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  1. Southern CA

    Stairway Hikes for Summer

    Step up to summer with these urban stairway strolls with parks, gardens, historic scenery, and beautiful greenery—and some food and drink bonuses.

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  2. Northern CA

    Hike-in to Beach Bliss

    Know what feels good after a hike? Sticking your toes in the sand! Kick off the unofficial start to summer with some beach time ... but not just any beach time... these three beaches are hike-ins, for a bit of extra bliss.

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  3. Southern CA

    Quick Mix

    Hike in to a beach, bike a most bountiful trail, take an urban walk with food stops, and visit an LA Canyon...mix it up for the unofficial start of summer.

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  4. Sponsored

    Extra-Celestial Central Oregon

    Some trips promise you the moon and the stars. And this one delivers in a big way, plus throws in some extra planets for your viewing pleasure. From Bend, Sunriver, and Sisters to Antelope Basecamp in the remote high desert.

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  5. Northern CA

    Redwoods Right Now

    Who’s throwing shade? These big ol’ beautiful redwoods across Northern California. Come for the hiking, stay for the camping. You’ll have it made in the shade.

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  6. 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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  7. 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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  8. 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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  9. 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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  10. 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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  11. 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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  12. 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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  13. 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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  14. 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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  15. Sponsored

    Extra-Celestial Central Oregon

    Some trips promise you the moon and the stars. And this one delivers in a big way, plus throws in some extra planets for your viewing pleasure. From Bend, Sunriver, and Sisters to Antelope Basecamp in the remote high desert.

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  16. 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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  17. 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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  18. 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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  19. 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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  20. 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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  21. 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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  22. 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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A Hiker looking over a mountain range

Your Inbox to the Outdoors

Stay up to date with our weekly recommendations on where to explore locally in California.

Trending Stories NorCal

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  1. Woman walking down the stairs overlooking the ocean on the Coastal Trail in San Francisco

    America's Best Urban Hike

    Long ago we dubbed it the “Grand Walk” and said it was one of the most scenic and stunning trails in the West. We were wrong. This is the most scenic urban hike in America!

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  2. Hike or Bike the Skyline

    A new section of the Bay Area Ridge Trail is open for biking, hiking, or horseback riding along the 12-mile (out-and-back) Skyline Watershed Ridge Trail.

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  3. Woman riding a bike on the the Vine Trail in Napa Valley

    Through the Grapevine

    Cycle California’s most famous wine valley on the car-free Vine Trail, an ambitious project going through the heart of Napa Valley. Park your car and ride 6 miles from Napa to Yountville for lunch.

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Trending Stories SoCal

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  1. Stars, Steaks, and Strange Brews

    Forget Michelin stars. Deep in Oregon's high desert, legendary Cowboy Dinner Tree is destination dining at its most deliciously down-to-earth, well worth the required reservation and desert drive to reach it.

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  2. Outback to the Future

    Some must-see destinations are written in the stars. Deep in Oregon's remote southern high desert lies the largest certified International Dark Sky Sanctuary on the planet. With 2.5 million acres of protected dark skies, you get the best of the celestial out here in what's known as the Oregon Outback, including geothermal soaks and an incredible playa that's a hidden gem.

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  3. Sponsored

    Extra-Celestial Central Oregon

    Some trips promise you the moon and the stars. And this one delivers in a big way, plus throws in some extra planets for your viewing pleasure. From Bend, Sunriver, and Sisters to Antelope Basecamp in the remote high desert.

    View