The Navarro River in Mendocino County. Photo: Nadia Lopez/Axios
Late spring — greeted by bright, sunny days and warmer temperatures — marks the beginning of the outdoorsy season in Northern California, where an expansive region of rivers, mountains and forests offers an endless supply of adventure.
The latest: I recently went on a 7-mile hike through the Navarro River Redwoods State Park in Mendocino County before arriving at this charming location for a picnic.
The scenic, 28-mile-long river that flows through the Anderson Valley follows Highway 128 and is surrounded by rolling hills and majestic redwood trees.
The park, which offers numerous river access points, camping sites and hiking trails, is about a three hour drive from the city, making it a great destination for a perfect weekend getaway in nature.