5 Day Trips to Beat the Heat

As temperatures climb throughout the west, there are days when you just can’t take it anymore and thoughts of cool coastal breezes and mountain air are too tempting to resist. Here’s where to head for the day when the need strikes.

Northern California

From Sacramento: Hope Valley

This isolated river valley in Alpine County south of Lake Tahoe and north of Yosemite is a fast-vanishing rarity: a corner of the Sierra Nevada mountains where you can still have a trail mostly to yourself or wake to no sound but birdcalls. You’ll know you’ve arrived by the quaking aspens, which cluster in quivering groves along the West Fork Carson River and lend the valley its legendary reputation for fall color. A lacework of trails in the 2,869-acre Hope Valley Wildlife Area provide access to a string of favorite wading and fishing spots.

Much of the valley is occupied by the 165-acre Desolation Hotel, Hope Valley, formerly the old-timey Swiss-style Sorensen's Resort. In addition to the refurbished log cabins, it now also encompasses a campground featuring yurts, airstream trailers, and tent sites. Kick back post-exertion with a cold drink at the resort’s Hope Valley Bar & Grill, which serves a light menu of sliders, bratwurst, and appetizers. End your day on a high note with dinner at Sorensen’s Café, which honors the resort’s old world vibe with dishes like Käsespätzle (German pasta) and Venison stroganoff.

From the San Francisco Bay Area: Tomales Bay

Shaped like an elongated horseshoe with Point Reyes National Seashore on one side and a spectacular stretch of Highway 1 tracing the other, Tomales Bay draws nature-lovers to its serene wetland preserves and well-trod hiking trails and invites foodies to a string of headline-making eateries housed in turn-of-the-century fishing hamlets. At the top of the list is the Marshall Store, which serves freshly harvested Pacific Preston Point oysters smoked with Cowgirl Creamery Fromage Blanc cheese and chipotle aioli or grilled with garlic butter, bacon, and Worcestershire sauce.

Finish your day with dinner at Nick’s Cove, where chef Chris Cosentino recently revamped the menu to reflect a nostalgic take on the classic fish house dishes of his New England childhood. Don’t miss signature appetizers like Fries with Eyes (whole fried smelt) and smoked black cod dip served with fried saltine crackers. Stay overnight in one of the resort’s cozy waterfront fishermen’s cabins and wake to watch the oyster boats motor in piled high with the fluted shellfish. In between, make it a beach day with a stroll along dog-friendly Dillon Beach or a hike out to Tomales Point through the tule elk preserve.

Arizona

From Phoenix: Pine, Strawberry, and the Rim Country

Just as gold-seekers once flocked to the Strawberry Valley in search of riches, today’s visitors seek the cool of 6,800-foot peaks, clear alpine lakes, and dense forests of Ponderosa pine. Your day’s activities might include a swim at Woods Canyon Lake, a drive along the Mogollon Rim with its multiple overlooks, and a stop at Tonto Natural Bridge State Park to see the world’s largest travertine bridge. Trails follow the creek into the arch itself and down to a 300-foot waterfall while paved viewpoints make it possible to see the bridge without the hike. Cool your palette with an iced coffee or root beer float from Pine Creek Fudge, then head for the quaint village of Strawberry where locals line up for flaky empanadas from PIEBar in flavors ranging from chorizo to cherry. There’s so much to do in this area you might want to extend your visit with an overnight at the Strawberry Inn, where accommodations include the historic inn, numerous cabins and cottages, and Airstream trailers.

Nevada

From Las Vegas: Mount Charleston and the Spring Mountains

Rising from the Mojave Desert to just shy of 12,000 feet, Mount Charleston appears as a tempting mirage with its often snow-covered peak and slopes blanketed in pine and alpine wildflowers. Reclaimed from a golf course and turned into a national recreation area, the 128-acre Spring Mountain Visitor Gateway pays homage to the 7 Paiute tribes and features a visitor center, bookstore, amphitheater, and two picnic areas complete with charcoal grills and firepits.

The Silent Heroes of the Cold War Memorial preserves the propeller of a military transport plane that crashed on Mt. Charleston in 1955, killing 14 scientists and engineers on their way to Area 51. Hike the Pack Rat Trail to view the crash site through a scope. Canyon Restaurant & Tavern in the Retreat on Charleston Peak makes a good stop for lunch or dinner. Ambitious hikers can make the 8.5-mile climb up the South Loop Trail to enjoy expansive views from the peak.

Utah

From Salt Lake City: Park City

The towering peaks and smooth slopes that make Park City a favorite of skiers worldwide gain a new identity in summer as something akin to an outdoor adventure theme park. More than 150 miles of trail, accessible by chairlift, lure bikers and hikers alike while thrill-seekers head up Park City Mountain for the 3,000-foot Alpine Slide, one of the longest in the world, and the Flying Eagle Zipline and ropes course. Golfers have three area courses to choose from, and disc golf and mini golf are also on offer. For magical mountain views, take a hot air balloon ride at sunrise, soaring over the peaks lit by the dawn’s rays.

Art is a close rival to nature in Park City, where more than 20 galleries line Main Street, and the Julie Nestor Gallery and Kimball Art Center host exhibits by groundbreaking new artists. The casual atmosphere of Canyons Village, now part of Park City Mountain Resort, makes it a favorite of families and those looking for a more relaxed getaway. The rooftop Poolhouse at Pendry Park City is perfect for a day’s end drink or meal with some of the best sunset views in town.