stories
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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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Weather
An Atmospheric River is Headed Towards Northern California. What Exactly Does That Mean?
The next week is expected to see a massive atmospheric river enter Northern California (and probably more behind it), bringing…
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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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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
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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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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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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Events
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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Stories
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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Stories
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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North Coast
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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Stories
How Skiing Down Volcanoes Became a Time-Honored Tradition in Northern California
Volcanoes are the kind of geological formations that tend to inspire awe. Towering above everything else, they seem like a…
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Uncategorized
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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Stories
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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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
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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News
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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History
The Bizarre Story of the Horse that Summited Mount Shasta in 1903
Photo by Sebastien Goldberg Who isn’t fascinated with standing on top of NorCal’s premier active volcano, the formidable Mt. Shasta?…
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News
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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Shasta Cascade
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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Stories
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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Outdoors
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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Stories
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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Stories
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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Stories
The Legends and Mysteries of Siskiyou County
Photo by Marco Bicca It’s well documented that the areas surrounding Mount Shasta are full of legends and mysteries. From paranormal…
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Outdoors
5 Survival Lessons From the Northern California Man Lost in Yosemite For Nearly a Week
Photo by Jason Strull When Alan Chow solo-hiked into the Yosemite National Park wilderness in the spring of 2018, he had…
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Wildlife
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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History
Remembering the Deadly 75-Foot Tidal Wave that Leveled Crescent City in 1964
Beginning in Northern California and running all the way up to Alaska in the Pacific Ocean sits multiple fault lines…
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Outdoors
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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Stories
Could Mount Shasta Bring America’s Next Great Volcanic Eruption?
The recent volcanic history of Mount Shasta eludes us. For a long time, the last eruption was believed to be…
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Stories
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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Outdoors
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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Outdoors
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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Stories
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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History
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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History
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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Stories
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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Stories
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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History
This Popular Northern California Destination was Once the Scene of a Bloody Battle in 1855
Photo by Brandon DesJarlais We know Castle Crags as the beautiful Northern California wilderness area settled just between Shasta Lake and…
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North Coast
‘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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Stories
This Underwater Trail in Lake Tahoe is Home to Shipwrecks and Other Historic Artifacts
The history of Lake Tahoe sits at the bottom of its crystal-clear water and it’s now home to an underwater…
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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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Video
See What it’s Like to be a Smokejumper in Northern California
It’s fire season in NorCal, which means we must keep in mind the brave men and women who put their…
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Outdoors
An Oral History of the Cantara Chemical Spill on the Sacramento River
Northern California is no stranger to disasters. Over time we’ve lived through earthquakes, volcanos, firenados, floods, mudslides and avalanches. Would…
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Stories
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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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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Stories
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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Stories
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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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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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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North Coast
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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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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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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Video
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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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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Sacramento
The Largest Corn Maze in the World Sits Right Here in Northern California
In Dixon, California sits a 63-acre fall utopia with a pumpkin patch, hay rides and the largest corn maze in…
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Stories
Want to See What the Lemurian City in Mt. Shasta Looks Like? Here Are Illustrations From the Man Who Claims to Have Visited It.
Rendition of the city of Telo in Mount Shasta from Lowell Johnson In 2021 we learned about Lowell Johnson, the…
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History
The Yosemite Camping Trip that Changed America
I call it a successful camping trip if I don’t forget the mosquito repellant and a roll of TP. But…
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History
How John Muir Almost Died on the Slopes of Mount Shasta
Many people take the slopes of Mount Shasta for granted. You may see images of people from all over the…
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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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Tahoe
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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Uncategorized
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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Shasta Cascade
The 5 Best Places to Go Stargazing Around Redding, California
Brought to you by Choose Redding Stars over Chaos Crags When summer arrives in Northern California, the night sky comes…
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Stories
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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Video
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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Stories
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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Outdoors
Yosemite is One of the Most Deadly Rock Climbing Destinations in the World. That’s Why It’s So Popular for Climbers.
Photo by Billy Onjea There are inherit dangers in any rock climbing scenario. Sturdy equipment, knowledge of your surroundings and climbing…
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Sacramento
The Bats of the Yolo Causeway Marvel Onlookers with Nightly ‘Batnadoe’
Flickr/Bev Sykes Every summer just west of Sacramento, roughly a quarter of a million migrating Mexican free-tailed bats settle at…
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Stories
The Mysterious Case of the UFO that Flew Over Northern California
The incident began at about 4:30 pm on a seemingly normal day in 2017 when the air traffic controller from…
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Stories
Nostalgic Northern California National Park Posters to Hang in Your Home
Rob Decker grew up in the Bay Area and found a love for National Parks at a young age. He…
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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
The Story Behind the Famed Traffic Sign that Kept Getting Stolen in Weed, California
There have been far too many giggles from people driving through Northern California near Mount Shasta who come across the…
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North Coast
Watch Rob Lowe Search for Bigfoot in the Northern California Wilderness
It’s no secret that Northern California sits as the unofficial home of Bigfoot. So when Rob Lowe and his sons…
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History
The History Behind the Extravagant Castle Along the McCloud River
You’ve probably heard of the Hearst Castle, the magnificent residence of newspaper mogul William Randolph Hearst. But have you heard…
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Stories
Redding Woodworker Creates $65k Table from 1,500-Year-Old Redwood Tree
A woodworking company in Redding recently created a table from a 1,500-year-old redwood tree, selling it to a local restaurant…
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History
The Real Life Zorro: The Life and Legend of Joaquin Murieta
Some say he was a good man turned renegade when all he held dear was taken from him. Others claim…
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Video
Big Basin’s Story: How a Wildfire Completely Changed California’s Oldest State Park
On August 18, 2020, the CZU Lightning Complex Fire blazed through California’s oldest state park – the Big Basin Redwoods.…
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Stories
How We Witnessed the Filming of Top Gun: Maverick in Northern California
It was a beautiful morning in February 2020 when Brien O’Brien (Bob) and I began our 9-mile hike to Feather…
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Stories
How the Carr Fire Ushered ‘The New Normal’ into Northern California
On July 23rd, 2018, a flat tire on a trailer sparked a wildfire in the Whiskeytown National Recreation Area. 39…
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Wildlife
An Ode to Squirrels: The Badass Rodents Living in Your Backyard
Photo by Simone Mascellari When a buddy asked if I had seen any of the “Squirrel vs. Rattlesnake” videos on YouTube,…
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History
The History of NorCal Names – How Redding Was Once Named ‘Reading’
Photo courtesy of the Shasta Historical Foundation Redding, California sits center stage in Northern California, nestled comfortably smack dab in…
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History
This Northern California Ghost Town is Cursed, According to its Visitors
Flickr/Robert Shea The workers at the Bodie State Historic Park are used to receiving letters in the mail talking about…
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Stories
Experience the Magical Sunflower Fields of Northern California
Photo: Pixabay During the summertime in Northern California, you may have found yourself lucky to drive through Woodland, Davis or…
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Sacramento
An Urban Hike to Explore Sacramento’s Spectacular Murals
Improv Alley in Sacramento’s Midtown District It was a beautiful day in Sacramento so I set out to take an…
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History
The Good Guys and Bad Guys of Historic Northern California – Part 1
Hollywood is obsessed with “good guys and bad guys,” and why not? There’s something very satisfying when good triumphs over…
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Stories
The Zodiac Signs as Northern California Destinations
Just like human beings around the world, the destinations of Northern California have distinct characteristics that can bring out thoughts…
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Stories
Why Are There Old Train Tracks Going Into Lake Tahoe?
If you’ve ever explored the breathtaking beaches of Lake Tahoe, you may have noticed a rare sight of railroad tracks…
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Stories
The Rich History of Star Wars in Northern California
It was in the 1950’s, just east of the Bay Area in Modesto, California, where a young man named George…
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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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History
Courageous Explorer or Bloodthirsty Killer? The Sobering Truth About Kit Carson in Northern California
Who hasn’t heard of Kit Carson, the steely mountain man, courageous explorer, military hero, character in numerous dime novels 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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Yosemite-Mammoth
The Weird Controversy Behind the New ‘Tenaya Stone’ at Disneyland
Photo: Disneyland Resort Disneyland recently opened the Tenaya Stone Spa at the Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, boasting a…
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News
Geologists War ‘Ring of Fire’ Volcanoes in Northern California are Due to Erupt
Photo by Deanna Lewis With the volcanic eruption of Kilauea in Hawaii last year, geologists are on high alert for the…
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