One of the best aspects of the California coast is that it generally offers a mild and hospitable climate for outdoor recreation year-round.

And fortunately, hundreds of miles of serene coastal trails make our rugged landscape accessible. Whether you're interested in a casual walk along bluffs above crashing surf or a longer excursion into the coastal mountains high above the Pacific, there are no shortage of paths cut out for you.

Between the Oregon border and Big Sur, outings range from wandering through a fairy-tale land of the giant trees of the Redwood Empire to a multi-day, tide-timed trek along the Lost Coast, to a stroll to a waterfall plunging into the ocean at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park.

Where to start might you ask? We pulled together a list, oriented north to south, to help you start exploring some of coastal Northern California's finest. See all of the adventures at outdoorproject.com.

Alamere Falls, Point Reyes National Seashore.(Monica Ralston)