When was the last time you went on a day trip right here in Northern California? There are so many quick trips to take that will barely make a dent in your bank account.
- Shasta Lake
Flickr/ psyberartist Located smack dab in the middle of Northern California, Shasta Lake is an amazing place for recreation on all levels. Go out for lunch along the lake at the Old Mill Eatery & Smokehouse, take a walk along the shore, rent paddle boasts and get out on the water. Check out the Bridge Bay and Digger Bay Marinas to watch the houseboats come and go.
- Apple Hill
Flickr/ Mitch Lorens The name Apple Hill refers to the 55 ranches located in the Sierra Mountain foothills in El Dorado County near Camino. It’s a great place to visit when you are craving the country. Buy homegrown apples, try yummy apple donuts, and sip local wine. It’s a place with plenty of family fun.
- Bidwell Park
Flickr/ Rogan Derrick Located in Chico, Bidwell Park is one of the largest urban parks in the US. It’s 3,670 acres and nearly 11 miles large. Spots to check out include the Sycamore Pool, Horseshoe Lake and Cedar Grove.
- Healdsburg
Flickr/ Prayitno Continuously awarded one of the top 10 smallest towns in America, this quaint little town is a must see for all Northern Californians and offers great places to eat and shop.
- Amador County
Flickr/ Lucy Crabapple This rural region is a booming tourist area, thanks to the fine wine and gold rush history that puts it on the map. Visit the cute town of Sutter Creek or taste wine in the Shenandoah Valley.
- The Jelly Belly Factory
Flickr/ Did you know that the Jelly Belly factory is located right here in Northern California and provides tours of the facility for the whole family? It’s especially fun for kids and the Jelly Bellies that don’t look as perfect as the ones you see in the store are sold at a discount. Pack up the family and head on over to the Fairfield location.
- Empire State Mine
Flickr/ Ray Bouknight Not only does this state park have a historic mine to explore, there’s also a an old fashioned “cottage” that is really a mansion and the original offices and other structures that oversaw day to day operations. You can tour it all and it’s like taking a step back in time.
- Sonoma
Flickr/ Marit & Toomas Hinnosaar The town of Sonoma is another fun one to walk around in. There’s shops, impeccable food options, and friendly people to meet. It’s also home to the Sonoma International Film Festival and has a great arts scene.
- Emerald Bay
Flickr/ Christian Arballo This iconic park along Lake Tahoe will take your breath away. It’s famous for being the location of Vikingsholm, a castle built here in the 1920s. It’s a popular place to get a perfect shot of the lake if you are a photographer.
- Point Reyes
Flickr/ darwin cruz Point Reyes National Seashore is a one of a kind place and very easy to get to from most of Northern California. Visit the lighthouse, walk the coastal trails, see the mellow cows, or just simply relax and take in the view.
Where are your favorite places to go for a quick afternoon or weekend trip? Be sure to share them with us! For more Northern California travel, check out 13 Incredible Trips In Northern California That Will Change Your Life.
Flickr/ psyberartist
Located smack dab in the middle of Northern California, Shasta Lake is an amazing place for recreation on all levels. Go out for lunch along the lake at the Old Mill Eatery & Smokehouse, take a walk along the shore, rent paddle boasts and get out on the water. Check out the Bridge Bay and Digger Bay Marinas to watch the houseboats come and go.
Flickr/ Mitch Lorens
The name Apple Hill refers to the 55 ranches located in the Sierra Mountain foothills in El Dorado County near Camino. It’s a great place to visit when you are craving the country. Buy homegrown apples, try yummy apple donuts, and sip local wine. It’s a place with plenty of family fun.
Flickr/ Rogan Derrick
Located in Chico, Bidwell Park is one of the largest urban parks in the US. It’s 3,670 acres and nearly 11 miles large. Spots to check out include the Sycamore Pool, Horseshoe Lake and Cedar Grove.
Flickr/ Prayitno
Continuously awarded one of the top 10 smallest towns in America, this quaint little town is a must see for all Northern Californians and offers great places to eat and shop.
Flickr/ Lucy Crabapple
This rural region is a booming tourist area, thanks to the fine wine and gold rush history that puts it on the map. Visit the cute town of Sutter Creek or taste wine in the Shenandoah Valley.
Flickr/
Did you know that the Jelly Belly factory is located right here in Northern California and provides tours of the facility for the whole family? It’s especially fun for kids and the Jelly Bellies that don’t look as perfect as the ones you see in the store are sold at a discount. Pack up the family and head on over to the Fairfield location.
Flickr/ Ray Bouknight
Not only does this state park have a historic mine to explore, there’s also a an old fashioned “cottage” that is really a mansion and the original offices and other structures that oversaw day to day operations. You can tour it all and it’s like taking a step back in time.
Flickr/ Marit & Toomas Hinnosaar
The town of Sonoma is another fun one to walk around in. There’s shops, impeccable food options, and friendly people to meet. It’s also home to the Sonoma International Film Festival and has a great arts scene.
Flickr/ Christian Arballo
This iconic park along Lake Tahoe will take your breath away. It’s famous for being the location of Vikingsholm, a castle built here in the 1920s. It’s a popular place to get a perfect shot of the lake if you are a photographer.
Flickr/ darwin cruz
Point Reyes National Seashore is a one of a kind place and very easy to get to from most of Northern California. Visit the lighthouse, walk the coastal trails, see the mellow cows, or just simply relax and take in the view.
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