In our household we love to hike, but one of us (psst—it's my husband) doesn't love the hassle of backpacking and would rather sleep in a warm bed than a cold tent. Inn-to-inn hiking trips seem like the perfect compromise, don't they? You wake up in your comfy room, eat a delicious breakfast, set off for the day through the beautiful wilds, and make it to the next lodging in time for cocktails. This type of traveling is fairly common in Europe, but not as popular here in the States. Fortunately, Tom and Emily Courtney, a clever dad-and-daughter pair, have recognized that Northern California is perfect for inn-to-inn escapes, and they've developed itineraries to assist willing hikers...

It might seem daunting to plan an inn-to-inn trip yourself, but the Courtneys offer detailed itineraries, complete with trail notes, suggested stops, lodging recommendations, and the like. All of the current available guides are for hikes in Northern California, including Lassen Volcanic National Park, the Mendocino Area, and Monterey Bay. How to choose??

The PDF itineraries are available for download at Walkabout California for $5 apiece. The site also hosts community forums where those who've done inn-to-inn hikes can describe their trips and offer helpful advice.

Walkabout California is featured in this month's Sunset, as well as in this week's edition of the fabulous Weekend Sherpa.

(Images: Tom Courtney)