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  1. Hikers at Las Virgenes Reservoir in Triunfo Creek Park near Thousand Oaks
    Southern CA

    Wildflower Hikes Less Traveled

    If your Easter Egg hunt includes wildflowers, we’ve got a few amazing places for you to check out soon. These hikes feature less-known trails with pockets and fields of florals bringing a confetti of color to the landscapes.

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  2. Hiker walking amid lupine wildflowers in Healdsburg Ridge Open Space Preserve
    Northern CA

    Short & Quiet Hikes in the Bay Area

    You don’t have to “go long” to have an outdoor adventure. These three quieter preserves and parks across the Bay Area offer small hikes with big scenery, lingering greenery, zen spots, seasonal flowers, and redwoods.

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  3. Urban Hike to the Shakespeare Bridge in LA
    Southern CA

    Architecture Walks in Los Angeles

    Lace up your shoes for an urban walk through parks with beautiful art and architecture. These three options offer spiritual resonance, UNESCO beauty, some Shakespeare, and signature neighborhood styles.

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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. Woman exploring Vanalden Cave in the Santa Cruz Mountains
    Southern CA

    Cave Adventures

    Take your explorations deeper with these cave adventures across Southern California.

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  6. Hike Tomales Point Trail Point Reyes
    Northern CA

    Spring Classics

    Rolling hills, colorful flowers, soothing oases, and wildlife ... some hikes bring extra bling this time of year. Spring for these three classics.

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  7. Woman hiking by some purple wildflowers at Sonoma Valley Regional Park
    Northern CA

    Wine Country Wildflower Hikes

    These three Sonoma County Regional Parks are on the smaller side, but they're mighty with blooming wildflowers and big views. Hike or bike these routes and bring a picnic too!

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  8. The Hollywood Sign Letters from behind overlooking the Los Angeles skyline
    Southern CA

    Three Hikes, One Sign

    With the Oscars this Sunday how about a hike to the ultimate showbiz sign. Here are three different hikes with unique perspectives of the Hollywood Sign.

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  9. Mountain biker on the trail at Fernandez Ranch in Martinez in the East Bay
    Northern CA

    Rainbow Connection

    These three Bay Area preserves are all about the rainbow of color currently casting across their rolling hills, and they should only get better in the next few weeks. Enjoy some spring bling!

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  10. Hiker celebrating at Condor Peak in the San Gabriel Mountains
    Southern CA

    Major Peak Hikes

    Now that we have longer days, it’s time for some longer hikes. These three peak-bagging hikes between 8 and 16 miles (round-trip) in the San Gabriel Mountains are truly challenging, with huge panoramic payoffs.

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  11. Northern CA

    Picnic With a View!

    Who's hungry for a picnic with beautiful views? From the redwoods to the beach to the bay, here are three places in Marin to relax with a charcuterie or barbecue feast, along with bonus hikes and bike rides.

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  12. Southern CA

    Three Hikes, One Preserve

    How much variety can you find on three hikes within one preserve? Find out at Rancho La Costa Preserve in San Diego County. It’s home to a secret canyon, a waterfall, and the tallest peak in Carlsbad. Three, two, one … hiking plan, done!

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  13. Southern CA

    Wellness Hikes and Bike Rides

    In tumultuous times taking a break in nature can be helpful ... among trees, birds, and trails less traveled. Here are some hiking and biking recommendations for taking a wellness break outdoors.

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  14. Northern CA

    Comfort Hikes and Bike Rides

    If you need a bit of a break to contemplate, or to find forms of comfort, sometimes it’s helpful to be in nature. These hiking and biking suggestions include a peace grove, quieter trails, early wildflowers, and some sweet farm animals.

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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. Southern CA

    Secret Trails of Simi Valley

    Can you keep a secret? These less-traveled trails in Ventura County's heavenly slice of Simi Valley are short and sweet with stellar mountain and skyline scenery and bonuses like wildflowers and beer stops. Simi sensational!

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  17. woman biking bolinas ridge trail bay area
    Northern CA

    Ridgeline Trails With Hints of Spring

    Crisp skylines and the chance of early wildflowers festooning trails … yep, it’s a good time to do a ridge ramble in the Bay Area. Here are some hikes and bike rides featuring ridgelines for positive perspectives and hints of spring!

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  18. Northern CA

    Hill Yeah!

    The Bay Area hills are alive with winter greenery, stellar scenery, and seasonally favorable temperatures for conquering peaks. These hikes (some with bike options) feature vistas, peak bagging, and prime picnic spots. Head for the hills!

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  19. Southern CA

    The Great Artdoors

    Ready for the great artdoors? SoCal has some beautfiul places to wander and see interesting, inspiring, and educational works, from murals and sculptures to installations and tasty food and drink bonuses.

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  20. Northern CA

    Dates Outdoors

    In this season of love and romance, there's one companion who never disappoints: the outdoors! Grab your favorite person or people and head out on some hikes and bike rides that are oh so sweet right now.

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  21. Southern CA

    Sweet Hikes, Bike Rides, and Bakeries

    Whether your relationship is new, or you’ve been together a long time, the outdoors makes a terrific companion. Gather your loved one(s) and head outside for these sweet hikes and bike rides, along with some post-adventure bakery treats.

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  22. Northern CA

    Look on the Bright Side

    Winter sunsets get a glowing review in California, whether you're watching one from a sand dune surrounded by mountains or pedaling your bike down by the sea. Here are some of the best hikes, bike rides, and viewpoints for catching one of nature's best light shows.

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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. Been There, Dome That

    Surrounded by granite domes, craggy peaks, and miles of hiking trails, the High Sierra landscape of Tuolumne Meadows in Yosemite National Park is famous for good reason. For a truly grand view, take a short hike to bold—and bald (except for snow at times)—Lembert Dome.

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  3. Wapama Wows

    Hetch Hetchy can be overlooked in Yosemite National Park because of its more remote location and limited facilities. But this is where you’ll also find one of the best day hikes in the park: Wapama Falls.

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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. 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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  2. 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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  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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