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Ideas for a Northern California Near-cation ➡️
California, United States
Travel close-to-home with these great ideas for a near-cation in Northern California.
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1. Gualala, located along the Sonoma Coast
Gualala, CA
Drive time from San Francisco: 3 hours / Drive time from Sacramento: 3.5 hours. Tune out the world in Gualala, a small but sophisticated dot along the windswept Sonoma Coast. Follow the Bonham Trail through a forest of Bishop pines to a wave-whipped pocket cove at Cooks Beach.
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Walk the blufftop trails at Gualala Point Regional Park
42401 CA-1
Gualala, CA
Gualala Point Regional Park is a popular destination for beach-goers, picnickers and whale-watches, yet is rarely crowded. It also features a small campground and 2.9 miles of trails along coastal bluffs.
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Wind down in the cozy, woodsy cottages at St. Orres Fine Dining and Lodging
36601 CA-1
Gualala, CA
Monday:
8:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Tuesday:
8:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Wednesday:
8:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Thursday:
8:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Friday:
8:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Saturday:
8:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Sunday:
8:00 AM – 9:00 PM
On the Northern California Coast, just 3 hours north of San Francisco lies Saint Orres, where you can experience fine dining and lodging while overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
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2. Placerville, in El Dorado County
Placerville, California, United States
Drive time from San Francisco: 2.25 hours / Drive time from Sacramento: 45 minutes.
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Visit an award-winning winery in Placerville
3680 Leisure Ln
Placerville, CA
Monday:
10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday:
10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday:
10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday:
10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday:
10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday:
10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday:
10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
El Dorado County is home to more than 70 award-winning wineries, many just off Highway 50 near Placerville.
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Pick up picnic supplies in downtown Placerville, then bike or hike a stretch of the 30-mile El Dorado Trail.
Placerville, CA
Monday:
Open 24 hours
Tuesday:
Open 24 hours
Wednesday:
Open 24 hours
Thursday:
Open 24 hours
Friday:
Open 24 hours
Saturday:
Open 24 hours
Sunday:
Open 24 hours
Pick up picnic supplies in downtown Placerville, then bike or hike a stretch of the 30-mile El Dorado Trail. Retire to a luxurious room with a private outdoor soaking tub at the Eden Vale Inn.
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3. Lassen Volcanic National Park, in Upstate California
Drive time from San Francisco: 4 hours / Drive time from Sacramento: 3 hours Lassen Volcanic National Park is one of California's quietest national parks, especially in the winter months when the main park road isn't plowed
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See Lassen's largest and most popular hydrothermal area
Mineral, CA
Monday:
Open 24 hours
Tuesday:
Open 24 hours
Wednesday:
Open 24 hours
Thursday:
Open 24 hours
Friday:
Open 24 hours
Saturday:
Open 24 hours
Sunday:
Open 24 hours
Drive time from San Francisco: 4 hours / Drive time from Sacramento: 3 hours Lassen Volcanic National Park is one of California's quietest national parks, especially in the winter months when the main park road isn't plowed. Bring your winter clothes and gear, then check with the rangers at the Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center to find out the best spots for sledding, snowshoeing, or backcountry skiing.
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At day's end, cozy up at Highlands Ranch Resort, only 15 minutes away
41515 CA-36
Tehama County, CA
Monday:
Closed
Tuesday:
Closed
Wednesday:
Closed
Thursday:
5:00 – 9:00 PM
Friday:
8:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Saturday:
8:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Sunday:
8:00 AM – 9:00 PM
The 175-acre property includes a soaring main lodge and seven tricked-up cottages with heated floors, fluffy duvets, and fireplaces.