Spending time outdoors is a fantastic way to boost both mental and physical health, and the state of California is the perfect place to do that. Cali offers everything from rolling mountains to crashing waves and everything in between.
Whether you live in California, you recently moved there, or you’re heading there on a vacation getaway this year, it’s time to make the most of the great outdoors in the Golden State. Here are 6 great outdoor activities to help you do that.
Backcountry Skiing
While it’s normal to think of Cali for its sun and surf, the best backcountry skiing California has to offer is some of the best in the world. That’s all because of the powder-perfect conditions, and it also helps that the landscapes are as picturesque as they come.
In Cali, you can find everything from deep snow to steep verticals, but the key to finding the right backcountry skiing route for you is to do your homework first. To give you a better idea of the snow-covered scenery in California, here are 5 of the best backcountry skiing opportunities:
- Mammoth Lakes/Mammoth Mountain
- Mount Shasta
- Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows
- Sugar Bowl
- June Mountain
Take a Hike
There are plenty of hiking trails throughout California to keep you busy, like hiking up to the iconic Hollywood sign. Making your way up to the sign is a cool way to spend a Southern Californian morning, especially since it gives you one of the best views overlooking LA.
The Hollywood sign hike is just the tip of the iceberg for cool hiking excursions here. If you want to make a weekend out of it, it’s recommended that you go to Joshua Tree. However, the hike you choose really comes down to your location within Cali and what you’re interested in.
The point is that you’ve got options, like hiking along cliff-lined beaches, through redwood forests, or pine-covered mountains.
Go for a Drive
While spending time in the car may not seem like a cool way to pass the time “outdoors”, California makes it cool. There are a few really cool routes and highways to drive, like the Big Sur Coastline. This 90-miles stretch is lined with rugged mountains cascading down to the beaches below.
There are a few more drives that are worth your time, especially if you enjoy being behind the wheel. Redwood Highway is another one, and then there’s also the drive along the Northern Pacific Coast and the one through breathtaking Lake Tahoe.
Spend the Night Stargazing
Even if you’re not keen on camping, stargazing is an amazing way to see California in an entirely new light – or should we say entirely new darkness. You can stargaze from just about anywhere that’s outside of the major cities, but the best stargazing adventure by far is Glacier Point.
Yosemite’s Glacier Point gives you an incredible view of Half Dome and Nevada Falls. The reason it’s so great for stargazing is that the nighttime literally bathes the area in complete darkness, which means the white stars have a black background to stand out against.
Hit Up the Vineyards
Anyone who prefers to get a nice buzz on while enjoying the great outdoors will love to find that California is the perfect place for that. You’ve got a perfect excuse to drink while getting some fresh air, and it’s all thanks to California vineyards and wineries.
There’s no shortage of wineries to choose from, so you’ll want to narrow it down based on your location. Napa Valley is the go-to region for wine-tasting connoisseurs, so if this is really something that you’re into, visiting Napa should be your first priority.
Check Out the World’s Largest Tree
Sequoia National Park is home to some pretty big trees, and it’s even home to the largest tree in the world. When looking at it based on trunk volume, the General Sherman Tree has all others beat, so it makes sense that this is one of the top-visited spots in the park.
These are just a few ideas to get you started with your Cali outdoor adventure, but just know that the opportunities here for an outdoor adventure are essentially endless.
