Northern California Regional Overview
From the 350-foot-tall redwoods to the pineapple-sized buds to the relentless 30-foot surf to the sharks as big as RVs to the sheer awe of surfing in the shadow of the Golden Gate Bridge, Northern California's coast (maybe more than anywhere else in the world) is well equipped to make you feel Lilliputian. Humans are truly second-class citizens here as north Pacific storms throw their weight around, mercilessly torturing the coastline and whisking surfers and residents indoors for days and weeks on end. The elements are harsh, the surf is extremely fickle and the weather is usually 50 shades of gray. If you are insistent on rolling the dice, bring wads of gas money, patience, endurance, strength, rain gear, a 5-millimeter fullsuit (with hood, booties and gloves), big-wave boards and a low profile. North of the Golden Gate Bride, California's coast is sparsely populated at best and is certainly not for everyone, but the scenery is enchanting, whether we're talking about magnificent Bodega Bay in Sonoma County or the raw power of the Pacific up near the Oregon border, and you may find yourself slipping into some heavy double-overhead caverns with no one watching except some gulls and sea lions. | Related Videos: |  | CALI FOR BETTER OR WORSE
(10/15/09) Check out California's best spots touring border to border with local pros showing you the way | NORCAL COUSINS FIRE UP
(09/11/09) Tyler Payne, Colin Dwyer, and Travis Payne blow up in fun Northern California surf | STEPH GILMORE IN NORCAL
(09/06/09) Stephanie Gilmore and Tom Curren hit the frigid Norcal water for a fun surf | THE UNION EXPRESS
(05/29/09) Timmy Curran takes a surf trip through California by train in "Union Express." Along the way he makes various stops to surf with close friends | Go to All Related Content for Northern California | |
