Stories
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Sep- 2023 -17 September
Mark Twain’s Hilarious Account of the Naming of Yreka, California
The small town of Yreka, California, sitting just to the north of the mighty Mount Shasta, has a prominent history…
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8 September
The History Behind Northern California’s National Parks
Northern California is a treasure trove of natural wonders, boasting an array of national parks that stand as testament to…
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6 September
How the Grizzly Bear Became the Symbol of California
The California Bear Flag (the official state flag of California) hardly gets any love despite flying over virtually every government…
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6 September
Among Giants: The Story of the Activists Trying to Save Northern California’s Redwood Forest
How far would you go to stand up for what you believe in? For a group of activists in the…
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1 September
How to Hike Like a Local in California’s Far North
Brought to you by Discover Siskiyou Photo by Stephen Leonardi If you ask any local in Siskiyou County, there’s no better…
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Aug- 2023 -21 August
Wandering Off the Trail is Strictly Prohibited in These California National Parks
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks implement a seemingly peculiar rule – don’t take any shortcuts on the trails. It…
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11 August
Did the Real-Life Tarzan Dive Off Burney Falls?
The story was well known to me, but we at Active NorCal always check our sources. If you Google “Tarzan,…
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10 August
What Will the Klamath River Look Like Without Dams? Here’s a Lesson from the Largest Dam Removal in U.S. History.
While the removal of four hydroelectric dams along the Klamath River is currently underway, the actual restoration of the river…
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2 August
The Best Places to See the Perseid Meteor Shower in Northern California
On the nights of August 11th, 12th, and 13th, the Swift-Tuttle comet will put on an extraordinary show. When the…
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2 August
Remembering Babe Ruth’s 1924 Exhibition Game in Dunsmuir, California
Photo by Paul J. Standar The Babe. The Sultan of Swat. The Great Bambino. The legend of Babe Ruth has…
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2 August
15 Times Calvin and Hobbes Reminded Us Why We Love the Outdoors
During my entire life, I’ve had a steady stream of outdoor adventures and Calvin and Hobbes. And as I become…
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1 August
The History of the McCloud River and its World-Famous Fish
Photo: California Trout It’s the strangest feeling. I can be standing for hours in a rushing trout stream totally absorbed…
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Jul- 2023 -31 July
Reflecting on Past Wildfires to Predict the 2023 Fire Season in Northern California
It appears we’re finally moving beyond the honeymoon phase of the historic winter in NorCal (although people are still skiing)…
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31 July
Experience the Magical Sunflower Fields of Northern California
During the summertime in Northern California, you may have found yourself lucky to drive through Woodland, Davis or Dixon, where…
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27 July
The Water Flowing Through the Sacramento River Fell on Mount Shasta More Than 50 Years Ago
Mount Shasta Mount Shasta holds a mesmerizing secret: the snow that blankets its slopes takes an astounding 50 years to…
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20 July
An Overnight Trip to Tangle Blue Lake in the Trinity Alps Wilderness
Photo: Elizabeth Strube/All Trails We had it in our mind that the hike to Tangle Blue Lake was going to…
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20 July
I Spent a Day Snorkeling Down Clear Creek in Redding. Am I Weird?
When you combine a pithy streak of spontaneity with a penchant for living life on the edge, bad things might…
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Jun- 2023 -18 June
This Northern California River Inspired the Creedence Clearwater Revival Song ‘Green River’
In August of 1969, Creedence Clearwater Revival released its third album “Green River,” which consisted of two of their biggest…
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11 June
Why Does Apple Name its iOS Systems After California Destinations?
A trip down memory lane of Apple’s iOS releases feels like a grand tour across California. From Yosemite to Catalina,…
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1 June
Beauty Meets History – Hiking Tahoe’s Rubicon Trail
Tahoe’s Rubicon Trail might sound familiar to you as it’s become a very popular destination for hikers throughout Northern California,…
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1 June
Northern California is Experiencing a Modern-Day Gold Rush. Here’s Where You Should Pan for Gold.
Northern California has recently been subjected to a harsh winter, with the Sierra Nevada bearing the brunt of severe storms.…
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May- 2023 -29 May
Unveiled FBI Documents Reveal Plot to Kill Queen Elizabeth on Her Trip to Northern California
In 1983, Queen Elizabeth II undertook a tour of California, marking her only visit to the state during her lifetime.…
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20 May
The ‘Triathlon of the Art World’ Returns to Humboldt County
Photo: Kinetic Grand Championship The Kinetic Grand Championship, often referred to as the “Triathlon of the Art World,” is an…
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19 May
Proposed American River Reservoir Could Bring Significant Water Storage to Northern California
Folsom Lake In response to ongoing calls for greater water storage capacity, a study of the American River Basin has…
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12 May
How the Lake Almanor Earthquakes are Related to Lassen Volcanic National Park
Lassen Peak looks over Lake Almanor. Photo by Ryan C. Two magnitude 5 earthquakes hit the Lake Almanor area over a…
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8 May
Trash to Treasure: Exploring Nature’s Art at Fort Bragg’s Glass Beach
Photo by Joshua Sortino It was common practice in the early 1900’s to just throw your trash in the ocean. Today,…
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8 May
The Unexplained Mysteries of Lake Tahoe
It’s said that French Explorer Jacques Cousteau did a deepwater dive into Lake Tahoe in the 1970’s, only to emerge…
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8 May
Did You Know There’s More Than One Volcano in Lassen Volcanic National Park?
Photo by Austin Schmid Did you know that Lassen Peak is not the only volcano in Lassen Volcanic National Park? While…
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7 May
Missed the Northern Lights? Here’s How to See Them in Northern California.
We’re often asked how people can see the Aurora Borealis in Northern California. It’s not easy to see, but there…
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4 May
How Star Wars Transformed the Northern California Redwoods into Endor for ‘Return of the Jedi’
In the early 1980’s, the third installment of the wildly popular Star Wars franchise was in production, and creator George…
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1 May
Mysterious Disappearance of Young Boy at McCloud Falls Adds to the Aura of Mt. Shasta
Mount Shasta is known for its natural beauty, along with its spooky reputation of paranormal activity. Many visitors have shared…
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1 May
Where is Northern California? The Answer Depends on Who You Ask.
There’s a long-standing question of where exactly Northern California is located. According to one study, it’s a matter of perception.…
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Apr- 2023 -30 April
The Snowiest Winters in Tahoe History: The Endless Winter of 1938 Remains the Snowiest on Record
With a historical winter currently blanketing the Lake Tahoe region, we decided to dive deep into the history of epic…
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20 April
This Man Gave Up His Japanese Citizenship to Become a Park Ranger at Muir Woods
Paul Myers / Parks Conservancy It’s not everyday someone gives up their citizenship to pursue a career, but that’s exactly…
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13 April
Man Has Lived Off-the-Grid in the NorCal Redwoods for 50 Years. Now the Compound is Worth $6 Million.
In 1968, Charles Bello and his wife Vanna Rae bought 400 acres of redwood forested land in Mendocino County and…
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8 April
The Easter Lily Capital of the World Sits Right Here in Northern California
The Easter Lily make a great centerpiece to any Easter dinner surrounded by family and friends. And it’s very likely…
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5 April
The Snowiest Winters in Tahoe History: 812 Inches of Snow Buries the Railroad in 1952
The winter of 1952 in Tahoe is remembered for its record-breaking snowstorms, which caused avalanches, trapped trains, closed roads, and…
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4 April
Famous Film of Bigfoot Walking Through Northern California Has Been Enhanced by AI
Bigfoot continues to be a prominent legend and enigma in the United States. The countless sightings and ongoing stream of…
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2 April
The Snowiest Winters in Tahoe History: The Great April Storm of 1880 Pushed Donner to the Brink
In 1879, a severe storm originating from the Gulf of Alaska hit the Northern Sierra just before Christmas Day. The…
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Mar- 2023 -21 March
‘Space Junk’ May Have Crashed in Yosemite After Streaking Across California’s Night Sky
Photo by Kevin Chen Streaks of bright lights spotted across the sky in California on St. Patrick’s Day left many people…
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21 March
The Snowiest Winters in Tahoe History: The Great Snow Blockade of 1890
With a historical winter currently blanketing the Lake Tahoe region, we decided to dive deep into the history of epic…
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20 March
This Popular Northern California Lake Was Once a National Park
Northern California is home to some of the most popular National Parks in America, with Yosemite National Park ranking high…
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20 March
The Mysterious Wild Chickens that Roam Yuba City with Impunity
Photo via chickensofyubacity If you’ve ever driven through the town of Yuba City along Highway 99 in Northern California, you…
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20 March
The Snowiest Winters in Tahoe History: The Two-Month Blizzard of 1895
With a historical winter currently blanketing the Lake Tahoe region, we decided to dive deep into the history of epic…
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20 March
How Two Tahoe Skiers Invented the Term ‘Shred the Gnar’
The term “shred the gnar” is a heavily used saying in extreme sports. The terms’s popularity had grown so much…
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15 March
Remembering the Great Flood that Put Northern California Under 30 Feet of Water
If you take a look at Northern California on a map, it will show a large valley right down the…
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9 March
An Atmospheric River is Headed Towards Northern California. What Exactly Does That Mean?
This week is expected to see a massive atmospheric river enter Northern California (and probably more behind it), bringing with…
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Feb- 2023 -28 February
This Northern California Town Has Its Own Language
I’ll never forget the first I visited Boonville, California, located 12.5 miles southwest of Ukiah in Mendocino County. We entered…
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23 February
This Truck Dangling From a Humboldt Tree is a Mysterious Piece of Art
It’s been said that some people in Humboldt are weird. Heck, it’s the charm of the place. Known for it’s…
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20 February
Northern California is Home to the ‘World’s Smallest Mountain Range’
In Northern California, we have a lot going for us. We have multiple active volcanos, pristine National Parks, a beautiful…
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20 February
Take this Hike to See Ancient Petroglyphs in Northern California
In the Lava Beds National Monument sits a wall of stone with petroglyphs that are dated as far back as…
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14 February
Geologists Reveal the Age of Yosemite Valley and It’s Much Younger Than Previously Thought
Yosemite Valley’s origin story has been a subject of debate for decades. Now, geologists from the University of California, Berkeley,…
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13 February
Why Mt. Shasta Remains Mysterious – Dissecting 4 ‘Facts’ About the Mountain
Photo by Stephen Leonardi One day I was up in Oregon and pulled into the “Peter Skene Ogden State Scenic Viewpoint”…
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13 February
How a Tech Billionaire Lost $58 Million Buying a Lake Tahoe Vacation Home
Lake Tahoe has become a refuge for tech billionaires to vacation away from the hustle and bustle of Silicon Valley.…
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13 February
Massive Mothership Lenticular Cloud Appears Over Mount Shasta
There are plenty of legends surrounding the mighty Mount Shasta, including the theory that aliens use it as an underground port…
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7 February
Yaks on the 5 – Delicious Burgers at a Top 100 Restaurant in America
We visited Dunsmuir’s favorite local eater Yaks on the 5 to find out why they were named a “Top 100…
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7 February
Despite its Chilly Surroundings, Lake Tahoe Never Freezes. Here’s Why.
Photo by Manny Alvarez Lake Tahoe is known for its icy winter temperatures and snow-covered shores, but despite its freezing conditions,…
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Jan- 2023 -29 January
Exploring the Point Reyes Shipwreck of Tomales Bay
Photo by Stephen Leonardi It’s rare to see an accident with such size and historical significance sit in its original location.…
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20 January
Chico Hiker Completes Coveted 7,500-Mile Triple Crown in One Calendar Year
For avid hikers, the Triple Crown holds a special significance. The Pacific Crest, Continental Divide, and Appalachian trails are the…
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20 January
When Will Klamath Dam Removal Take Place? A Complete Timeline for the Largest Dam Removal Project Ever.
The largest ever dam removal project in the United States will completely change the makeup of multiple Northern California communities.…
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1 January
The Top 10 Active NorCal Stories from 2022
Another great year here at Active NorCal! The New Year brings new vitality to the Active NorCal office as we…
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Dec- 2022 -27 December
Sculpting an Icon: The 100 Million Year History of Yosemite’s Half Dome
Half Dome is a iconic granite rock formation located in Yosemite National Park in California. It is known for its…
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26 December
How Did Lake Tahoe Get Its Name?
Lake Tahoe is a stunning alpine lake located in the Sierra Nevada mountain range in California and Nevada. It is…
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11 December
7 Incredible Winter Adventures Near Redding, California
Brought to you by Choose Redding Lassen Volcanic National Park in the winter It’s officially winter in Northern California, which…
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Nov- 2022 -29 November
This Northern California Town Transforms into a Whimsical Christmas Wonderland in December
Brought to you by Discover Siskiyou McCloud, California The holiday season has arrived, meaning people are donning their homes with…
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27 November
Meet the Life-Saving Ski Patrol Dogs of Northern California
We all know that dogs are man’s best friend. Well, now dogs can be a skier’s best friend, and they…
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27 November
The 4 Volcanos Surrounding Northern California Are Some Of The Most Dangerous in America
Photo by Jeffrey Eisen It’s no secret – we have some active volcanos in our area. But are you aware that…
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21 November
Hollywood A-List Actor Spotted in Humboldt. Is He Filming a Bigfoot Movie?
There have been sightings of an A-list Hollywood actor around Humboldt recently, which makes us wonder if he’s on the…
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14 November
Tahoe Avalanche Documentary Sits Atop Streaming Charts
The film that dives deep into the deadly 1982 Alpine Meadows avalanche is currently sitting atop the streaming charts as…
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12 November
Meet the Man Who Drives His Car on the Sacramento River
“Wild” Bill Hill lives in Roseville, California, and just like any outdoor lovers in Northern California, he likes to spend…
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7 November
Documentary About the Deadly Avalanche on Alpine Meadows Coming to Video on Demand
On March 31, 1982, a large avalanche hit Alpine Meadows, burying the main lodge and parking lot in 20 feet of…
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6 November
Witnesses Claim Meteorite Destroyed Northern California Home During Taurid Meteor Shower
Many people saw a massive fireball flying across the sky in Northern California during the Taurids meteor shower Friday night.…
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5 November
What Was It? Giant Fireball Lights Up Northern California Sky.
Many people were shocked to see a massive light moving quickly across the Northern California sky Friday night. No, it…
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5 November
Mt. Shasta’s Brand-New Gray Butte Lift is Finished. Here’s How it Will Completely Transform the Mountain.
View of the Mt. Shasta Ski Park from the brand-new Gray Butte lift. Photo by Mt. Shasta Ski Park. The…
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5 November
A Total Lunar Eclipse Called the ‘Beaver Blood Moon’ Will Light Up the Night Sky this Week
Photo by Zoltan Tasi This week will see a spectacular lunar event with the “Beaver Blood Moon” lighting up the night…
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3 November
Celebrating 50 Years of ‘Wild Trout Waters’ in California
Hat Creek in Shasta County is forever linked with CDFW’s Heritage and Wild Trout Program as one of the first…
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Oct- 2022 -30 October
Movie Review: Find Northern California Views in a Spooky Setting in ‘Hotel Dunsmuir’
The film “Hotel Dunsmuir” is out, and just in time for a spooky NorCal Halloween. How do you make Dunsmuir,…
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30 October
Movie Crew Shares Haunting Experiences While Filming ‘Hotel Dunsmuir’ in Northern California
The newly-release Hotel Dunsmuir has been a hit for audiences this Halloween season, receiving positive reviews and earning Michael Zaiko…
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26 October
Meet the Underwater Fly that Rules Mono Lake by Living Underwater
Over 100 years ago, writer Mark Twain observed the case of some “incredibly weird” flies in Mono Lake, near Mammoth…
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26 October
How NorCal’s Outdoor Opportunities Stack Up Against Yellowstone National Park
Photo by Steven Cordes I gotta admit, I’m torn on this one. I’ve recently returned from a fishing trip to Yellowstone…
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20 October
The Dam Removal Era in Northern California Explained
While some Northern California dams are primed for removal, Shasta Dam provides crucial water storage and flood mitigation for the…
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19 October
How Do Northern California Wildfires Impact Wildlife and Forests?
Written by Meghan Snow Seeing a forest recently burned in a wildfire can be jarring. Green is replaced by shades…
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17 October
Sierra Notes: Four Characteristics of a Thriving Forest and How You Can Help Keep Them Healthy
Written By Cal Robinson When you close your eyes and think of a healthy forest, you may picture one that’s…
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17 October
The Literary Titans of Northern California – Part 2
Northern California has always attracted creative superstars, and the list of famous writers who either come from NorCal or spent…
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10 October
The Fascinating History of Redding Rancheria
The Wintu Tribe of Northern California When I am outdoors visiting our beautiful NorCal landmarks, curiosity always slips into my head…
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10 October
The Mystery Behind the Sunken World War II ‘Ghost Boat’ on Shasta Lake
Photo: U.S. Forest Service There have been plenty of historic structures revealed on Shasta Lake during severe drought. With multiple…
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10 October
Newly Released Horror Flick Features One of Our Favorite NorCal Mountain Towns
It’s not every day you get to enjoy a movie filmed in one of your favorite towns in the world.…
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10 October
Stand By Me Deleted Scene Shows Added Danger on the Famed Northern California Bridge
Stand By Me is a cult classic movie from 1986 about four curious boys wandering into the wilderness in search…
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7 October
‘Lucky to be Alive’: Surfer Details Vicious Shark Attack on Northern California Coast
Jared Trainor was excited for another fun day surfing on the Northern California coast on Sunday. The Fortuna man was…
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4 October
The Great Northern California Taco Trail
Northern California is typically known as a wonderland for outdoor enthusiasts. From Mount Shasta to cascading waterfalls to National Parks…
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2 October
The Literary Titans of Northern California – Part 1
Hunter S. Thompson began his literary journey in San Francisco When you think of famous people associated with Northern California,…
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2 October
Livin’ on the Edge: The Time Aerosmith’s Music Video Was Filmed in Northern California
Aerosmith is kind of a big deal. In case you’ve been living in a cave for the past 45 years,…
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Sep- 2022 -28 September
Eel River Dam Removal is Moving Forward. It Will Create California’s Longest Free-Flowing River.
In April, PG&E’s 50-year license for the Eel River Dams expired, with the company opting against renewing the costly Potter…
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20 September
UFO Over Lake Tahoe – Proof of Aliens or Elaborate Hoax?
A video on Lake Tahoe went viral worldwide as UFO experts attempt to dissect if it shows proof of alien…
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18 September
The Mystery Behind Crater Lake’s Old Man
A trip to Oregon’s Crater Lake should be on every Northern California resident’s Bucket List. And while you’re there, it’s…
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Aug- 2022 -29 August
Inside the $75 Million Lake Tahoe Mega-Mansion with a Hillside Tram
One of the most expensive mansions on Lake Tahoe is worth around $75 million and it’s one of the coolest…
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28 August
The Adventures of Mark Twain in Northern California
People dream of coming to California to become the next Meryl Streep or Tom Hanks, but hardly the “father of…
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23 August
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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23 August
The West is on Fire: Short Film Documents the Lives of Surfing Firefighters in California
“I think that when people think of news here in California, they think of large-scale wildfires.” “The entire state’s a…
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23 August
Help One of Our Favorite NorCal Photographers as He Deals with 3rd Battle with Cancer
Jake and his daughter in the flowers below Lassen Peak Some of our favorite content in Northern California comes from…
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