There are so many amazing things to do in Northern California, but did you know that some of the best things cost nothing at all? Here’s a list of some legitimately fun things that will get you out and about but won’t cost a thing.
- Take a walk at the Point Reyes National Seashore
Wikimedia/ User:Miguel.v
Flickr/ Dennis Jarvis This 71,028-acre park preserve is located on the Point Reyes Peninsula in Marin County, California. It’s maintained by the National Park service and is free of charge!
- Visit Petroglyph Point
Wikimedia/ Adam Baker Located in Lava Beds National Monument, these prehistoric images are usually in an area that you need to pay admission fees to access. There are a few free days throughout the year, however, such as Martin Luther King Jr. Day in January, National Park Week in April, National Park Service Birthday Weekend in August, National Public Lands Day in September, Veteran’s Day in November.
- Walk across the Sundial Bridge in Redding
Wikimedia/ David Weekly This beautiful bridge crosses the Sacramento River in the heart of Redding, California. It’s a great place for pedestrians to take in the beauty of the surrounding Turtle Bay.
- Tour the fish hatchery in Eastern Sacramento County
Flickr/ California Department of Fish and Wildlife Located near Folsom, CA, the Nimbus Fish Hatchery Chinook salmon and steelhead for release to the American River. The Nimbus Hatchery Visitor Center offers fun and educational activities for children and adults of all ages.
- Watch the Sunset over the Pacific
Flickr/ Bureau of Land Management There are tons of public beaches in Northern California where you can pull off to the side of the road and take in the view as the sun slips slowly below the horizon.
- Trace the larger rivers back to where they flow in the mountains
Flickr/ Bureau of Land Management There’s plenty of hiking and exploring to be had if you research where the larger rivers that flow through the lower elevations of Northern California begin. Pictured here is the North Fork of the American River way up high in the Sierra Nevada.
- Hunt for Wildflowers
Flickr/ Bureau of Land Management Every year in the spring time, California is lush and verdant before the heat of summer sets in. This photo was taken in gold country.
- Play in and Admire the Cornerstone Gardens
Cornerstone Sonoma/ Mario Schjetnan These interesting and unique gardens in Sonoma are a celebration of modern architechture and landscape design. They are a truly magnificent showcase of these artist’s talents.
- Learn about Early Californians at the Trees of Mystery Museum
Trees of Mystery This free museum in the Redwoods is dedicated to showcasing the lost arts and interesting artifacts of Native Americans. You’ll be amazed by the ingenuity and designs to be found here.
- Attend a festival in McCloud
McCloud Chamber This quaint town near Mt. Shasta has a festival for everyone in the family! Pictured here is the Annual Lumberjack Fiesta, but other popular events include Bike-toberfest, McCloud Mountain Bluegrass, the Apple Harvest Festival, the Annual Dog, Pony and Bike Parade, and the Annual Mushroom Festival, just to name a few!
What are your favorite local spots you can enjoy without paying a thing? Share your ideas with us on Facebook!
Wikimedia/ User:Miguel.v
Flickr/ Dennis Jarvis
This 71,028-acre park preserve is located on the Point Reyes Peninsula in Marin County, California. It’s maintained by the National Park service and is free of charge!
Wikimedia/ Adam Baker
Located in Lava Beds National Monument, these prehistoric images are usually in an area that you need to pay admission fees to access. There are a few free days throughout the year, however, such as Martin Luther King Jr. Day in January, National Park Week in April, National Park Service Birthday Weekend in August, National Public Lands Day in September, Veteran’s Day in November.
Wikimedia/ David Weekly
This beautiful bridge crosses the Sacramento River in the heart of Redding, California. It’s a great place for pedestrians to take in the beauty of the surrounding Turtle Bay.
Flickr/ California Department of Fish and Wildlife
Located near Folsom, CA, the Nimbus Fish Hatchery Chinook salmon and steelhead for release to the American River. The Nimbus Hatchery Visitor Center offers fun and educational activities for children and adults of all ages.
Flickr/ Bureau of Land Management
There are tons of public beaches in Northern California where you can pull off to the side of the road and take in the view as the sun slips slowly below the horizon.
There’s plenty of hiking and exploring to be had if you research where the larger rivers that flow through the lower elevations of Northern California begin. Pictured here is the North Fork of the American River way up high in the Sierra Nevada.
Every year in the spring time, California is lush and verdant before the heat of summer sets in. This photo was taken in gold country.
Cornerstone Sonoma/ Mario Schjetnan
These interesting and unique gardens in Sonoma are a celebration of modern architechture and landscape design. They are a truly magnificent showcase of these artist’s talents.
Trees of Mystery
This free museum in the Redwoods is dedicated to showcasing the lost arts and interesting artifacts of Native Americans. You’ll be amazed by the ingenuity and designs to be found here.
McCloud Chamber
This quaint town near Mt. Shasta has a festival for everyone in the family! Pictured here is the Annual Lumberjack Fiesta, but other popular events include Bike-toberfest, McCloud Mountain Bluegrass, the Apple Harvest Festival, the Annual Dog, Pony and Bike Parade, and the Annual Mushroom Festival, just to name a few!
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