Walkabout Northern California

Plan and enjoy self-guided inn-to-inn hikes through the wilds of California

Leave the car behind; hike Northern California; and end each day with a comfortable bed, a glass of wine, a great meal, and perhaps even a hot tub. Walkabout Northern California provides all the information you need to create a human-powered vacation in wilderness and in comfort. Hike the Marin Coast from the Headlands to Point Reyes, and relax each evening at pubs and restaurants in coastal villages. Cross the Sierra in the footsteps of the pioneers, and stay in cabins on the shores of clear mountain lakes. Take a romantic stroll along the beautiful Mendocino Coast, and sample gourmet cuisine at inns overlooking the vast Pacific Ocean. Explore mountain lakes, deep canyons, and other-worldly hydrothermal landscapes in Lassen, and enjoy sumptuous dining at a rustic guest ranch and a muscle-soothing soak in hot springs.

This fully updated, full-color edition of Walkabout Northern California describes twelve walks (or walkabouts) along the wild Pacific Coast, through the majestic Sierra Nevada Mountains, in the Cascades, and around the parklands of the San Francisco Bay. Each walkabout is organized by chapter and contains all the necessary details to create a memorable and invigorating vacation—with a map, mile-by-mile details of the route, logistical tips on places to stay and eat, and inspirational ideas to simplify your travel and reconnect with nature's rhythm. Some hikes can take a week, but many can be enjoyed in a weekend. Some are challenging, but most are perfect for the casual hiker. With a light daypack and a few reservations, you can travel for days along California's breathtaking coastline or in its vast mountain ranges. Follow author Tom Courtney on a northern California walkabout, so you can savor the journey and the destination.