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News
NorCal Breweries Release “Shasta Strong” IPA in Support of Carr Fire Survivors
With a united goal, five Shasta County breweries have come together to create a special batch of beer in support…
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Destinations
Road Trippin’ – Southern Oregon’s Toketee Falls and Umpqua Hot Springs
Sure, we are Active NorCal, covering all the cool outdoor stuff in Northern California. But for us to ignore the…
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Random
Fighting Northern California Wildfires with a Helicopter Flamethrower
While massive wildfires continue to burn through Northern California, fire officials are always looking for new techniques to gain containment…
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News
NorCal Student Falls Off Popular S. Oregon Waterfall, Presumed Dead
Emergency crews in Souther Oregon were continuing there search for 23-year-old Brian Lewinstein, who slipped and fell off the popular Toketee…
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News
Yosemite National Park Preparing to Reopen to Visitors
When the Ferguson Fire put a blanket of smoke over Yosemite National Park, officials were forces to close most of…
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Outdoors
Behind the Stunt: 100-Foot Ropeswing on Lake Tahoe
It’s been called the biggest ropeswing into water ever seen. Launching yourself off a tree platform only to fly over…
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Sports
NorCal Woman Smashes National 5K Record in Sacramento
The Susan B. Anthony 5K was held on Saturday, August 11 in Sacramento along the American River. When it began,…
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Destinations
3 Bidwell Park Swimming Holes to Beat the Heat
What Chico lacks in terms of manageable summer temperatures, it makes up for with all the swimming hole options at…
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Stories
Almost Climbing Mount Shasta: A Story of Misery and Life Lessons at 14,000 Feet
by Chip O’Brien At four thirty in the morning no one saw the light from my tiny headlamp inching uphill…
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News
Interior Secretary Zinke to Visit Whiskeytown to Assess ‘Historic’ Carr Fire Damage
The Carr Fire, California’s sixth most destructive fire ever, ripped through 100 percent of Whiskeytown National Recreation Area causing extensive…
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Destinations
9 Family-Friendly Camping Spots in Northern California
The insistent bzzzzzzzz of a mosquito roused me from sleep, but my eyes refused to open in hopes it would…
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Bay Area
The World Dog Surfing Championship in NorCal was the Cutest Thing You’ve Ever Seen
Sitting just south of San Francisco at Linda Mar Beach in Pacifica, California there are some mellow waves that any hardcore…
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Waterfalls
A Tour of 10 Stunning Waterfalls in Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park has countless waterfalls. A tour of the massive park can yield many small waterfalls, but we wanted…
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Politics
Over 2,000 Inmate Firefighters Working on Northern California Fires
As historic fires blaze across nearly 900 square miles of Northern California, officials have been desperately seeking relief and resources…
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Destinations
See What it’s Like to Summit Mount Shasta via Avalanche Gulch
Climbing Mount Shasta is the ultimate badge of honor in NorCal. It’s a grueling hike up steep terrain with changing…
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News
The Perseid Meteor Shower is this Weekend! Will Wildfire Smoke Ruin the Occasion?
On the night of Sunday, August 12th, the Swift-Tuttle comet will put on an extraordinary show. When the Earth plows into…
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Outdoors
Fly Fishing on the Haunted Upper Sacramento River
By Chip O’Brien Thankfully, no invisible or bony hand ever reached out to touch my shoulder on dark evenings while…
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Outdoors
Watch: Slacklining 2,500 Feet Above Yosemite Falls
Yosemite National Park is known to be a place that attracts outdoor thrill seekers. In fact, renown rock-climber Alex Honnold completed…
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News
Worse Than China? Smoke Causes Air Quality to Becomes Hazardous in Northern California
With massive fires burning over 860 square miles in Northern California, a cloud of smoke has blanketed the region, causing…
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History
Explorers Study Ancient Underwater Forests with a Submarine at Fallen Leaf Lake
Mapping out the history of our the outdoors can be a difficult task, one that requires time, money, and maybe…
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News
Report: Sierra Nevada Mountains Grew an Inch Taller During the Drought
Although I grew up spending my Saturday mornings watching Bill Nye the Science Guy, I can firmly admit that I…
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News
860 Square Miles Continue to Burn from the Mendocino Complex, Carr and Ferguson Fires
It’s been a tough wildfire season in Northern California as over 555,000 acres (867 square miles) are currently ablaze and…
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Destinations
A Summer Getaway to Lake Aloha in the Desolation Wilderness
By Ryan Loughrey The entrance to the Desolation Wilderness is anything but – neither desolate nor wild. The southern Lake…
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Stories
Firefighters from Australia and New Zealand Arrive in Northern California to Assist with Fires
Nearly 200 firefighters from Australia and New Zealand arrived in Redding on Monday to assist with the destructive wildfires across…
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News
Volunteers Clean more than 500 Pounds of Trash from Lake Tahoe
From it’s beautiful beaches to family-friendly resorts, Lake Tahoe is a centerpiece of outdoor recreation in Northern California. But with…
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News
It’s Official: Mendocino Complex Fire is the Largest Fire in California History
Updated August 6th – 9 pm: It’s official – The Mendocino Complex Fire has grown to become the largest in…
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Destinations
Road Trippin’ – The Painted Hills of the Oregon Heartlands
By Ryan Loughrey The first leg of our trip took us 323 miles, having left late last Thursday night, spending…
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Sports
Whitewater Rafting + Fishing: Catching Fish Deep in California’s Gold Country
“To find the goods, you have to be willing to go to places where no one else is willing to…
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News
Ferguson Fire Explodes in Size, Crosses Border into Yosemite National Park
The Ferguson Fire, which began on July 13th and has since grown to nearly 90,000 acres in Mariposa County, has…
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Weather
Report: Carr Fire’s “Historic” Firenado Created 143 MPH Winds
The National Weather Service and CalFire’s Serious Accident Review Team conducted a preliminary damage survey on the Carr Fire in which…
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Events
It’s Time to Celebrate National Farmer’s Market Week!
Brought to you by Healthy Shasta There’s something special about attending a farmers’ market. Smiling vendors greet you with…
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News
Mendocino Complex Fire Becomes Largest in California
As the eyes of the country remained on the devastating damage caused by the Carr Fire, the Mendocino Complex Fire…
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Stories
The “Singing Samoan Fire Crew” in Northern California
A video of the “Singing Samoan Fire Crew” has made its rounds on the internet due to their uplifting spirit…
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Shasta Cascade
Watch: The Martin Mars Waterbomber on Shasta Lake
When wildfires become difficult to control in NorCal, sometimes firefighters need a little help from the air. Call in the…
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Hikes
Weekend in Lassen – Exploring Cold Boiling Lake and Kings Creek Falls
By Ryan Loughrey Lassen Park offer a bounty of opportunities of exploration. Although I feel I’ve explored a good amount,…
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Outdoors
Win Great Fishing Gear with the 2018 California Trout Photo Contest
The 2018 California Trout Photo Contest is now accepting submissions July 15 through August 31st! Share your best photos of California’s…
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Video
Guy Dives into Truckee River to Catch HUGE Brown Trout
Matt Herron is a fly fishing guide in Tahoe and had quite the run in with a giant brown trout.…
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News
Yosemite Valley Remains Closed, Hundreds of Campers Evacuated Due to Smoke
As the Ferguson Fire continues to burnt through the Yosemite area, a dense cloud of smoke has filled the Yosemite…
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Video
Watch: Kayaker Reaches 36 MPH on 100-Foot Yosemite Waterslide
The Tenaya Creek waterslide is a little known feature in Yosemite National Park. The 100-foot waterslide is located at upper Tenaya…
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Events
Lassen’s 2018 Dark Sky Festival This Weekend
Friday through Saturday, August 3-4, 2018 Join park rangers, astronomers, and astrobiologists in celebrating all that is out of this…
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News
Carr Fire Climbing the Ranks as One of the Most Destructive Fires in California History
The Carr Fire continues to rip through Shasta County, now sitting at 112,888 acres burned and 30 percent containment. The fast-moving…
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Shasta Cascade
The Charred Surroundings of Redding’s Iconic Bridge is a Sobering Sight
We’ve seen the photos and videos of the massive flames of the Carr Fire. We’ve seen the devastation of the…
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News
Whiskeytown Closes for the Summer Due to Carr Fire Damage
Northern California’s beloved Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, home of beautiful waterfalls, stunning beaches and a crystal clear lake, is closing…
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Uncategorized
Carr Fire Looters Should Be Publicly Flogged
This article was updated, as two more people were arrested for looting Sunday night. See update at the bottom of…
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News
Carr Fire Monday Update: Structures Destroyed and Fatalities Grow; Containment Improves
While the size of the devastating Carr Fire has grown significantly in the past 24 hours, firefighters finally caught a…
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News
Carr Fire Sunday Update: Fire Moves South, 140 Square Miles Burned, Five Dead, 38,000 Evacuated
The Carr Fire continues to move along the southwest side of Redding and brand new evacuations send thousands more people…
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News
Two Children and Great Grandmother Confirmed Dead, Bringing Carr Fire Death Toll to Five
As the community searched for the whereabouts of two children and their great grandmother in the midst of the Carr…
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News
The Incredible Science Behind the Carr Fire’s “Firenado”
The people of Shasta County are certainly used to wildfires. During fire season every year, scores of residents are evacuated…
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News
Two Children and their Great Grandmother are Missing in the Carr Fire
A neighbor spoke on the phone with 70-year-old Melody Bledsoe on Thursday night as the Carr Fire flames approached their neighborhood.…
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News
Ways You Can Help the Victims of the Carr Fire
As the catastrophic Carr Fire continues to burn through communities in Redding, it’s estimated that 37,000 people have evacuated their…
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News
Redding Firefighter Killed in Carr Fire Identified, 3 More Wounded
The Redding firefighter who was killed while fighting the Carr Fire in Redding has been identified as Jeremy Stoke, a…
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News
Carr Fire Update: Thousands Evacuated, Homes Destroyed, Winds Expected to Return
As the Carr Fire turned into a deadly tornado of fire and destruction on Thursday night, thousands of Redding residents…
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News
Whiskeytown’s “Out Of Control” Carr Fire Explodes Overnight to 20,000 Acres
We reported early this morning that the Carr Fire in Whiskeytown National Recreation Area had grown to 6,773 acres. Just a…
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News
Carr Fire Blazes Through Whiskeytown, Threatens National Park Structures
The Carr Fire in Whiskeytown National Recreation Area has grown significantly in the last 24 hours, currently sitting at 6,773…
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Destinations
This Northern California Ghost Town is Cursed, According to its Visitors
The workers at the Bodie State Historic Park are used to receiving letters in the mail talking about the “Bodie…
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News
This Week’s Weird Headline: NorCal Firetruck Stolen, Suspects Captured After 85-Mile Chase
While firefighters from the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District were battling a 12-acre grass fire near Rio Linda, a man jumped…
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News
Deadly Fire Near Yosemite Doubles in Size, Could “Become a Major Threat” to the Park
The Ferguson Fire started just west of Yosemite National Park on Friday, July 13th and continues to grow rapidly, posing…
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Video
Watch: Man Spots Rattlesnake Swimming Across the American River
It’s summertime in NorCal, which means when we’re out in the wild, it’s important to pay close attention to the…
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Weather
It’s Going to be REALLY Hot in Northern California this Week – Heat Advisory Issued
An excessive heat warning was issued in Northern California this week, with parts of the valley forecasted to reach 110…
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Butte
NorCal Man Drowns After Disappearing From Houseboat on Lake Oroville
The body of a 41-year-old Roseville man was recovered in Lake Oroville Saturday after the man disappeared from the boat…
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Outdoors
I Spent a Day Snorkeling Down Clear Creek in Redding. Am I Weird?
By Chip O’Brien When you combine a pithy streak of spontaneity with a penchant for living life on the edge,…
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Wildlife
Passengers Freak Out as Rattlesnake Attempts to Climb on Boat in Folsom Lake
We all know where to avoid rattlesnakes – in hot fields with dead grass, under rocks in hot climates –…
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Wildlife
Rare White Raccoon Spotted at Lake Merritt
Lake Merritt is a beautiful urban lake in Oakland, California, and a new photo has emerged that shows it’s also…
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Hikes
A Beautiful Escape to Medicine Lake and Glass Mountain
By Ryan Loughrey We woke up to find that the water in our bottles had frozen. We knew it was…
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Outdoors
Adventures With Backcountry Craig – Splitboarding on Mount Shasta
Backcountry Craig, Active NorCal’s Adventure Consultant, takes on a ride of a lifetime as he splitboards up Mount Shasta to…
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News
Firefighter Killed Fighting the Ferguson Fire Near Yosemite
The 1,000 acre Ferguson Fire, currently burning on the steep and rugged terrain just west of Yosemite National Park, tragically…
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History
How Redding Got its Name – A Tale of Two Men With Nearly the Same Name
Redding, California sits center stage in Northern California, nestled comfortably in the middle of the beautifully distinct areas all across…
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News
Man Killed Jumping Off Burney Falls Identified
On Friday, July 6th, a 30-year-old man attempted the very dangerous and illegal stunt of jumping off of the 131-foot…
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Destinations
5 Tips for Hiking Lassen’s Brokeoff Mountain
By Ryan Loughrey Brokeoff Mountain in Lassen National Park is notorious for being one of the most difficult hikes in…
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Events
Celebrate Mount Shasta Becoming the First Ever “Trail Town”
The city of Mount Shasta, in partnership with the Pacific Crest Trail Association, Chamber of Commerce, U.S. Forest Service, and…
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Outdoors
Exploring the Car Graveyard of Mt. Shasta
By Ryan Loughrey Walking through the car graveyard felt like walking through an ancient time. Even though the cars couldn’t…
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News
Help Support a Firefighter Severely Burned in Klamathon Fire
The Klamathon Fire has been taking it’s toll on the Hornbrook community of Northern California. The fire has burned 81…
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History
The Turbulent History of Mt. Shasta’s Old Ski Bowl
It was in 1959 when ambitious developers leased land from the Shasta-Trinity National Forest and opened a two-person chairlift on the…
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Video
Watch the “Unflippable Raft” Plunge over McCloud Falls
The Creature Craft was created by Darren Vanci, who was determined to create an “unflippable raft.” The structural integrity of the raft…
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News
One Dead and 81 Structures Destroyed: Vicious Klamathon Fire Continues to Rip Through Northern California
Northern California’s vicious Klamathon Fire, located in and around the town of Hornbrook in Siskiyou County near the Oregon border,…
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Outdoors
A Tale of Summer Backpacking: A Little Sketchy, A Lot Worth It
By Benjamin Goodpasture, Founder and CEO of Shasta Rock Club I’ll never forget the day I first saw Emerald and…
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News
Man Dies Jumping Off Burney Falls
A 30-year-old man tragically jumped to his death off of Burney Falls on Friday. The Shasta County Sheriff’s Department was…
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News
Deadly Klamathon Fire Rips Through Northern California, State of Emergency Declared
The Klamathon Fire, which has ripped through the small town of Hornbrook near the Oregon border, has grown to 9,600…
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Hikes
Hiking Up the Iconic Black Butte is Well Worth the Views
For frequenters of northbound I-5 in NorCal, imposing Black Butte is nearly as iconic as its next-door-neighbor Mt. Shasta. Characterized…
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Waterfalls
The 20 Most Beautiful Waterfalls in Northern California
In 1995, the recording group TLC released their massive hit Waterfalls, in which the chorus reads “don’t go chasing waterfalls,…
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Sports
Flow State – An Inside Look into the Lives of Northern California’s Professional Cliffjumpers
By Zach O’Brien As Jay Briggs stands on a log perched 70 feet above the water in the middle of…
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Shasta Cascade
A Rite of Passage: Floating Down the Sacramento River
By Frances Griffey There are a few activities all NorCal locals have to do: walk across the Sundial Bridge, visit Turtle Bay, go…
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Destinations
The Desolate Hike to Lassen’s Mill Creek Falls
By Ryan Loughrey Now that the road through Lassen National Park is open, Kiva and I decided to hike a…
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News
County Fire Continues to Grow Rapidly, Now at 44,500 Acres with “extreme” behavior
The County Fire, previously known as the Guinda Fire, continues to rapidly spread across Northern California, growing to 44,500 acres…
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Destinations
The Flumes and Cable Pools of Paradise
The town of Paradise, California, which is just outside of Chico, is not necessarily known as NorCal’s “paradise,” but it does…
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Destinations
An Overnight Trip to Tangle Blue Lake in the Trinity Alps Wilderness
By Ryan Loughrey We had it in our mind that the hike to Tangle Blue Lake was going to be…
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News
Yolo County Fire Erupts Overnight, Doubles to 16,500 Acres
A fire in Yolo County began on Saturday afternoon during the poor fire conditions, when high heat, dry conditions and…
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News
Missing Hiker Found by Family in Northern California
On June 15th, experienced hiker David Ura and his dog Kingsley traveled from their home in Medford, Oregon and were dropped off…
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News
VCA Animal Hospitals Offers Free Boarding for Pets Affected by Northern California Wildfires
VCA Animal Hospitals announced that select VCA hospitals in Northern California are offering free boarding assistance for small animals, including dogs,…
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Hikes
Hiking Castle Crags – Castle Dome Trail
Castle Crags seems to hide in plain sight. Though clearly visible from I-5, the magnificent geological oddity receives less mention than other North…
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Outdoors
Moonlight Kayaking on Whiskeytown Lake
By Frances Griffey There’s something about the dark that prompts deep conversations and intense contemplation. For children, the dark is…
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Outdoors
Walking on Water – Stand Up Paddleboard Yoga on Whiskeytown Lake
By Angela Cordell I’ve always been drawn to yoga. Everything about its physical, mental and spiritual benefits attracts me. I’ve…
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Outdoors
My Northern California Summer Bucket List
By Ryan Loughrey The sun has inspired me to start thinking more about summer. One of the activities I am…
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Outdoors
The Lazy Float down the Truckee River
There are many summer activities in the Tahoe area for adventurers, but if your looking for a relaxing adventure, look…
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Butte
Chico State Students Use Their Education to Renovate a Park, Saving the City $135,000
The City of Chico was desperately looking to upgrade the Capres Acres Park, a Fairytale-themed playground featuring numerous activities and…
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Sports
This Rope Swing Stunt on the Truckee River is TERRIFYING!
Mike Wilson has become well known around Northern California for his insane rope swing stunts. He’s had viral videos from…
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Wildlife
Firefighters Rescue Baby Deer During the Creek Fire
As fires swept through Shasta County during the Creek Fire, firefighters rushed to save homes, evacuate nearby residents and contain…
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Waterfalls
Feather Falls – Hiking to Northern California’s Towering Waterfall
Before being accurately measured, Oroville’s Feather Falls was considered the sixth tallest waterfall in the United States. Though widely reported, the height of the falls…
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Destinations
Road Trippin’ – 10 Waterfalls in a Day at Silver Falls State Park
By Ryan Loughrey Sometimes your weekend starts with a long drive. This one in particular ended at a campsite at…
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News
NorCal Firefighters Brace for High Winds, Red Flag Warning Issued
As Northern California fires rage on, firefighters are bracing for forecasts of a hot, dry and very windy weekend. CalFire…
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Wildlife
Beware of the Shark-Infested Waters of Northern California’s Infamous Red Triangle
On the Northern California coast, starting in Bodega Bay and spanning down through the San Francisco Bay and all the…
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Lassen
Lassen Peak is Sinking and Scientists Don’t Know Why
A paper written by Amy Parker in the Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research shows that Lassen Peak has been sinking since…
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Stories
NorCal Brewery Introduces “IPA Inspired” THC-Infused Sparkling Water
The Northern California brewery responsible for the #1 selling IPA in the world, is making a brand new drink that…
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News
Hiker Missing on Northern California’s Bigfoot Trail
On June 15th, experienced hiker David Ura and his dog Kingsley traveled from their home in Medford, Oregon and were dropped…
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