stories
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Destinations
Celebrate Veteran’s Day at Living Memorial Sculpture Garden Near Mount Shasta
Photo: Discover Siskiyou Every year, Veteran’s Day sits as a reminder to all Americans about the sacrifice made by the…
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Stories
The Most Ridiculous Action Sequence from Indiana Jones was Filmed in Northern California
You’ll find no arguments against Indian Jones in this article. It’s truly one of the great film franchises ever. But…
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Stories
A Guide to Cutting Down Your Own Christmas Tree in the Northern California Wilderness
It’s that time of year again. With the holiday season upon us in Northern California, it’s time to knock the…
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History
The Legend of Snowshoe Thompson: The Founder of California Skiing
In the 1800’s, traveling across the Sierra Nevada in the middle of winter was rarely accomplished. Native Americans were usually…
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History
These Brothers Were Hanged in Redding in 1892. Their Hidden Treasure was Never Found.
On July 24th, 1892, a group of masked men stormed the Redding, California jail and dragged out two men accused…
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Stories
20 Horror Movies That Take Place in Northern California
Laurie Strode had a Northern California family reunion with her psychopathic brother Michael Myers in Halloween H2O Northern California is…
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Stories
50 Years Later, this Bigfoot Footage Filmed in Northern California Keeps the Legend Alive
Bigfoot remains one of the most popular legends and mysteries in the United States. Thousands of sightings and the never…
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History
Take a Walk Through History in this Ghost Town just Outside Redding, California
Shasta State Historic Park. Photo: Visit Redding In the mid-1800’s, the town of Shasta sitting just 6 miles west of…
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History
Remembering President JFK’s Trip to Northern California Just Weeks Before His Assassination
On November 22, 1963, President John Fitzgerald Kennedy was assassinated as his motorcade drove through Dallas, Texas. Less than two…
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Stories
Is the Next Big Earthquake Destined for Northern California?
Fires erupt all over San Francisco in the earthquake of 1906 On January 27, 1700, a six-hundred-mile-long wave struck the…
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History
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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Stories
Meet the Mount Shasta Lizard: The Largest Known Marine Reptile to Ever Live on Earth
Illustration of what the Shastasaurus could look like In 1893, Stanford University’s James Perrin Smith went of a fossil-collecting expedition…
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History
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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Stories
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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Stories
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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Shasta Cascade
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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Stories
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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Stories
The Oldest Lake in North America Sits Right Here in Northern California
We have plenty of beautiful and unique lakes throughout Northern California. From man-made lakes like Shasta and Oroville, to natural…
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Outdoors
Here’s the Secret to Snagging Northern California’s Most Popular Campsites
Camping in Northern California can be a challenging task as the high demand for state park campsites often results in…
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North Coast
The Magical Candelabra Trees of Northern California’s Lost Coast
Photo by Stephen Leonardi One of the most beautiful places on the planet sits in Northern California and you’ve probably never…
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Stories
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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Stories
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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Destinations
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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Destinations
Road Trippin’ Northern California’s Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway
Brought to you by Discover Siskiyou Mount Shasta overlooks much of the North State and provides a certain familiar presence.…
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History
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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Stories
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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History
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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Stories
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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Stories
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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North Coast
Short Film Documents Off-The-Grid Oasis in the Northern California Redwoods
In 1968, Charles Bello and his wife Vanna Rae bought 400 acres of redwood forested land in Mendocino County and…
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History
Remembering the Deadly 1996 Rockfall that Sent 90,000 Tons of Rock into Yosemite Valley
July 19, 2021 marked the 25th anniversary of the 1996 Happy Isles rockfall in Yosemite National Park. The deadly incident…
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Stories
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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Hikes
Outside Magazine Lists the Best Hikes in Northern California National Parks. Here’s Our Take.
Photo by Saketh Garuda A list of the best hikes in every National Park in America was compiled by Outside Magazine,…
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Stories
Lake Monsters: Here’s Why Sturgeon Grow to Be So Big in Shasta Lake
Massive sturgeon caught on Shasta Lake in 2018. Photo: Sou Saephan For anyone who’s been lucky enough to take a…
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Destinations
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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Stories
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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Stories
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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Stories
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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Hikes
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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Stories
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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History
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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Lassen
This Fascinating Northern California Lake Sits at 125 Degrees Year-Round
Boiling Springs Lake in Lassen Volcanic National Park. Photo: National Park Service The outdoor destinations in Lassen Volcanic National Park…
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North Coast
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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Stories
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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Lassen
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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Bay Area
Remembering the Serial Killer Who Terrorized Northern California Hikers in the 1980’s
A trail in Point Reyes National Seashore. Photo by Alexis Marts. In the wake of the arrest of the notorious Trailside…
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North Coast
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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Stories
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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Lassen
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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Outdoors
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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History
This Waterfall Was Once the Hideout of NorCal’s Most Notorious Stagecoach Robber
Every bandit needs a hideout, and it just so happens that one of the most prominent waterfalls in Northern California…
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Stories
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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Stories
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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Stories
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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History
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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Stories
Two Bridges with the Same Name Tell a Fascinating Story of Northern California’s History
In July 1848, John Bidwell discovered gold in a canyon of the Feather River, leading to the establishment of Bidwell’s…
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Stories
The Short and Spectacular History of the Lassen Peak Fire Lookout
The newly-built Lassen Peak fire lookout in 1913. Photo by Olan Hampton via NPS. In 1913, the Forest Service built…
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Video
Meet the Man Who Built an Off-the-Grid Watertopia Along the Trinity River
There are plenty of people who have built great properties in Northern California. While some people may point to the…
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Stories
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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History
The Story of Lassen’s Ishi – The Last ‘Wild’ Native American
It was August 19, 1911, when an unknown, “wild’ man emerged from the wilderness near Lassen Peak and into the…
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Stories
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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Stories
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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Outdoors
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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Video
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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History
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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Stories
Remembering the Massive Avalanche at Alpine Meadows that Killed 7 and Changed the Tahoe Community Forever
In the 70’s and 80’s, ski resorts were rated for their avalanche danger with a scale of A through F…
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Stories
Lake Tahoe a National Park? How Years of Decisions Shaped California’s Most Famous Lake.
Photo by Gordon Mak In 1861, Mark Twain camped on the shores of Lake Tahoe, captivated by its beauty. Unfortunately, he…
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Stories
This Northern California Town is Responsible for America’s First Bike Lane
The ever-popular bike lanes you see all around the country are a pretty new phenomenon. San Francisco received its first…
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Tahoe
Rules of NorCal: Don’t Drive to Tahoe on Friday
When planning a trip to Lake Tahoe, traffic delays are almost guaranteed if traveling on either Interstate 80 or Highway…
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Tahoe
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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Stories
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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Stories
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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History
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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Stories
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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History
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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Weather
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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Stories
The Legend of Captain Dick – The Hermit of Lake Tahoe’s Emerald Bay
Emerald Bay’s Fannette Island was once the home of Captain Dick. Photo by Patrick Minero. In the mid-1800’s, there weren’t many…
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North Coast
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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Stories
Remembering the Alien Sunrise Lenticular Cloud Over Mount Shasta that Went Massively Viral
It was a beautiful morning in Mount Shasta on February 12, 2020, when a rare lenticular cloud appeared over the…
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North Coast
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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Destinations
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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Shasta Cascade
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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History
72 Bars on One Road? The Legend of Mount Shasta’s Whiskey Row
The stories of Siskiyou County during the Gold Rush are like something out of a Wild West movie. The town…
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Shasta Cascade
Remembering the Historic Valentine Avalanche that Created a 30-Foot Wall of Snow on Mt. Shasta
On February 13, 2019, a giant avalanche slammed Mount Shasta, which has been come to be known as the Valentine…
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Yosemite-Mammoth
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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Shasta Cascade
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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Stories
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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Shasta Cascade
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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Eating
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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Tahoe
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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Destinations
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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History
The Story of the Donner Party: Deadly Mistakes Over the Snowy Sierra
Photo of James F. and Margaret Reed, who were members of the Donner Party I could have died so many…
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News
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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Stories
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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History
Remembering the Deadly Flood of 1955 that Put a NorCal Town Under 20 Feet of Water
It was just minutes past midnight of Christmas Eve 1955 when the Gum Tree Levee on the Feather River in…
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Stories
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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Yosemite-Mammoth
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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Tahoe
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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Stories
What’s the Deal with the Perfectly Symmetrical Tree Plots in the Sierra Nevada?
Google Earth If you were to approach these select plot of trees from the ground, you may not know something…
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History
The NorCal Town Named ‘Rough and Ready’ Once Seceded from the United States
The only way you’ve probably heard of Rough and Ready, California is if you’ve driven on Highway 20 between Yuba…
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