Take This Hidden Gems Road Trip When You Want To See Some Little-Known Places In Northern California
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Emerson
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The great thing about exploring Northern California is that you’re always bound to come across some hidden gems. There’s just so much to see across our incredible landscape that it’s practically impossible to see everything NorCal has to offer. However, we sure can try! This road trip takes you to six hidden gem destinations in our area, featuring everything from otherworldly caves to tucked-away beaches and forests. Set aside a weekend to tackle this road trip and explore some of the lesser-known beauty in our amazing state.
Feel free to veer off course when you feel like it or skip to the places you personally want to see most! Click HERE to view the interactive Google Map.
It's a short and sweet hike down to the waterfall. The trail is gradual and packed with beauty, making it the perfect mini-adventure for families. The actual waterfall plunges about 30-feet into a small pool at its base. Hikers particularly enjoy exploring the cave behind the falls - the same cave that bank robbers used to hide in the 1870s! Read more about this gorgeous destination and how to find it here.
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When you visit the caverns, you're actually experiencing three adventures in one, as it includes a scenic catamaran cruise across the lake, a bus ride to the cave entrance, and of course, the cavern itself. Walking through the caverns, you'll find yourself surrounded by bizarre formations, like stalactites and stalagmites. You can visit eight rooms in total inside of the caverns, each of which boasts its own unique variety of limestone cave features. Learn more about the Shasta Caverns and what to expect during your visit here.
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From Glass Beach to Mckerricher State Park, Fort Bragg visitors will find plenty of gorgeous places to explore along this section of the coast. In town, you could spend an entire day visiting shops, galleries, restaurants, and more. On your way out of town, be sure to stop by the Point Cabrillo Lighthouse! Learn more about how to spend a day in Fort Bragg here.
Located right along the Navarro River, Hendy Woods is a smaller redwoods park that's home to two redwood groves. An interconnected network of trails makes it easy to take a walk through the redwoods for as long or as little as you'd like. Often overlooked for more popular destinations, Hendy Woods boasts pure tranquility underneath the canopy of redwood trees. Learn more about this idyllic redwoods park here.
Visit the Petrified Forest and you can take a walk back to 3.4 million years ago. The forest is unique for the fact that its trees became petrified due to a volcanic eruption. Now, the trees resemble something like stone. This forest is truly one-of-a-kind...and it's hiding in wine country! Learn more about the Petrified Forest and its unique sights here.
Tucked away from view by giant cliffsides, Gray Whale Cove is a secluded paradise near Half Moon Bay. After descending a steep staircase, you'll find yourself at a pristine white sand beach where the water is a magical color of blue. It's a great place for a picnic lunch while enjoying the ocean views. Read all about Gray Whale Cove here and plan your visit soon.
What do you think? Are you ready to hit the road and explore these NorCal hidden gems? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
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