California never ceases to amaze me. It’s ranked as the #1 state in terms of beauty and for the lovers of the outdoors, it is a mecca for hiking. I wish I never left California but because of the housing boom and the incredibly high prices, my husband and I chose to live in Texas after our six-year expat stint in Japan—a decision we made 15 years ago I now regret. My family first migrated to a suburb in Los Angeles when I was fifteen years old. I loved the racial and cultural diversity of SoCal (Southern California) that makes the city more colorful, vibrant, and exciting. LA is made up of several ethnic enclaves such as K-town (Korean), J-town (Japanese), Filipinotown, Little Saigon, little Armenian, Little Ethiopia, Thaitown, and more—an example of its multicultural character. Something I’ve been missing out living in Texas.

Northern California is just as beautiful and as culturally refined. If SoCal has LA, the beaches and Hollywood, NorCal has San Francisco, the winery, and Silicon Valley. The weather in the south is similar to a mediterranean climate whereas it is much colder in the north. I have always preferred Southern California over Northern California during my younger years but since hiking became a big part of my life, I discovered the northern side is abundant in natural beauty and great for outdoor pursuits.


My cousin and I originally planned to hike Mission Peak. But because of the unusually hot weather that day in the Bay Area, we ditched that idea since Mission Peak’s trails do not provide shade (unfortunately due to the over cutting of trees). We drove to Big Basin Redwoods but the usual route was closed for traffic and the reroute would add an extra 30 minutes to our drive. Thus we decided to hike at Castle Rock.
We weren’t disappointed because Castle Rock, located in the Santa Cruz mountains, is abundant in solitude and wilderness. Not to mention the high cliffs and sweeping vistas where visitors enjoy a panoramic views of Monterey Bay.
The hike can be tailored to one’s ability. There are different options to choose from on a day hike: 1, 3, 5, 6 mile loops or a 9.3 miles to Waterman Gap Trail Camp (which is 5 hours one way). The trails connect to nearby state parks and open preserves, allowing visitor travel from skyline to the sea. I met a young man who will backpack the 30-mile Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail, which will take him from Castle Rock State Park to Big Basin to Waddel Beach. I asked where he would be spending nights, he said he will sleep on the beach. I wished him luck and watched him leave for his adventure.
We met a volunteer who accompanied us in the first hour of our hike (she later proceeded to Goat Trail, a 5-mile loop). We were pressed with time so we just wanted to do the 3-mile loop. I haven’t gone on long walks for probably over a month now (since I found out I couldn’t go to Nepal, my motivation wore off). My cousin and I were panting in the beginning of the hike since the trail was an uphill climb. The volunteer was wondering why we were short of breath “at a young age” (she assumed we were college-aged women)! We laughed and told her we weren’t as young as she thought we were. That made our day and inspired us to walk faster! 😄
The volunteer left the two of us us to navigate on our own. We realized it’s easy to get lost in the wilderness because the directions in the trails weren’t as clearly marked. We suspected we were lost when we couldn’t locate the waterfalls but found the rock where we can take photos of the stunning view. The park ranger warned us in the beginning to be careful when taking our pictures on the rock since it is a thousand foot down if we fell. My cousin and I were laughing while taking our pictures and joked that if we fell, it would be an embarrassing news of how we died: taking a selfie!

On our way back, we saw a family of reindeers but they stopped moving when they heard us coming. We also paused to listen to the woodpeckers.
Witnessing the reindeers and listening to the the woodpeckers were a great way to end our hike. Although, while on the trail, I started to feel sad thinking about all the trips I want to take in my life. Nepal, Patagonia, Machu Picchu, Camino de Santiago, Bhutan, Cuba, Morocco, and the Middle East (especially Iran)….not too long ago those trips didn’t seem impossible but now I’m afraid they only belong in my dreams.
Incredible beautiful place. Thank You presenting this.
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Nice! the trails looked like in NZ 😉 one of your rock photo looks like an eagle!
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I have cousins who live in NZ. I’d love to visit one day.
You have a good eye to notice the rock shaped like an eagle!
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Yes another blogger told me that too and my former boss 😉 I love photography but no proper camera so I just tend to look at other peoples photo and can see the beauty of it. Thanks for the compliment.
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I don’t have the proper camera too. But I love looking at beautiful photographs. Maybe someday I will have the patience to own a nice camera and learn how to use one lol!
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I too love CA. I am happy in Seattle, but do enjoy my times when I have visited there.
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I’ve been to seattle and it’s just as beautiful!! I am seriously thinking of moving back to California. I can no longer live in a red state.
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I hope you can!
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What a nice intro! Love the metaphor you used there for hikers’ spot (sanctuary if you may). I somehow instantly connected to it considering my location.
Anyway, Northern California is beyond question a beautiful place especially for hiking I must say.
Hiking is one of the things I still miss up to now. My last was in 2012–a month before I flew to the Middle East. Walking is the closest equivalent to it here in Riyadh where desert plains dominate the scenery.
I was imagining I was the one who gave you that compliment on your young looks. And if I were you, it would really made my day.
Looking forward to your trip to Nepal for Everest. Stay positive. Life is full of surprises.
Cheers!
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Sony, you have a gift of making people happy! I wish I can be more like you, always so insightful. You truly have a way with words! Thank you for reading my post! I have been a little unmotivated lately with my blog, always finding myself in a daydreaming state 😊 and so I can’t find time to write.
So so happy you’re freer now (from work) and hopefully you can find to do things for yourself!
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California is somewhere I would very much like to explore. I never knew it was ranked the number 1 state. But I can see why judging from your stunning photos from your hike.
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California has pretty much everything –from outdoor activities to night life to great food, you can easily find them there! Hopefully you can visit someday!
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You never know! Like you, there are still so many places I dream of visiting, walks I wanna do, and I also don’t know when/if I’ll be able to do them. Sometimes you can “just do it” but sometimes it takes more than willpower, especially if forcing yourself to make it happen would mean abandoning other responsibilities. But hey…who knows? 🙂 While we wait for the opportunity, we work on ourselves, so when the time comes, we’re ready. xoxo
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HI Boots. This looks like a beautiful walk. Plenty of time for those trips. Remember you’re young and look even younger! Like the volunteer said. Lots of places to explore locally too… Stay healthy and happy. Louise x
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You are right Louise! Sometimes I get anxious but even if I won’t be able to go to any of those countries, life still goes on. I realized that I can always substitute it with what I can do (places I can visit realistically)…for now! Thanks for the wonderful advice. Although I’m not as young as you think haha!
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and I’m older than that which is why I know you have time. Haha!
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If course we all have time! My mother in law whose in her 80’s just went to Mongolia! 😄
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Good on her. I want to be like her.
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We are very fortunate to have so many wonderful outdoor options in my great state. Lovely post!
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Thanks so much! I agree you’re truly fortunate! I want to go back there for good!
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Which area do you think you would choose if you came back? It’s such a big state. (I am partial to Northern California of course.)
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Since my son is at Stanford, Northern California of course! 😜
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Bay Area is so expensive…check out the greater Sacramento area. Close to Bay Area but less expensive and much closer to mountains and hiking. Otherwise look way north on the 101 above Marin. I think it gets less expensive up that way.
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That’s funny because we were thinking of Sacramento! My husband’ brother lives there and you are right it’s not as expensive as the Bay Area!
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Even west Sacramento is a good place to check out. It gets you a tiny bit closer to the bay and prices are right on houses.
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Thanks! We will definitely check it out when we go there.
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