Neck and shoulders feeling tight? Northern Californians are known for working hard and playing harder. But, what about taking time to sit back and relax? When was the last time you did that? If you can’t even remember when you’ve enjoyed a cold drink in a soft chair, then have we got some places for you! Take a peek at what we’ve uncovered, then mark your calendar and enjoy a little R&R. Let your boss know you’re not coming in tomorrow. Tell him we said so.
Here are nine secret spots that will completely relax you. We promise!
- Muir Woods
flickr/jason jenkins Peace and tranquility reign supreme here. An oasis of ferns and the odiferous scent of eucalyptus capture your senses from the moment you step beneath the canopy of the king-sized Redwoods.
- Healdsburg
flickr/james gentry Nature is sometimes just as close as your front door. Take a walk on a long dirt road. Ride your bike to the nearest park, or just sit alongside a barn like this and meditate on the history here. Beautiful.
- Burney Falls
flickr/w. tipton About an hour outside of Redding you’ll find the town of McCloud. Mount Shasta helps point the way, where there are waterfalls galore. This would be the middle Burney Falls - 100 million gallons of water dump over the side daily from its 129-foot drop.
- Half Moon Bay
flickr/images by john K Northern California beaches are known to be a bit chilly. But there’s nothing more relaxing than grabbing your favorite beach chair and bringing your hooded sweatshirt for some instant relaxation.
- Sunol
flickr/marc Sunol Regional Park is spectacular this time of year. Relax with your favorite book or spread out a blanket for a hillside picnic. Feeling brave? Run around and sing your best rendition of your favorite Julie Andrews song.
- Yosemite
flickr/mari wirta Find your way to Yosemite and you’ll be just fine. Nature shows off in this part of our world. There are thousands of spots to get lost in a secret place all your own here. I double-dog dare you not to leave completely refreshed and relaxed.
- Highway 50
flickr/kunal muckherjee Nature can be enjoyed from your car, too. Hop in and head up Highway 50. Stop in Placerville and grab lunch with your honey before driving around mountain peaks and alongside rushing creeks. Head eastbound 50 for about 90 minutes until you get here….
- Lake Tahoe
flickr/giseppe milo First discovered in 1844 by John Fremont, he never knew he’d stumbled upon the second deepest lake in the USA at 1,645 feet! If resting awhile alongside this spectacular lake is not your cup of tea, then maybe kayaking along the smooth waters is just what the doctor ordered.
- Hedge Creek Falls
flickr/ride to dine Just outside of Dunsmuir, these falls are only 30 feet high. The kids can play beneath it or run behind it while you relax on the beach. Bring your lunch to enjoy at the top of the falls. No one worries when they discover this secret hideaway.
We know a lot of these places may seem too big to enjoy alone, but you couldn’t be more wrong. Share below all the secret spots in Northern California that relax you completely!
flickr/jason jenkins
Peace and tranquility reign supreme here. An oasis of ferns and the odiferous scent of eucalyptus capture your senses from the moment you step beneath the canopy of the king-sized Redwoods.
flickr/james gentry
Nature is sometimes just as close as your front door. Take a walk on a long dirt road. Ride your bike to the nearest park, or just sit alongside a barn like this and meditate on the history here. Beautiful.
flickr/w. tipton
About an hour outside of Redding you’ll find the town of McCloud. Mount Shasta helps point the way, where there are waterfalls galore. This would be the middle Burney Falls - 100 million gallons of water dump over the side daily from its 129-foot drop.
flickr/images by john K
Northern California beaches are known to be a bit chilly. But there’s nothing more relaxing than grabbing your favorite beach chair and bringing your hooded sweatshirt for some instant relaxation.
flickr/marc
Sunol Regional Park is spectacular this time of year. Relax with your favorite book or spread out a blanket for a hillside picnic. Feeling brave? Run around and sing your best rendition of your favorite Julie Andrews song.
flickr/mari wirta
Find your way to Yosemite and you’ll be just fine. Nature shows off in this part of our world. There are thousands of spots to get lost in a secret place all your own here. I double-dog dare you not to leave completely refreshed and relaxed.
flickr/kunal muckherjee
Nature can be enjoyed from your car, too. Hop in and head up Highway 50. Stop in Placerville and grab lunch with your honey before driving around mountain peaks and alongside rushing creeks. Head eastbound 50 for about 90 minutes until you get here….
flickr/giseppe milo
First discovered in 1844 by John Fremont, he never knew he’d stumbled upon the second deepest lake in the USA at 1,645 feet! If resting awhile alongside this spectacular lake is not your cup of tea, then maybe kayaking along the smooth waters is just what the doctor ordered.
flickr/ride to dine
Just outside of Dunsmuir, these falls are only 30 feet high. The kids can play beneath it or run behind it while you relax on the beach. Bring your lunch to enjoy at the top of the falls. No one worries when they discover this secret hideaway.
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