Land of Medicine Buddha, a serene retreat nestled in the hills, is a must and then we'll pop down to Capitola Village for lunch. With its colorful Venetian-style houses lining the beach, aka the perfect for a leisurely stroll and some seaside dining.
There's a lot of fun Airbnbs in the Santa Cruz Mountains, recently we spent a night at a Redwood treehouse that offered panoramic views and a cozy firepit.
Forget Yellowstone; Lassen Volcanic National Park is Northern California's own geothermal playground. This park boasts bubbling mud pots, steaming fumaroles, and crystal-clear lakes, all set against the backdrop of a dormant volcano. We love to camp at Summit Lake Campground, since you can swim in the lake on those hot summer days.
Hike to Bumpass Hell to witness the park's most active geothermal area, or take a scenic drive along the park's highway, stopping at overlooks for stunning views. The true test of fitness is a hike up their Cinder Cone which features a view of the famous Lava Beds. Don't be fooled by this hike, it's not for the weak and left us panting but the view was incredible.
Lassen is a true hidden gem for nature lovers and adventure seekers.
Deep in the Eastern Sierras is June Lake, a picturesque alpine village that offers year-round adventures and alpine lake access. In the fall, the surrounding aspen groves turn a brilliant golden yellow, creating a stunning display of color, and is one of my favorite places in California to find fall colors.
We start our trips to June Lake with breakfast at Silver Lake Resort, then head off into nature. There's lake activities like kayaking, paddleboarding, and fishing, or explore the numerous hiking trails that wind through the mountains. After a day of outdoor fun, we like to unwind at June Lake Brewing, a local brewery to sample some craft beers before grabbing pizza at June Pie Pizza Co.
And for a unique side trip, visit nearby Mono Lake, an otherworldly saline lake with tufa towers that rise from its surface. June Lake is a perfect escape for those seeking natural beauty and a laid-back mountain vibe.
