Best epic backpacking trip: John Muir Trail
Best mountain climb: Mount Shasta
Best deal: $15 bay boat tours at Fisherman’s Wharf
Most dramatic easy hike with view: Pohono Trail, Yosemite National Park
Most difficult-to-reach wilderness lake: Little South Fork Lake, Trinity Alps Wilderness
Epic kayak run: Clavey Falls, Tuolumne River
Best mountain swimming hole: Dorris Lake out of Mono Hot Springs
Most pristine redwoods: Boy Scout Tree Trail, Jedediah Smith Redwoods
Best short backpack trip: Skyline-to-the-Sea, Big Basin headquarters to Sunset Camp
Prettiest ferns: Fern Canyon, Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
Best chance to see bears: Sequoia National Park
Best bald-eagle viewing: Klamath National Wildlife Refuge
Most difficult long hike: Hat Creek Rim section, Pacific Crest Trail
Best sea-otter viewing: Elkhorn Slough by kayak
Best scuba diving: Point Lobos Marine Reserve
Best RV sites: Seacliff State Beach, Monterey Bay
Finest luxury lodging: Post Ranch Inn, Big Sur
