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Hiking Gear

13 BEST Hiking Leggings: Waterproof & for Cold/Heat [2023]

September 19, 2023 by Mimi McFadden
A woman in a blue backpack wearing an example of some of the best hiking leggings seen from behind as she walks down a dry grass-lined path in a California landscape of rolling golden hills.

The 13 Best Hiking Leggings to keep you comfortable, supported, and feeling free for your next outdoor adventure.

Categories Gear Tags Clothing, Hiking, Hiking Gear, Lifestyle Leave a comment

10 Best Hoka Running Shoes for the Road, Trail & More (2023)

September 16, 2023September 15, 2023 by Mimi McFadden
Best Hoka Running Shoes

The best Hoka running shoes that will cover all bases for your running needs: from city pavements to trail terrain.

Categories Gear Tags Camping Gear, Hiking, Hiking Gear, Lifestyle, Shoes, Travel Gear Leave a comment

11 BEST Hiking Shorts for Women in 2023 + Which to Avoid

September 27, 2023September 14, 2023 by Mimi McFadden
Best Hiking Shorts for Women

Here are the best hiking shorts and walking shorts for women to prep your closet for endless hiking adventures.

Categories Gear Tags Clothing, Hiking, Hiking Gear, Lifestyle, Travel Gear Leave a comment

Best Arc’teryx Jackets: Buyer’s Guide & Details [2023 Review]

September 26, 2023September 7, 2023 by Mimi McFadden
Two hikers wearing two of the best Arc'teryx jackets seen from behind wearing brightly-colored windbreakers and backpacks as they hike over a large boulder, with a mountain and yellow foliage beyond.

This article will help you find the best Arc’teryx jacket, whether you’re hiking through the Andes or trail running in the Appalachian Mountains.

Categories Gear Tags Clothing, Hiking Gear Leave a comment

62 Best Gifts for Hikers That They’ll Actually Use

September 19, 2023August 29, 2023 by Mimi McFadden
best gifts for hikers

The ultimate guide to the best gifts for hikers so you can find the perfect gift for any hiking enthusiast.

Categories Gear Tags Gift Guide, Hiking Gear 1 Comment

10 Best Compact Binoculars for Outdoor Activities (2023 Buying Guide)

July 15, 2023July 15, 2023 by Mimi McFadden
best compact binoculars

Last updated: July 15th, 2023 Short on time? Our pick for the best compact binoculars is the Zeiss Terra. The best compact binoculars for every outdoor activity – from wildlife viewing, birding, and whale watching to hiking and travel. If you’ve never brought along a good pair of binoculars on a hike or a trip, … Read more

Categories Gear Tags Hiking Gear Leave a comment

15 BEST Barefoot Hiking Boots & Shoes for Max Comfort [2023]

July 10, 2023July 4, 2023 by Mimi McFadden
A pair of feet wearing brown leather barefoot hiking boots, standing on a mossy boulder.

The best barefoot hiking boots to promote healthy feet on the trails.

Categories Gear Tags Hiking, Hiking Gear, Lifestyle, Shoes Leave a comment

15 BEST Baby Carriers & Toddler Carriers for Hiking in 2023

September 7, 2023June 29, 2023 by Mimi McFadden
A blonde woman wearing a yellow down jacket carries a baby in a backpack-style carrier in a rocky landscape.

This year, find the best baby carriers for hiking comfortably with kids.

Categories Gear Tags Hiking, Hiking Gear, Lifestyle Leave a comment

BEST Hiking Underwear for Women in 2023 [Breathable & Comfy]

July 18, 2023June 27, 2023 by Mimi McFadden
Best Hiking Underwear for Women

Your guide to the best hiking underwear for women to keep you dry and comfortable on the trails.

Categories Gear Tags Clothing, Hiking, Hiking Gear, Lifestyle Leave a comment

11 BEST Backpacking Rain Ponchos to Stay Dry in 2023

June 30, 2023June 27, 2023 by Mimi McFadden
best backpacking rain poncho

The best backpacking rain ponchos for every type of outdoor adventure this year.

Categories Gear Tags Hiking Gear Leave a comment
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✨SAVE this rooftop bar for the next time you’r ✨SAVE this rooftop bar for the next time you’re looking for good views in San Francisco✨ 

🏙️ Rising 120 feet above Market Street, Charmaine’s is located in the San Francisco Proper Hotel.

It’s right around the corner from the Orpheum Theatre and a great spot for a drink looking over the city on a nice day.

We went to Charmaine’s after seeing The Book of Mormon and it was the perfect way to end a relaxing Sunday afternoon in the city. Plus, it’s right near BART for easy transport!

Tip: Besides their delicious cocktails, I highly recommend ordering the pretzel rolls with the smoked pimento cheese dip. Yum. 

🍸What’s the best rooftop bar you’ve been to? 

Follow @theatlasheart for more bucket list ideas, local tips, and outdoor adventures in California. 
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#charmaines #rooftopbars #sanfrancisco #bayarea #northerncalifornia
✨SAVE this hike for your next trip to San Jose✨ 

🥾Mt Umunhum Peak Trail - 8 miles, 1188 elevation gain, 3.25 hours to complete
Trailhead: Start from Mt Umunhum Trail (37.159130, -121.876230)

Located in Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve, this hike features an 84.5-foot radar tower at the top that was used by the US Air Force during the Cold War. Before that, the Amah Mutsun tribal band inhabited the region. 

This was my 2nd of six peaks I’m hiking this year in the Bay Area. 

The trail had more tree coverage than I expected but it’s still a good idea to start as early as possible if you’re hiking in the summer or fall because San Jose gets HOT. 

Another tip: The trailhead is small and fills up quickly, by around 9 am on weekends. 

⛰️Have you hiked to the top of Mt. Umunhum? If you haven’t, are you adding it to your bucket list? 

Follow @theatlasheart for more bucket list ideas, local tips, and outdoor adventures in California. 
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#mtumunhum #sanjosehikes #sanjose #bayareahikes #bayarea #southbay #northerncalifornia
✨Anyone else craving some beautiful hikes near t ✨Anyone else craving some beautiful hikes near the water this summer?✨ 
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Here are my favorite hikes near the water that are around the Bay Area: 
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🥾Bodega Head Trail [1.7 miles] - The hike pictured here! Beautiful any time of the year, but I especially love this hike during spring and summer. Such a scenic and relaxing place to go for an easy hike. 
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🥾Lands End Trail [3.4 miles] - This easy coastal hike is fairly flat and gives you stunning views of the Golden Gate Bridge, as well as one of San Francisco’s most unique sights, the Sutro Baths.
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🥾Alamere Falls [13.8 miles] - One of the most popular hikes in Point Reyes National Seashore that features a waterfall that flows into the ocean. 
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🥾Point Pinole Regional Shoreline Loop [4.1 miles] - One of those tucked-away gems that offers beautiful viewpoints of the bay. 
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🥾Alpine Lake Loop Hike [10 miles] - One of my all-time favorite hikes near the water. This trail has a little bit of everything—calf-burning inclines, waterfalls, shade, lakes, and wide-open grasslands. If you’re looking for a shorter alternative, go for the Cataract Falls Trail [4.8 miles].
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🥾Mori Point Loop Trail [2.5 miles] - For unbeatable cliffside ocean views, Mori Point is the most popular lookout point in Pacifica.
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🥾Coastside Trail in Half Moon Bay [9.4 miles] - This flat trail takes you through four beaches in Half Moon Bay and provides ample coastal views throughout most of the journey. 
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🥾Old Landing Cove Trail [2.3 miles] - One of my favorite coastal hikes in Santa Cruz. Takes you past stunning viewpoints and hidden coves. Afterward, take in the sunset from West Cliff Drive nearby. 
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🥾Rubicon Trail in D.L. Bliss State Park [10 miles] - A little further in Lake Tahoe, but one of the prettiest hikes near the water in California and the best one to take in those lakeside views.
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Send this to the person you want to go hiking with this summer!☀️
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#coastalhikes #waterfallhikes #californiahikes #bayareahikes #sanfranciscohikes #sanfrancisco #bayarea #northerncalifornia
✨Looking for an alternative waterfall hike in Yo ✨Looking for an alternative waterfall hike in Yosemite?✨
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You’ve probably heard of Yosemite Falls, but Chilnualna Falls is a great alternative if you’re looking for a hike with fewer crowds.
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The nice thing about this hike is that the waterfall is at the start of the hike, so once you get past it, there’s significantly fewer people. And the rest of the hike is just as beautiful. There’s even a natural water slide towards the end of the hike! 
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What’s your favorite lesser known hike in Yosemite? 
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🥾Chilnualna Falls hike—7.7 miles, 2201 ft elevation gain, out-and-back 
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#chilnualnafalls #chilnualnafallshike #yosemitehikes #yosemitewaterfalls #yosemite #nationalparks #california
✨Looking for a fun and relaxing day trip from Sa ✨Looking for a fun and relaxing day trip from San Francisco this summer?✨
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Let me introduce you to CALISTOGA! 
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Only about an hour and a half from SF, Calistoga is part of the Napa Valley and feels far away from the hustle and bustle of the Bay Area. 
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Besides wine tasting, It’s also known for its geothermal activity and mud baths. Suneel and I, of course, experienced all of that and more while we were in town. Here’s my full itinerary:
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🧇Grab breakfast: For a casual diner feel that’s right in downtown, head to Cafe Sarafornia. If you’re looking for something more upscale and Instagrammable, head to Sam’s Social Club. We liked both, but have more of a soft spot for local diners. 
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📍Head over to Calistoga’s Old Faithful Geyser to watch it blow. When I was there, it erupted close to every 30-45 minutes. While you wait for it to erupt, there’s a farm with cute animals on the property where you can go say hi to the goats. 
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🍷Go wine tasting! This is Napa Valley, after all. I highly recommend Tedeschi Family Winery for the delicious wine and beautiful property that isn’t as busy as some other Napa Wineries. For a place closer to town, you can’t go wrong with Tank Garage Winery. Grab some sandwiches from Palisades Eatery afterward. 
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💆‍♀Experience a mud bath and soak in a hot spring. We booked our mud baths at Golden Haven Spa and then soaked in their hot spring-fed pool, but there are plenty of places around town to book this experience. The best way to describe the mud bath was...weird, but also fun and a very unique experience. Make sure to book this well in advance or look for last-minute cancellations. 
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🍝End the night with a romantic dinner at Lovina. This is such a cozy place that has delicious food with a gorgeous outdoor patio, perfect for summer. 
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🍺If you’re looking to keep the night going, head to Susie’s Bar. We love a good dive bar, and Susie’s did not disappoint. 
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#calistoga #napa #napavalley #hotsprings #northerncalifornia #bayarea
✨I still can’t get over those Mt. Tam views✨ ✨I still can’t get over those Mt. Tam views✨

If you want this view without the work, there’s a parking lot near the summit of Mt. Tam. Just put in Mt. Tamalpais State Park Visitor Center into your GPS, near the East Peak. It’s $8 to park and you’ll want to bring that in exact cash. 
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There’s also a cute museum at the Visitor Center that talks about the railroad that used to operate up there, as well as the Gravity Car Barn if you want to see how people used to ride down the mountain. 
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If you’re looking for more of an adventure to add on to the view, I highly recommend hiking to the peak of Mt Tam from Stinson Beach area instead of driving. 
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This is one of the most beautiful hikes in the Bay Area, and will take you past lush forests as well as expansive views like this along the way. 
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The hike we did was just over 15 miles roundtrip and worth every step. And honestly, it made the view at the top that much more worth it. 
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#mttam #mttamalpais #bayarea #sanfrancisco #northbay #californiahikes
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