stories
-
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…
Read More » -
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…
Read More » -
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…
Read More » -
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…
Read More » -
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…
Read More » -
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…
Read More » -
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…
Read More » -
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…
Read More » -
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…
Read More » -
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…
Read More » -
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,…
Read More » -
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”…
Read More » -
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.…
Read More » -
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…
Read More » -
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…
Read More » -
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,…
Read More » -
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.…
Read More » -
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…
Read More » -
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…
Read More » -
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.…
Read More » -
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…
Read More » -
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…
Read More » -
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…
Read More » -
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…
Read More » -
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…
Read More » -
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…
Read More » -
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…
Read More » -
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…
Read More » -
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…
Read More » -
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…
Read More » -
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…
Read More » -
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…
Read More » -
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.…
Read More » -
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?…
Read More » -
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…
Read More » -
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…
Read More » -
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…
Read More » -
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…
Read More » -
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,…
Read More » -
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…
Read More » -
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…
Read More » -
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…
Read More » -
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…
Read More » -
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…
Read More » -
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…
Read More » -
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…
Read More » -
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…
Read More » -
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…
Read More » -
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…
Read More » -
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.…
Read More » -
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…
Read More » -
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…
Read More » -
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…
Read More » -
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…
Read More » -
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…
Read More » -
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…
Read More » -
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…
Read More » -
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,…
Read More » -
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,…
Read More » -
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…
Read More » -
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…
Read More » -
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…
Read More » -
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…
Read More » -
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…
Read More » -
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…
Read More » -
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…
Read More » -
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…
Read More » -
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…
Read More » -
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…
Read More » -
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…
Read More » -
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…
Read More » -
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…
Read More » -
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…
Read More » -
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…
Read More » -
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…
Read More » -
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…
Read More » -
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.…
Read More » -
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…
Read More » -
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…
Read More » -
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,…
Read More » -
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…
Read More » -
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…
Read More » -
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…
Read More » -
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…
Read More » -
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…
Read More » -
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…
Read More » -
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…
Read More » -
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…
Read More » -
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…
Read More » -
History
Historic Photos Show Lumberjacks Chopping Down the Giant Northern California Redwoods
Northern California is known for being the home of some of the oldest and largest trees in the world. The…
Read More » -
Stories
Guardians of the River: How the Yurok Tribe is Fighting to Save their Sacred Klamath
“Being a Yurok person, the river is our lifeblood. It’s just as important as the air we breathe.” The project…
Read More » -
Stories
Literary Review: ‘A Wall of White’ Humanizes One of the Deadliest Avalanches in American History
The list of special places in NorCal is endless, but besides getting out there and forming your own impressions, it’s…
Read More » -
Stories
Ancient Aliens Dives Deep into the Mysteries and Unexplained Disappearances of Mount Shasta
The mysteries of Mount Shasta have been heavily documented on this website. Our admitted obsession with the iconic mountain and…
Read More » -
Destinations
22 Jaw-Dropping Outdoor Destinations to Visit in Northern California in 2022
We did it! We survived 2021! With a crazy year in the rearview mirror, it’s about time we look forward…
Read More » -
Tahoe
Short Film Explains the Importance of Removing the Word ‘Squaw’ from the Tahoe Basin
We have seen the typical “comment section warrior” nonsense when it comes to the name change surrounding what is now…
Read More » -
North Coast
Unique Northern California Redwood Forest Permanently Returned to its Indigenous Tribe
Tc’ih-Léh-Dûñ, 523 acres of forestland donated to the InterTribal Sinkyone Wilderness Council. Photo by Max Forster, courtesy of Save the…
Read More » -
North Coast
Everything You Need to Know About Jason Segel’s New Movie Filmed Entirely in Northern California
At the end of 2020, a Hollywood film crew descended on Humboldt County to film Jason Segel’s newest movies. With…
Read More » -
History
These Stagecoach Drivers Were the Rock Stars of California in the 1800’s
Mark Twain tried, but no matter how good a storyteller you are, you just can’t make this stuff up. Historic…
Read More » -
Stories
Dog Lost in Caldor Fire Found 4 Months Later in the Snowy Sierra
Photo: Tahoe PAWS a Community Animal Response Team When the Caldor Fire moved through the mountains west of South Lake…
Read More » -
Stories
The Top 10 Active NorCal Stories from 2021
Another great year here at Active NorCal! The New Year brings new vitality at the Active NorCal office as we…
Read More »