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  1. Hiker at Lake Hodges in San Diego County
    Southern CA

    Spring H20

    Who's thirsty for an adventure? These lakes and reservoirs beam in spring. And they're refreshing places to hike, bike ride, and camp!

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  2. Northern CA

    Small Parks, Big Views

    These Bay Area parks are not super-sized yet bring super-size scenery including iconic views, barbecues, and beautiful scenery—from lush gardens to the Golden Gate, and an artfully designed mini-golf course!

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  3. Southern CA

    National Parks With Distinction

    California's national parks have some bragging rights! There's one formed by the San Andreas Fault. Another is the world's largest national park site in an urban area. Then there's the national park inhabited by an island fox found nowhere else on earth. And the one with the tallest waterfall in North America. Check it out, then check them out!

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  4. Sponsored
    2026-06-03

    Take the Exit to the Best of the San Francisco Peninsula

    The San Francisco Peninsula is proof that some of Northern California’s greatest surprises are hiding just off Highway 101. All you have to do is take the exit.

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  5. Northern CA

    Garden State

    Guided rhododendron walks, farm-to-trail events, a lavender maze for World Labyrinth Day, things are coming up more than roses! These three botanical gardens have extra bling this spring. --

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  6. Southern CA

    Foodie Adventures

    Some outdoor activities just go better when there’s food involved. And Southern California is filled with fresh and delicious cuisine and treats. Here are three places to go for a most flavorful hiking, biking, or walking adventure.

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  7. Northern CA

    Super Pedals + Petals

    When the wind’s in your hair, a Bay Area spring is in more than the air...it's all over the hills and trails too! Here are some bike rides (or hikes) where the season is showing off its best stuff.

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  8. Southern CA

    Peaking Now in Los Angeles

    With spring peaking, it’s a scenic time to hike some peaks! From a summit less traveled to a dramatic icon, take a peek at these three peak-bagging adventures.

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  9. Northern CA

    Spring for These Summits

    The wildflowers are flowing, the green hills are rolling, and things are looking up! Way up. Head out and up to these three Bay Area summit hikes currently bringing some spring bling!

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  10. Southern CA

    Lookout, L.A.!

    Some things are not to be overlooked, including these beautiful overlooks that look out over some of LA’s most iconic scenery, with hiking trail bonuses to boot!

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  11. Northern CA

    Bloom Shakalaka

    It's raining wildflowers! A benefit of big rains followed by warm weather is gorgeous scenery festooned by flowers. Here are some places currently blossoming with flora, fauna, and fabulous views.

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  12. Southern CA

    Wild and Flowers

    The term "superbloom" is kinda like a superhero movie; it doesn't always live up to the billing. But these three places are super for outdoor adventures with a bonus: they're likely to have good wildflowers blooming right now. Super! 

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  13. Northern CA

    Poppy Hikes in the San Francisco Bay Area

    The Bay Area has some great pop ups in spring, specifically, the California poppy, popping up now. Here are some hikes and bike rides that can pop with poppies.

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  14. Southern CA

    Peak Season

    Marvel at panoramic vistas: check. Get in a great workout: check. Just wanna bag a peak: way to summit up! These three peak hikes bring some spring blooms and big views. Take a peek, then take a peak!

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  15. Sponsored
    2026-06-03

    Take the Exit to the Best of the San Francisco Peninsula

    The San Francisco Peninsula is proof that some of Northern California’s greatest surprises are hiding just off Highway 101. All you have to do is take the exit.

    View
  16. Northern CA

    Spring Blooms

    Rain may have dampened some things, but there's a bright spot on the horizon: Wildflower season is making a run for it, with blooms scattered up and over the mountains and green hills of the Bay Area. Here are three places for seeing spring’s early blossoms while also enjoying big views!

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  17. Southern CA

    Low Key Outdoors

    Wait for it, wait for it ... now?! When the weather clears, try some of these quieter outdoor escapes that offer good views, places to relax, and vast open space for seeing things on the bright side!

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  18. Northern CA

    Spring In Your Steps

    With a break in the rains, the scenery is starting to pop with flowers, greenery, and big time scenery. From waterfalls and wildlife to flower power and stairways to heavenly views, celebrate the season with these spring bling adventures.

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  19. Southern CA

    Park Hops, Beer Hops

    Hop into spring with some park hops and beer hops! These three urban adventures feature fantastic cities with greenway trails, green parks and gardens, and excellent craft brewhouse bonuses. Get hopping!

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  20. Northern CA

    Irish Spring

    You're gonna have to wait a bit for trails to dry, but there'll be plenty of green on the scene at these East Bay parks that are part of the John Muir Land Trust. When the skies clear, spring for some hikes, bike rides, and guided walks.

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  21. Southern CA

    Spring Forward

    Spring forward, ideally past all this weather. While waiting for many parks and trails to reopen, try some of these urban walks that end in spots to grab a bite to eat and drink.

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  22. Southern CA

    Best Supporting Scenery

    It may be rain delayed, but you can celebrate the Oscars in an outdoors fashion. These three adventures are in places that provided supporting scenery for three Best Picture nominated movies: The Fabelmans; Everything Everywhere All At Once; and Top Gun Maverick....

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Trending Stories NorCal

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  1. Napa Valley Paddle kayaker and paddle boarder on the Napa Valley river

    Napa's Wild Side

    It’s wine country’s Amazon. The gentle Napa River is an ecological—and recreational—delight. And Napa Valley Paddle sets you up for maximum enjoyment of this experience.

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  2. Inn-spiration Point!

    For more than a century, people have been hiking or mountain biking to West Point Inn for good reason. Perched at 1,785 feet on the southern slope of Mount Tamalpais, the historic inn has sweeping views from the Marin Headlands to the San Francisco skyline.

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  3. A Thousand Steps to Paradise

    A picture is worth a thousand words, but is a gorgeous beach in Laguna worth a thousand steps? The answer is yes, though the question is moot, because it’s only 223 steep steps down to the 400-yard stretch of sand known as 1000 Steps Beach.

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  4. Hike Mount Tamalpais into Muir Woods

    Muir Woods Through the Backdoor

    A backdoor entrance into Muir Woods? Hike a tranquil trail that starts in Mount Tamalpais State Park and quietly leads into Muir Woods, letting you avoid the busyness of the main parking area.

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Trending Stories SoCal

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  1. There's Always To Moro!

    Looking for a rock-solid itinerary in Sequoia National Park? Pair the park's most famous viewpoint with one that's often overlooked.

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  2. Rancho Style

    Vicente Bluffs Reserve dazzles anytime, but during the golden hour it’s an absolute knockout. Majestic rocky bluffs, dreamy ocean views, and a picturesque lighthouse are just a few of the reasons.

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  3. Sponsored

    Take the Exit to the Best of the San Francisco Peninsula

    The San Francisco Peninsula is proof that some of Northern California’s greatest surprises are hiding just off Highway 101. All you have to do is take the exit.

    View
  4. Hike to the Sierra Buttes Fire Lookout in the Lakes Basin

    Lookout for This View!

    Sierra Buttes Lookout, at a lofty 8,591 feet, is a memory maker for its pucker-worthy stairway to the tower’s balcony. It's a 5-mile (round-trip) hike to reach it. And the reward? Epic!

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