Instead of Winery Hopping, Embark on Northern California’s Cannabis Trail

The trail takes travelers on an immersive exploration of the plant.

While you may be familiar with Napa Wine Road, Sonoma County’s seemingly endless string of wineries, the path has a lesser-known, spiritual sibling. Founded in 2015, Oakland’s Cannabis Trail takes travelers on an immersive exploration of the plant through Northern California’s sprawling, redwood-filled landscapes and bustling city streets. Today, the trail announced its collaboration with Visit Oakland, Visit Mendocino County, and the Humboldt County Visitors Bureau. The lush, nine-county trail will add eight new historic landmarks, including Huckleberry Hill Farms in Redway and the Humboldt Cannabis Tours, as well as dispensaries and lounges like Plantshop and The Bohemian Chemist.

For decades, Northern California has long been a pioneer in the cultivation and legalization of cannabis; the Emerald Triangle, which consists of Mendocino, Humboldt, and Trinity, is the largest cannabis-producing region in the United States due to its warm temperatures and access to water. Stretching from the Emerald Triangle to Santa Cruz, the Cannabis Trail educates travelers on the War on Drugs and the significance of the cannabis legalization movement, honoring the people and places that have contributed to policy changes. Stops along the way include the Grateful Dead House in San Francisco, the St. Louis Pasteur Statue in San Rafael, and Oaksterdam University in Oakland, the world’s first cannabis college.

For those who want to start planning their Cannabis Trail adventure, take a look at their prerequisites page for more information, and keep an eye on their events page for upcoming programming.

Want more Thrillist? Follow us on InstagramTikTokTwitterFacebookPinterest, and YouTube.

Kelsey Allen is an associate editor on the local team at Thrillist.