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  1. Hike the Oursan Trail at Briones Reservoir
    Northern CA

    Secret Watersides

    From a tiny beach with warm-ish water to a creekside ramble and a wide-open trail less traveled: Explore, hike, and relax at any of these less known waterside escapes throughout the Bay Area.

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  2. Urban Hike from Cesar Chavez Park to Petco Park in San Diego
    Southern CA

    Home Run Hikes

    In the spirit of the World Series, these three hikes are a grand slam for getting outdoors, gaining great views, checking out some baseball landmarks, and enjoying food, wine, and beer, too. Home run!

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  3. Sonoma County Great Outdoors Boon Hotel and Spa
    Sonoma County

    Uncork These Adventures!

    Discover Sonoma County's coastal hikes, hidden beaches, secret redwoods, tent-cabin stays, and vineyard bike rides. Come for the wine, stay for the outdoors!

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  4. Sponsored
    2025-03-12

    From Alpine Wildflowers to Turquoise Coves

    North Lake Tahoe is where nature, culture, and authentic experiences let you connect to something deeper. Spring is an ode to the region’s harmonious dual nature, where you can mix

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  5. Leo Carrillo State Park Hike and Beach
    Southern CA

    Malibu Hike-in Beaches

    A beach or a hike? How about a beach hike? Malibu's got both, and then some! Here are three coastal where you get million-dollar Pacific views and quality beach time too.

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  6. Hike the redwoods at Henry Cowell State Park
    Northern CA

    Redwoods Right Now

    2020's symbol of resilience: the redwood. While some redwood havens are currently closed, there are still places you go in the South Bay for your redwood fix. Here are 3 redwood respites to hike right now.

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  7. Briones Regional Park hike in autumn
    Northern CA

    Autumn Trails

    Autumn is a lovely season for exploring Northern California's outdoor wonders: coastal trails, picnic spots overlooking the ocean, and churning colors along the oak-dotted East Bay hills.

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  8. Los Encinos State Historic Park
    Southern CA

    Simple Waterside Escapes

    Enjoy a riverside stroll, dining outdoors in a state historic park, and paddling an oasis in one of LA's most lovely recreation areas.

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  9. Hike to Bronson Caves and a Labyrinth in Griffith Park LA
    Southern CA

    Hikes & Garden Walks with Hidden Labyrinths

    Meditative, contemplative, and sometimes just simply fun, these hikes and garden walks with hidden labyrinths allow for a little levity and contemplation in nature.

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  10. Bike the Coastal Trail to Pillar Point Harbor in Half Moon Bay
    Northern CA

    Cooler Heads Prevail

    We know, there's a lot going on! Keep your cool by getting out into nature for a change of scenery. These hikes and bike rides have big views, from redwoods to sea.

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  11. Hike Tomales Point Trail in Point Reyes
    Northern CA

    Renewed Perspective

    Ready for a renewed perspective? Check the air quality, then hike any of these Bay Area beauties, from a classic in Point Reyes to a less known loop in the East Bay and a tranquil trail on the Peninsula.

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  12. Hike Joshua Tree National Park
    Southern CA

    Hikes for a Fresh Perspective

    Hazy days make one thing very clear: a renewed appreciation for blue skies! From the desert to the coast, here are three view-tiful hikes for gaining a fresh perspective when the air improves.

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  13. Colorado Bridge in Pasadena
    Southern CA

    Hike to These Iconic Bridges

    Hike to some classic bridges, with great scenery and secret gardens, too. Here are three beautiful and historic bridges in Los Angeles, San Diego, and Pasadena.

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  14. Bernal Heights Park in San Francisco at Sunset
    Northern CA

    Parks and Rec

    San Francisco's parks are places of respite and discovery. Here are some ways to go explore them anew. Bonus: you'll also some great points of view!

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  15. Sponsored
    2025-03-12

    From Alpine Wildflowers to Turquoise Coves

    North Lake Tahoe is where nature, culture, and authentic experiences let you connect to something deeper. Spring is an ode to the region’s harmonious dual nature, where you can mix

    View
  16. Emma Wood State Beach and Ventura Estuary
    Southern CA

    Keep Cool Outdoors This Weekend

    Keep things cool on a hot summer day with beaches, beautiful murals, a SUP excursion, and the namesake lake with a banner view of the Hollywood Sign.

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  17. Bike the Napa Valley Vine Trail & Grab Beers at Stone Brewing
    Northern CA

    Waterside Hikes and Bike Rides

    Get Refreshed with these waterside hikes and bike rides featuring beautiful views, craft brews, and iconic bridges.

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  18. Sierra Nevada Lake Camping California
    Sierra Nevada

    Four Goodness Lakes!

    Enjoy the Sierra Nevada's most refreshing assets: lakes! Here are four lake camping destinations in the Sierra Nevada where you can escape for some lounging, paddling, and hiking.

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  19. Lakes Basin Camping and Hiking in the Sierra Nevada
    Northern Sierra

    Secret Sierra

    The Lakes Basin is the High Sierra, simplified. About one hour northwest of Tahoe you'll find chill lakeside camping, miles of uncrowded hiking trails, and a lookout like no other.

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  20. Hidden Labyrinth Hikes and Bike Rides in the Bay Area
    Northern CA

    Hidden Labyrinths

    Meditative, contemplative, creative, and sometimes just simply fun, labyrinths seem to pop up all over the Bay Area. Here are three to discover on hikes and bike rides.

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  21. Hike to These Three SoCal Peaks
    Southern CA

    Peak Season: Summit Hikes

    Summer's peaking so hit the peaks! These three SoCal classics offer some history, some cardio workouts, and—best of all—some seriously amazing panoramas.

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  22. Hike-in to Marin's Black Sands Beach
    Northern CA

    A Midsummer Weekend's Dream

    Get your midsummer mojo workin' with river kayaking, ridgetop hikes and bike rides, and a hideaway beach. These are some great ways to mix it up outdoors this summer.

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Trending Stories NorCal

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  1. Mile-Long Cataract Club

    In winter after heavy rains, the north flank of Mount Tam glows with flows. The nearly mile-long series of waterfalls—Cataract Falls—transforms into a supercharged spectacle. Starting at Alpine Dam, a 1.6 mile (one-way) narrow trails threads through redwoods and ferns along Cataract Creek.

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  2. Sponsored

    Mini Guide to Reno Tahoe’s Lodging and Dining

    So, you’re going to Reno Tahoe for some time in nature, and some time in nurture? Excellent choice. The fun and wonder of Reno Tahoe is the easy part.

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  3. Hidden Long Ridge

    After heavy rains, the rolling headwaters of Peters Creek in Long Ridge Open Space Preserve pulsate along the forest floor via a series of small waterfalls that cut grooves in sandstone boulders. See it on a 4.5-mile loop hike starting from the Grizzly Flat parking lot.

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  4. Hike Artdoors

    Add a little color to your new year. This 3-mile loop through the Montalvo Arts Center mixes the beauty of the natural world with local artists’ creations.

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Trending Stories SoCal

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  1. Weekend Sherpa Podcast: Take It Outside

    Adventure for your earbuds. What's new in the world of the outdoors? Listen to Weekend Sherpa co-founders discuss local hikes, beaches, bike rides, camping spots and all kinds of travel and adventure in California and beyond!

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  2. Hikers sitting on a large rock slab next to Three Sisters Falls in Cleveland National Forest Southern California near Julian

    Three Sisters

    Good things come in threes at this hike to a lovely trio-tiered waterfall in Cleveland National Forest. The 4.25-mile out-and-back hike rambles among rolling hills, with rocky mountain views as switchbacks take you down to a lush canyon and the falls.

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  3. People gathered around a tree at an LA Park as part of the Tree Tour led by Stephanie Carrie

    LA's Tree Tour

    Los Angeles is famous for its iconic palm trees but did you know that LA is home to one of the most diverse urban forests in the world? With over 1,000 different tree species lining its streets, LA offers a unique urban canopy waiting to be explored. One of the best ways to discover it is by joining a Tree Tour

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  4. White Tank Campground for Stargazing

    Heaven for star buffs: the best campground in Joshua Tree National Park for night-sky viewing, in a place named an International Dark Sky Park, with a full-on observatory just minutes away! White Tank Campground is at 3,800 feet in the eastern part of the park.

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