The Golden State is the place to be for some of the best day trips in Northern California. We have cool cities, quaint towns, wineries, orchards, beaches, and beautiful scenery. If it is variety you crave, drive anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours to find yourself in a completely different climate, with amazing new discoveries. This is an awesome and magical place. So next weekend, when you are sitting around with nothing to do, hop in the car, on a bicycle, or on a motorcycle, or whatever gets you around, and take one of these amazing day trips in Northern California.

1. Tour Gold Country
Ciera Lagges/Flickr
Gold Country, CA, USA
James Gaither/Flickr
As you are going through, stop to hike or walk through the charming small towns throughout the gold country region of Northern California. You will have the time of your life. The people are friendly, the towns themselves have plenty of Old West and rural character, and the scenery is lovely. Don't know where to start? For Gold Country 101, drive up Highway 50 to Placerville, then cut North on the windy but scenic Highway 49. It will take you through the towns of Coloma and Cool before bringing you to Auburn. You can toodle around there before hopping on Highway 80 to head home. Enjoy one of the best day trips in Northern California.

Head to California's Gold Country in this video from April Chu as she shows off some of the best places to visit in Northern California:
2. Take a Walk Among the Redwoods
Mini OzzY/Flickr
Redwood National Park - Kuechel Visitor Center, California 95570, USA
Nick/Flickr
If you make up to the Redwood State and National Parks in Humboldt County or explore some of the groves farther south, walking among these graceful giants is an absolute must, and one of the most unique things to do around Northern Californian.
3. Visit Sutter's Fort and Historic Old Sac
Prayitno/Flickr
Sutter's Fort State Historic Park, 2701 L St, Sacramento, CA 95816, USA
Kent Kanouse/Flickr
Our state's capital is a really interesting mix of old and new if you know where to go. Old Town Sac hasn't changed much since the Gold Rush, and at the Sutter's Fort State Park there are living history reenactments and other family-friendly activities.
4. Go For A Hike...Anywhere!
Angela Sevin/Flickr
mlhradio/Flickr
These hikes offer some of the best day trips near me in Northern California. Whether you like to bag the highest peaks or walk the forested trails, there are about a million places you can get out and about in Northern California.
5. Get Lunch and Listen to Music in Nevada City
Darin Barry/Flickr
Nevada City, CA 95959, USA
Melanie/Flickr
This historic Gold Rush town is known for its fine dining and small town charm, but did you know that it also has an up-and-coming music scene? Especially if you like bluegrass music with a lot of twang, you will be impressed with all this town has to offer. Put on your dancing shoes and escape to one of the best getaway spots near me.
6. See Volcanic Activity at Lassen Volcanic National Park
Madhan Kumar/Flickr
Lassen Volcanic National Park, California, USA
National Park Service/Wikimedia Commons
There's no need to drive all the way to Yellowstone to see an amazing national park with thermal geysers and other interesting features. We have one right here in Northern California, and it's one of the coolest places you will ever visit.

Take a day trip to Lassen Volcanic National Park in this video from California Through My Lens. If you are looking for day trips from Redding California this is perfect as it is only about 50 minutes east of Redding:
7. Dine At a Waterfront Restaurant
View 202/Facebook
202 Hemsted Dr, Redding, CA 96002, USA
View 202/Facebook
There are hundreds of amazing Northern California waterfront restaurants that you should definitely check out if you like dining with a view. We would like to suggest View 202 in Redding, which overlooks the Sacramento River and is just breathtaking at sunset.
8. Rent a Kayak and Paddle in an Alpine Lake
Daniela/Flickr

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South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150, USA
m01229/Flickr
Paddling on the lake on a bright, sunny day is an experience not to be missed. We like Lake Tahoe for the ease of rentals, and because it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Northern California. But there are tons of amazing lakes in the mountains where you can find a little more solitude for your paddle.
9. Pick Apples and Pumpkins at Apple Hill
Apple Hill | High Hill Ranch, 2901 High Hill Rd, Placerville, CA 95667, USA
RobVSF/Flickr
Apple Hills Farms, Farms in Placerville & Pollock Pines, CA 95709
Apple Hill/Facebook
Apple Hill is a network of farms located in Camino, which is on the Highway 50 corridor just east of Placerville. Get your farm-fresh produce right from the source here. There are also several wineries and even a brewery or two to stop into and wet your whistle. This vibrant farming community is like no where else in Northern California.
10. Walk on Mendocino Beaches
Aaron Logan/Flickr
Mendocino, CA, USA
John Fowler/Flickr
The Northern California coastline is a must-see. Take in the dramatic views from atop the majestic cliffs or explore the tidepools and interesting rock formations on the beaches below.
11. Eat Northern California Artisan Cheese
Pennyroyal Farm/Facebook
Pennyroyal Farm, 14930 CA-128, Boonville, CA 95415, USA
Pennyroyal Farm/Facebook
Penny Royal Farm is another really interesting experience that you can only have here in this region of the country. Stop in at this vineyard and farmstead creamery, featuring goat and sheep milk cheese, wines, and farm fare, prepared in the estate kitchen. Visit the goats, while you learn a lot about the process, and go away with a cheese lover's high.
12. Go Wine Tasting in Amador County
Lee Coursey/Flickr
Amador County, CA, USA
star5112/Flickr
Amador County is one of the regions in Northern California that you don't hear a ton about...except for when it comes to their wine! These people are producing some of the finest vintages around.
13. Explore An Abandoned Ruin
mlhradio/Flickr
El Dorado Mine, California 96033, USA
mlhradio/Flickr
With the interesting Gold Rush, logging, and railroad history of Northern California, we have a lot of old ghost towns and places to explore. These photos are of some old, abandoned structures from the Tower House Historic District in Shasta County at the El Dorado Mine.
14. Go See Burney Falls
Miles Sabin/Flickr
Burney Falls, California 96013, USA
Amit Patel/Flickr
If you haven't yet visited these incredible falls, book a trip today! They are majestic and one of the crowning highlights of Northern California, which is saying a lot. We have some pretty spectacular places to choose from.

Check out the beautiful Burney Falls east of Redding, CA in this video from California Through My Lens:
15. Discover Your Own Backyard
Josh Gray/Flickr
Susan Stienstra/Flickr
Chances are that if you live in Northern California, there is something worth discovering right out your back door. Get outside and appreciate it, then share your experiences with everyone!

What are your favorite activities or destinations from this list? Be sure to share your favorite day trips in Northern California with a comment! For more Northern California adventure and travel ideas, we think you might enjoy this road trip through  Northern California’s most picturesque small towns.

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More Day Trips In Northern California

Carolyn Harmon | June 23, 2022

Where are the best waterfront restaurants in Northern California?

A few of the best waterfront restaurants in Northern California include:

 

Nick’s Cove Restaurant and Oyster Bar, located on California State Route 1 in Marshall, California, serves award-winning cuisine along one of the most gorgeous coastal settings in the state. Located on the West Marin coast, this unique restaurant serves an abundance of farm-fresh seasonal and locally-delicious California cuisine. The menu offers entrees using products of local dairy and produce farmers and fresh seafood from Tomales Bay and nearby waters. Try the crab macaroni and cheese or sample some of the locally-harvested oysters.

Where is another one of the best day trips in Northern California?

If you are looking for day trips near you in Northern California try Preston Castle. A trip to Preston Castle is an interesting destination, especially for those loving history. Constructed in 1894, the castle was the administration building for the Preston School of Industry, which was a reform school for boys made to look like a school instead of a prison, with its Romanesque Revival style of architecture. In 1960 the school closed with the state's plan to demolish the building. For the next eight years, a group of local women fought to prevent the demolition. The building and about 13 acres, is now owned by the Preston Castle Foundation, which is working to preserve its history. Public tours are available, especially near Halloween, with the Preston Castle Haunt.

What is another one of the most unique things to do around Northern California?

The Cypress Tree Tunnel at Point Reyes National Seashore is one of the best getaway spots near me. Point Reyes National Seashore is an expansive and protected coastline in Marin County of Northern California. The National Seashore has identified 12 historic cultural landscapes that are being evaluated and documented, following the guidelines of the National Register of Historic Places. The Cypress Tree Tunnel is one of those historic landscapes. The Monterey cypress, planted around 1930, create the tree tunnel leading to the Point Reyes Maritime Radio Receiving Station.

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