Beale Air Force Base (near Marysville and Yuba City).

5.3-mile loop.

Easy.

The trail is kid- and dog-friendly (pups must be leashed) with little shade and no bathrooms. The access road is bumpy at the end and has free parking. Wear shoes with traction, sun protection, and your bathing suit (there are some great spots for swimming!). Bring plenty of water and, as always, leave no trace.

There’s a variety of scenery and little elevation gain on this hike where you pass through an abandoned mine, grasslands, woodlands, swimming holes, and creeks before finally ending at a 100-foot waterfall.

Old Town Pizza (otpizza.net)—whose original Auburn outpost was established in 1999—is a fan favorite for good reason. Stop by their Lincoln locale to enjoy delicious pies (served whole and by the slice), salads, sandwiches, craft beer, wine, and/or gelato on their rooftop patio.

We've all heard the name—Beales Point, Beale Air Force Base—but who was "Beale," and why do we see the name everywhere?

Edward Fitzgerald “Ned” Beale was a pioneer in the mid-1800s—a military general and explorer who fought in the Mexican-American War. Known as a war hero, he then became nationally famous after carrying the first gold samples east of California, contributing greatly to the Gold Rush.

Beale curiously led a military experiment using Army camels.  Yes…camels. Being able to carry heavier loads than mules and traveling days without water, the thought was to replace mules with camels. Sounds crazy, right? Well, it worked, but the camels scared horses and mules, so the Army decided to forego the venture.