Rock Climbing
Butte County: Butte County is where the Shasta Cascades meet the Sierra Nevadas, offering a host of adventures for climbers. In Chico, Upper Bidwell Park features top-roped climbs up to 150 ft. The Bald Rock climbing area in Oroville boasts 15 boulder climbs, and just outside the town, Grizzly Dome has over 25 climbing routes.
Placer County: Climber Alex Honnold, the first person to ascend El Capitan without ropes, considers Placer County one of his favorite climbing spots. The area has climbs for all levels that feature great rock and great views. Top spots include Donner Summit, Big Chief and Quarry Park Adventure.
Yosemite: Yosemite National Park is the birthplace of rock climbing. Join a guided climb with The Yosemite Mountaineering School or challenge yourself on dozens of crags. El Capitan and Half Dome are the iconic climbs for master climbers.
Surfing
Santa Cruz: Mainland USA surfing was born in Santa Cruz. Today visitors can surf the iconic waves of Steamer Lane, visit the Santa Cruz surfing museum, and shop at O’Neil’s, wetsuit inventor Jack O’Neils original surf shop.
Bass Lake: For a different spin on surfing, try your hand at the mellower wake surfing on Bass Lake. You’ll ride behind a boat simply surfing in its wake, enjoying the crystal blue water and mountain views.
San Simeon: With its clear water, favorable winds, wide swell window and many rideable waves, Pico Creek in San Simeon is a surfer’s paradise. Its reef break means smooth riding no matter the conditions.
Torrance: Stretching between Redondo Beach and Malaga Cove, Torrance Beach is a crowd-free hidden gem in the Los Angeles area. It’s warm waves and lack of crowds make it a great place to hang ten.
Conejo Valley: Start the day riding the iconic waves of Malibu’s Zuma Beach. It’s one of the longest surfing beaches in California and prized for its wide sand beaches and clean water conditions. Its famous swells were some of the first to be well known internationally.
Dana Point: As home to world’s first retail surf shop, Hobie Surf Shop, and the site of the infamous killer Dana Point surf break, Dana Point is a surfer’s dream. Experts should head to Salt Creek Beach, while newbies and families will appreciate the waves at Doheny State Beach. The Girl in the Curl Surf Shop has offered surfing lessons since 1987.
Skating
Vacaville: Home of professional skateboarder, Stefan Janoski, Vacaville’s Three Oaks Skate Park offers both street features and shallow bowls. In town, stop at one of the local skate shops and pick up a pair of Janoski’s shoes, which have the word Vacaville incorporated in the design.
Multiple Olympic Options
Truckee: Start your day in Truckee rock climbing on Donner Summit or exploring the famous Tram Face at Squaw Valley, then in the afternoon head to the Truckee Skatepark or the indoor/outdoor skate facilities at Woodward Tahoe. During the summer, skate camps are offered.
Tahoe: Home to the 1960 Winter Olympics, North Lake Tahoe has plenty to whet your Summer Olympic appetite. Climbers can ascend the new Tahoe Via Ferrata, a protected route that gives both beginners and experts the chance to experience the thrill of climbing a large rock face guided by Alpenglow Expeditions experts. Water babies can wake surf when seasonally large lake swells bring a unique spin to surfing.
Santa Barbara: Santa Barbara is the place to try all three new Olympic sports in one town. Surf the waves where current number three in the world surfer, Lakey Peterson, trains daily. Rock climb at Lizard’s Mouth or Gibraltar Road, both of which serve up jaw-dropping coastal vistas as you top out over the final pitch. Skaters can head to the beachside Skater’s Point Skate Park to enjoy ocean breezes while hitting the quarterpipe.
Huntington Beach: Known as Surf City USA, Huntington Beach has 10 miles of uninterrupted beaches and surf culture reigns throughout the area. Huntington Beach is also the place where many pro skaters launched their careers. Covering a full city block, Vans Off The Wall Skatepark is a premier skate park that attracts novice and professional skaters.