There is no better oasis than being in nature. Oasis means different things to different people. Maybe your oasis equals solitude, or maybe it means experiencing scenery unlike what you’re accustomed to looking at daily. Our list of hidden oases in Northern California has something for everyone. Cool off in a waterfall, visit a high alpine lake, or relax at a suburban beach park. Check out our list below:
- Potem Falls- Round Mountain
rCrundwell/Flickr Cool off in the chilly pool at the base of these falls. You don’t have to hike very far to get to these falls. Right off of Fenders Ferry Road in Round Mountain, you’ll drive a short ways on a gravel road and come to a small parking area. It’s a short but steep trek to the falls from the parking area so be sure to wear good shoes. If you’d rather jump in than wade, there is a rope swing tied to a tall tree.
- Sutter’s Mill Replica - Coloma
Nick Ares/Flickr In the heart of Coloma, you’ll find lots of green space along the river. You can also check out Sutter’s Mill Replica, the place where gold was discovered, which sparked the California Gold Rush. There are several picnic tables shaded by oak trees and plenty of space for picnic blankets. Park in Mill Parking, right next to the river.
- Rancho Seco Recreational Park- Herald
Stuart Rankin/Flickr Located next to a former nuclear power station, Rancho Seco Recreational Park is an oasis just south of Sacramento. A bird watcher’s paradise, visitors will see large flocks of blackbirds fly around the lake, plus hawks, white egrets, and blue and gray heron. The bucolic farm land draws fishermen and families having picnics in the summer, but for most of the year it’s surprisingly empty.
- Consumnes River Preserve- Galt
Vince Horiuchi/500px via Getty Images Did you know that one the state’s largest nature preserves is just outside Sacramento? Consumnes River Preserve is over 50,000 acres of nature that is packed with wildlife and wetlands. You can hike or boat through the preserve. The boardwalk trail through the preserve makes it a great place to visit year round.
- McNears Beach Park- San Rafael
Marin County Parks Website This 55-acre greenspace on San Pablo Bay is a little oasis next to the city. While it usually draws a crowd, the area is spacious enough for visitors to spread out. There are picnic tables and benches practically right on the water. Bring a blanket and a warm jacket since weather on the bay can be deceptively chilly. This beach even made our list of the best swimming spots in the Bay Area.
- Upper Faucherie Lake Falls #1- Sierraville
Erik Mason/AllTrails Even avid hikers don’t know about these falls, so you may have them all to yourself. The out-and-back trail to the falls is about a mile. Frequent hikers say the road to the parking area is high clearance only so make sure your vehicle is equipped to handle the road. Once you reach the falls, enjoy a swim in the chilly water.
- Greenhorn Park- Yreka
half-Brit/TripAdvisor You can easily spend an hour at this park on a beautiful reservoir. There is a playground as well as numerous trails but the main draw is the old gold mining equipment. Check out the giant wheel, the mill, and the blacksmith shop.
Honorable mentions:
rCrundwell/Flickr
Cool off in the chilly pool at the base of these falls. You don’t have to hike very far to get to these falls. Right off of Fenders Ferry Road in Round Mountain, you’ll drive a short ways on a gravel road and come to a small parking area. It’s a short but steep trek to the falls from the parking area so be sure to wear good shoes. If you’d rather jump in than wade, there is a rope swing tied to a tall tree.
Nick Ares/Flickr
In the heart of Coloma, you’ll find lots of green space along the river. You can also check out Sutter’s Mill Replica, the place where gold was discovered, which sparked the California Gold Rush. There are several picnic tables shaded by oak trees and plenty of space for picnic blankets. Park in Mill Parking, right next to the river.
Stuart Rankin/Flickr
Located next to a former nuclear power station, Rancho Seco Recreational Park is an oasis just south of Sacramento. A bird watcher’s paradise, visitors will see large flocks of blackbirds fly around the lake, plus hawks, white egrets, and blue and gray heron. The bucolic farm land draws fishermen and families having picnics in the summer, but for most of the year it’s surprisingly empty.
Vince Horiuchi/500px via Getty Images
Did you know that one the state’s largest nature preserves is just outside Sacramento? Consumnes River Preserve is over 50,000 acres of nature that is packed with wildlife and wetlands. You can hike or boat through the preserve. The boardwalk trail through the preserve makes it a great place to visit year round.
Marin County Parks Website
This 55-acre greenspace on San Pablo Bay is a little oasis next to the city. While it usually draws a crowd, the area is spacious enough for visitors to spread out. There are picnic tables and benches practically right on the water. Bring a blanket and a warm jacket since weather on the bay can be deceptively chilly. This beach even made our list of the best swimming spots in the Bay Area.
Erik Mason/AllTrails
Even avid hikers don’t know about these falls, so you may have them all to yourself. The out-and-back trail to the falls is about a mile. Frequent hikers say the road to the parking area is high clearance only so make sure your vehicle is equipped to handle the road. Once you reach the falls, enjoy a swim in the chilly water.
half-Brit/TripAdvisor
You can easily spend an hour at this park on a beautiful reservoir. There is a playground as well as numerous trails but the main draw is the old gold mining equipment. Check out the giant wheel, the mill, and the blacksmith shop.
French Gulch County Park- French Gulch
This patch of green straddles Clear Creek in Shasta County. You can picnic, play horseshoes, and play in the creek. French Gulch County Park is located in what was once a major gold mining area. You might even find little flecks of gold in the water! Not to be confused with French Gulch Campground near Bakersfield, this out-of-the-way park is a tiny oasis that few people know about. Dogs are welcome.
Beardsley Day Use- Pinecrest
This day-use area on Beardsley Lake has picnic tables and restrooms for visitors. Open April through December, this spot is great for fishing and swimming.
How do you define an oasis? What relatively unknown place in Northern California is your hidden oasis?
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Address: Sutter’s Mill Replica, Coloma Rd, Coloma, CA 95613, USAAddress: McNears Beach Park, 201 Cantera Way, San Rafael, CA 94901, USAAddress: Upper Faucherie Lake Falls #1, Sierraville, CA 96126, USAAddress: Rancho Seco Recreational Area, 14960 Twin Cities Rd, Herald, CA 95638, USAAddress: Cosumnes River Preserve, 13501 Franklin Blvd, Galt, CA 95632, USAAddress: Greenhorn Park, Yreka, CA 96097, USAAddress: Potem Falls, California 96003, USA
