Not all dead ends lead to nowhere. Some are entranceways to landscapes that are seemingly from another planet. Take the high-winding and narrow dirt road that dead-ends at Red Rock Canyon Park in the Santa Monica Mountains. Up here lies a reclusive community of fiery sandstone formations resembling the hoodoos of the Southwest. They're your company for a thrilling 2-mile (round-trip) hike to the heart of the park, Red Rock Overlook. Start on the only trail leaving the parking lot, a wide fire road called the Red Rock Mountainway. About a quarter of a mile up this path, a series of small caves in the canyon's rock wall offer a chance for some novice spelunking. Just a short distance from there, a right turn starts the singletrack to Red Rock Overlook. This section offers ample opportunities to boulder over gnarled sandstone spires rising above trailside sagebrush. Views of Calabasas and Topanga expand rapidly with each step. At the overlook, scramble up the rocks to take in the 360-degree view over the canyon: Calabasas Peak and Topanga Peak rise to the west and south, producing fingers of sandstone ribboned in red and mocha. Feast on the views!

Take US 101 to the Valley Circle Blvd/Mulholland. exit in Calabasas. Head south on Mulholland Dr. for half a mile. Turn right on Valmar Rd., which becomes Old Topanga Canyon Rd. When the road comes to a T, turn right onto Mulholland Hwy. Rd. After a short distance, turn left to return to Old Topanga Canyon Rd. Stay on this weaving road for 3.8 miles, and turn right on to Red Rock Canyon Rd. Follow this unpaved road into the park and begin hiking up Red Rock Mountainway. After 1/3 of a mile (and just before the road begins to turn uphill), make a right onto the path to Red Rock Overlook, reaching the sandstone crest overlooking Red Rock Canyon after less than a mile. There is a $5 day use fee to park at the trailhead. Dog-friendly!

Gather the whole crew because there's plenty of room to spread out on one of LA's most easily accessed hiking trails. Set forth on an 8.5-mile (round-trip) trek beneath Sullivan Canyon's golden sycamores, currently tinted in fall colors. The namesake trail departs from a prim Brentwood neighborhood. There's a quick downhill at the start, before the trail settles into an easy uphill grade over a wide, meticulously maintained gravel trail for the entire hike. Walking beneath a canopy of copper and gold sycamore leaves, sneak peak-a-boo views of chaparral-covered Westridge and Sullivan Ridge. At the end of the canyon (4.25 miles in), those who want to burn off that second helping of stuffing can continue another half-mile up to Sullivan Ridge for a high view over the Santa Monica Mountains. But we're betting you'll be lured into the limbs of one of the trail's great sycamores for some good old tree climbing (makes a great holiday photo!). Return the way you came—there's plenty of room to be turkeys on parade.

From the I-405, exit Sunset Blvd. and drive 2.3 miles west to Mandeville Canyon Rd. Turn north and make the first left onto Westridge Rd. Drive uphill for 1.2 miles to Bayliss Rd. and turn left. Make another left on Queensferry Rd. and park. The trailhead is at the bottom of the road, but street parking is restricted so check signs before leaving your vehicle. Walk down the road past the gate, and turn right up Sullivan Canyon. Dog-friendly!

Here's something to be thankful for: the 7,000-acre Laguna Coast Wilderness Park protects some of the last remaining coastal canyons in Orange County. Explore a few of its highlights on the 3.5-mile (round-trip) Laurel Canyon Loop. Start from Willow Canyon Trailhead on Laguna Canyon Road and begin hiking up Willow Canyon Road. After a healthy helping of turkey, some folks might find themselves trypt out by the wide fire road, which gains 575 feet over the first 1.5 miles. The early reward for the huff and puff up the exposed and chaparral-covered ridge is broad over-the-shoulder views of Laguna Canyon. On the backside of the loop, ease down into Laurel Canyon and along a quiet path through an oak-dominated forest. Crunch over fallen leaves from a few bright orange sycamores and exit the canyon through a grassy meadow dotted with stout, curiously shaped sandstone formations, including one that resembles a face with its tongue sticking out. Now who's talking turkey!

TIP: Post-hike, cool down with a margarita on the oceanfront patio at Las Brisas Restaurant in Laguna Beach (361 Cliff Drive).

Take Laguna Canyon Rd. to the Willow Canyon parking area on the west side of the road, 3 miles north of Laguna Beach, 0.2 miles south of El Toro Road, and 0.7 miles south of the SR 73 toll road. Pay a day-use fee ($5 weekends, $3 weekdays), register at the sign-in table, and pick up a trail map. Hike 1.5 miles up Willow Canyon Rd. Make the first right on Laurel Spur and drop half a mile into Laurel Canyon. Turn right and proceed 1.5 miles down the canyon back to the trailhead. No dogs.

Christmas has come early! Locally based Intrepid Travel, the foremost small-group adventure travel company, is giving away 30 trips throughout the world during November, plus savings of up to 20% off trips in 2012. The hardest part will be choosing which trip to take! Here's a sample of some adventures:

* Camping in Australia's Outback
* Biking from Budapest to Prague to Vienna
* Going gourmet with locals in Spain
* Walking the Great Wall of China (one of the Seven Wonders of the World)

See a complete list of the 30 trips being given away for free this November. Intrepid Travel is all about getting up close and personal. Groups are kept to 12 or less, ensuring true immersion into culture and adventures. 30 incredible experiences are up for grabs this November. Which one will you choose? Explore and enter here.

BONUS: Enter to win one of Intrepid Travel's 30 trips in 30 days through November, and you'll automatically be eligible to save up to 20% on trips in 2012.