Northern California is not lacking when it comes to mountains and mountain ranges. Created by the shifting of the earth’s tectonic plates, or volcanic activity, a mountain is a glorious natural phenomenon. To those of us who live in their shadows or play on their slopes, these mountains are as much a part of our home backdrop as the Pacific Ocean. Here are some epic NorCal mountains that will drop your jaw.

1. Siskiyou Mountains
Siskiyou Mountains, California 96039, USA
Jen R/Flickr
The Siskiyou Mountains are a part of the Klamath mountain range. While they're definitely not one of the tallest, the do have a peak of 7,536 feet. The west side of these mountains is nearest to the Pacific Ocean, which brings a lot more rain. An average of 100 inches of rain falls each year in the canyons of the Siskiyou. Pretty impressive, eh?
2. Mount Lassen or Lassen Peak
Mount Lassen, California, USA
R3li3nt/Flickr
Did you know this is our very own volcano? At 10,457 feet, it erupted on May 22, 1915. The explosion was so powerful it blew its ash more than 200 miles east. Mount St. Helens and Mount Lassen are the only two volcanoes in America to have erupted in the 20th century.
3. Mount Shasta
Mount Shasta, Mt Shasta, CA 96067, USA
Aleta Rodriguez/Flickr
Mount Shasta is a "potentially" active volcano and stands tall at a whopping 14,179 feet. Which puts this gorgeous white mountain in 5th place for tallest in the state.

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4. Mount Hamilton
Mount Hamilton, Mt Hamilton, CA 95140, USA
stargazer2020/Flickr
Mount Hamilton is a part of the Diablo mountain range in Santa Clara county. The peak at 4,216 feet is the reason the Lick Observatory is such a favorite with astronomy students. On a clear day you can see Yosemite!
5. Mount Diablo
Mount Diablo, Mt Diablo, California 94598, USA
jdegenhardt/Flickr
This mountain has quite the history to the Native American Miwok and Oholone tribes. They both include Mount Diablo in their creation story of the beginning of the world. Research confirms over 25 different tribes of American Indians called the east bay and surrounding mountain base their home. Speculation about the origin of its name seems to point to a legend of a Spanish soldier chasing and losing three Native American Indians in a thicket on the mountain. Thus, "thicket of devil" became over time Mount Diablo or Devil's Mountain. Thanks for that, Spain.
6. Sierra Nevadas
Sierra Nevada, California, USA
bgwashburn/Flickr
This mountain range is 400 miles by 70 miles. It is home to Lake Tahoe and the first discovery of gold during the Gold Rush. The Sierra Nevadas are kind of a big deal.

Which of these NorCal mountains have you hiked, biked, or climbed? Share your favorite ones with us in the comments!

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NorCal Mountains

Tori Jane | September 29, 2022

What are the most beautiful mountains in NorCal?  

Northern California is already an outrageously beautiful place, but its mountain ranges really are worth traveling from across the world to see. There are numerous beautiful mountain ranges in Northern California, and some of the most beautiful mountains in NorCal we love to revisit time and time again include the 700-mile-long Cascade Range, whose highest point is none other than Mount Rainier itself. It’s one of the largest ranges in North America, and part of it is our very own. Other mountain ranges in NorCal include the Sierra Nevada Range (400 miles long), the California Coast Ranges (also 400 miles long), and the Klamath Mountains (155 miles long).  

What are some of the most beautiful places in NorCal?  

We’re pretty sure every place in Northern California is one of the most beautiful places in NorCal, but we could be biased. Of course, there are some absolutely surreal places worth visiting in the northern half of the state for sure. For example, you can’t miss a trip to Big Sur, which is often thought of as one of the most beautiful places in the United States. And speaking of the most beautiful places in the US, Northern California is also home to Yosemite National Park, the Mendocino National Forest, and, of course, Redwood National Park.  

Which NorCal mountains are worth visiting? 

Honestly? All of ‘em. That might seem like a lazy answer, but it really isn’t; there isn’t anything about any of the NorCal mountain ranges mentioned above that isn’t worth a visit (or ten). The California portion of the Cascades is filled top-to-bottom with astonishingly awe-inspiring landscapes and is a must-see for anyone who enjoys mountain escapes. The Sierra Nevadas are host to countless things to do, see, and experience; Lake Tahoe is a major one, and so is Yosemite Valley. You could probably spend an entire year in the Sierra Nevadas and still not see everything. 

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