San Francisco is the largest city in Northern California.
If you ask a Californian to tell you the difference between northern California and southern California, he may tell you that that they are like two different states. He might even say they are two different countries, given their regional and cultural differences. In Northern California, visitors will find the state capital, the storied, romantic city of San Francisco, giant redwood trees, copious vats of wine and a climate more in line with the Pacific Northwest than that of the southwest or southern California.
Haight-Ashbury
Haight-Ashbury is in the northern part of San Francisco.
Haight-Ashbury is the motherland for the hippie culture that was born out of the turbulent 1960s. "Make love, not war," was the slogan of a generation disenchanted by their parents' choices and the war raging in Vietnam, and nowhere was it more prevalent than in the Haight. A stroll through the hilly streets lined with Victorian homes and businesses gives you a glimpse into the flower-power past with its eclectic shops, burrito stands and numerous places to get tattooed or pierced. For a full-frontal hippie experience, don't forget to take a photo of the sign at the corner of Haight and Ashbury and check out the Grateful Dead house at 710 Ashbury St.
Muir Woods National Monument
The redwood trees are some of the world's tallest.
Tree huggers unite at the Muir Woods National monument in Mill Valley, California. Just 12 miles north of San Francisco is a 559-acre area that has protected the antiquated growth of the Coast Redwood tree since 1908. This coastal monument is open only for day-trippers as camping is not allowed. Hiking is a primary activity here and if you are feeling philanthropic, consider volunteering to clean the beaches of debris. If you've brought the whole family, ask a bystander to take the classic Muir Woods photo of all of you trying to reach fully around the base of a tree, holding hands with arms outstretched. In 2011, entrance fees are waived on the following days: January 15-17,Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday; April 16-24, National Park Week; June 21, first day of summer; September 24, Public Lands Day; November 11, Veterans Day. Otherwise, the entrance fee is just $5 per adult and children 15 years of age and under are free.
Hope Valley
Cross-country skiing can burn approximately 500 calories per hour.
If you miss outdoor exercise when winter weather rolls around, Hope Valley is a good solution. Located in South Lake Tahoe, cross-country skiers or snowshoe enthusiasts can get their endorphin fix and take advantage of the 60 miles of marked trails that are free to the public. Typically open Thanksgiving to Easter when enough snow allows, Hope Valley is nestled in the High Sierras among beautiful aspens and not far from where the Donner Party tragedy happened in the mid 1800s. Onsite is a yurt where visitors can purchase lessons or rent equipment and donations are warmly accepted.
Redding Sundial Bridge
About two hours south of the Oregon border is the Redding sundial bridge--one of two U.S. bridges designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava. This cable-stayed bridge is not only designed for pedestrians to cross the Sacramento River, at one end a 217-foot-high sundial points due north and accurately tells time, with the shadow moving approximately one foot per minute. Pedestrians cross the 700-foot-long bridge to get exercise and to enjoy the view of the river below through the glass walkway.
Tags: Hope Valley, Muir Woods, Muir Woods National, Northern California, redwood trees
