View All

  1. sunset at salt point
    Northern CA

    Sublime at Sunset

    There's a bright side to autumn's dwindling daylight. Sunsets churn some of their finest golden hues across horizons. From an open space of small summits to a campground on the coast, and one of the finest urban walks in the world, here are three ways to enjoy the gold rush of autumn in the Bay Area.

    VIEW
  2. Southern CA

    Field These Trips

    It's a field trip for all this fall. Los Angeles County has all kinds of ways to be outside and explore some art and history. Discover the Ice Age in LA's downtown; go on a hike and check out historic train cars in Griffith Park; or do a commemorative walk combining an outdoor classroom of art. Here are three ways to learn from nature.

    VIEW
  3. Northern CA

    Fall for These Beaches

    Summer may be over, but in California beach season never really ends, with plenty to enjoy year-round for walking, wildlife watching, and wowing sunsets.

    VIEW
  4. Sponsored
    2025-09-17

    Fall for It All in Reno Tahoe

    The best kind of getaway? Less time on logistics, more time on memory-making. Jackpot! You’ve got Reno Tahoe.

    View
  5. Southern CA

    Log Some Lagoon Time

    Log out and get out...outside to some sublime lagoons for walking, wildlife sightings, and a breath of fresh nature. Here are three less known lagoons well worth a wander.

    VIEW
  6. Northern CA

    You're on a Boat!

    Now is a nice time of year to get out on the lake, and these three oases let you rent a boat and paddle—or pedal—amid tranquil surroundings and the spontaneous delights of nature. Bonus: they all offer some nice on-shore adventures, too. Whatever floats your boat.

    VIEW
  7. Southern CA

    Walk This Way

    A few of our adventure writers have some great ideas for easy, fun, and colorful strolls in Los Angeles County, which happen to be great ideas for our Adventure Challenge, ending soon! Get your complimentary custom t-shirt before they're all gone. Walk this way....

    VIEW
  8. Southern CA

    Five Faves for the Long Weekend

    Ahhh the long weekend. The end of summer is near, but you still have a few weeks to complete our Adventure Challenge. Get outdoors and send us some photos in exchange for a custom WS t-shirt, a mountain accessory bag from Topo Designs, and a chance to win a trip for 2 to Reno Tahoe. Need some inspiration? Check out these five fun outdoor escapes.

    VIEW
  9. Northern CA

    Five Fabulous Adventures for Labor Day

    As the long weekend arrives it’s a reminder that our summer Adventure Challenge is soon coming to a close: there’s just a few weeks left to submit your outdoor adventure pics to us in exchange for a custom WS t-shirt, a mountain accessory bag from Topo Designs, and a chance to win a  trip for 2 to Reno Tahoe. Need some ideas for this weekend? Check out these five fabulous options.

    VIEW
  10. Northern CA

    Best of Summer

    It's hard to say goodbye...summer days may be coming to a close, but there's still time to get out on some of the season's most popular adventures in Weekend Sherpa. Here's a roundup of some of what you all liked best.

    VIEW
  11. Southern CA

    Long Live Summer

    Summer isn't over yet. There's still time to do all the things, particularly the ones you seemed to like a lot this season. From our Adventure Challenge to national parks, stargazing, and more, here are some of this summer's greatest hits...still playing....

    VIEW
  12. Northern CA & Southern CA

    Reno Tahoe Great Eight

    We’re halfway through our 2025 Adventure Challenge, and if you haven’t done so yet, you can still get our custom t-shirt, a Topo Designs mountain accessory bag, and be entered to win a trip for 2 to beautiful Reno Tahoe! Speaking of Reno Tahoe—from peak hikes and waterfalls to bike rides by the lake and craft brew patio pit stops, here are 8 great ways to raise your getaway game.

    VIEW
  13. Northern CA

    Lakeside Hike-ins and Campsites

    Hiking, lakeside lounging, starry night campsites: that’s some California dreamy. From hike-ins to lakes in El Dorado National Forest and Tahoe, to a first-come, first-served campground in the Sierra Nevada's Lakes Basin, here are three ways to enjoy overnight oasis escapes.

    VIEW
  14. Southern CA

    Ghost Towns, Gold Towns, and Underground Gardens

    There’s gold and ghosts and underground gardens in them thar California hills! From a less-known Gold Rush town to a more popular one with seasonal ghost tours, and an underground secret garden, here are some ways to have some old-fashioned adventures.

    VIEW
  15. Sponsored
    2025-09-17

    Fall for It All in Reno Tahoe

    The best kind of getaway? Less time on logistics, more time on memory-making. Jackpot! You’ve got Reno Tahoe.

    View
  16. Northern CA & Southern CA

    Newly Opened at CA National Parks

    What’s new at CA national parks? How about Sequoia’s newly re-opened cave tours; a sulfur spectacle that just opened for the season (and rivals Yellowstone); an overnight escape to “reset” in Joshua Tree; and a new San Francisco picnic space in the Presidio. That’s some good new!

    VIEW
  17. Northern CA & Southern CA

    Less-Traveled National Park Peak Hikes

    During the peak of summer, tackle some national park peaks that are less-traveled and utterly spectacular. From the largest dome volcano in the world (right here in California!) to the only national park peak in Nevada, plus a Yosemite gem that’s marvelous near sunset, here are three summits to sum up the height of summer.

    VIEW
  18. Two bike riders are looking out to Lake Perris in Southern California
    Southern CA

    As You Lake It!

    Summer by the lake sounds pretty great, and these three beauties bring something special, from bonus eats to quiet paddles and pedals amid beautiful peaks. Lake expectations met!

    VIEW
  19. A woman is riding her bike past trees and Lake Almanor in Chester
    Northern CA

    How Do You Lake It?

    Reservoirs and lakes feel like the very definition of summer. Whether you're hiking, biking, camping  or finding a perfect place for a picnic, here are three great places for a fantastic lake escape. 

    VIEW
  20. Northern CA

    Throwing Shade

    When summer heats hits, these hikes and bike rides throw some shade (the cool kind) thanks to sections of trail with towering firs, redwoods, and eucalyptus trees.

    VIEW
  21. Woman hiker going down steps to Coast Royale Beach in Orange County, Southern California
    Southern CA

    Beach You To It

    Looking for that quintessential summer bliss? Don't let others beach you to it! These three hike-in havens are sandy havens for the season.

    VIEW
  22. Northern CA & Southern CA

    Go Outside and Get This Custom T-shirt

    Do our 2025 Adventure Challenge! This summer, do ANY 3 activities you find on our website and get our custom t-shirt, a Topo Designs Mountain Accessory Bag and more, as your reward! Want a few quick ideas to get you going? We've got you covered.

    VIEW

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Afternoon on the Island

    What is it about tiny islands in the middle of lakes? There’s something that just draws you in. It’s even more fun when getting there is half the adventure because you have to reach it by canoe, kayak, paddleboat, or a ranger-guided boat tour!

    View
  2. Golden Gate's Blue Heron

    Golden Gate Park’s Blue Heron Lake is home to birds of many feathers, turtles lounging on rocks, visitors from afar, and locals who love this urban oasis in San Francisco. Try the "Boats and Breakfast" rowboat or pedal boat deal.

    View
  3. This Is Paradise

    Granite mountain-scape, superb sunset views, crystal lakes, and shoreline campsites … the trip to Paradise Lake in Tahoe National Forest lives up to its idyllic name.

    View
  4. Aloha from California

    Say Aloha without leaving California with a 7-mile out-and-back hiking adventure to Lake Aloha in El Dorado National Forest. You can also camp here, a premier place for stargazing.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Walking the Los Angeles River Trail Through Frogtown

    Frogtown Strutter’s Stroll

    Don’t go dismissing the Los Angeles River as merely a 51-mile concrete channel. It’s a genuine urban artery that links real neighborhoods, and its riverside bike/ped paths endear i

    View
  2. Coming Up Roses

    Looking to spice up your hiking life? Give your partner a rose—Mount Rose! The 10-mile out-and-back peak hike goes up to one of the grandest views in all of Lake Tahoe. Get ready f

    View
  3. Underground Garden

    Looking to escape the summer heat? Head to Fresno and discover its cool secret: the Forestiere Underground Gardens–an enchanting garden and architecture oasis like no other.

    View
  4. Sequoia Re-opens Crystal Cave

    Step inside Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park's hidden world by visiting the newly re-opened Crystal Cave—the only cave in the parks open to the public. Closed for four years, this rare marble karst cavern is welcoming visitors once again, but only through the summer season!

    View