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  1. Northern CA

    Ranch Trails, Open Skies

    Ready to ranch out on some new adventures? These ranchlands from the Bay Area to Monterey offer hiking and biking trails in full bloom. From wildflowers to wild scenery, here are three top places to explore.

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  2. Southern CA

    Enchanting Hikes, Right Now

    Forest, trees, wildflowers, and wondrous rock formations—what’s not to love about these three spring-primed hikes? Get enchanted.

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  3. Northern CA & Southern CA

    Worth the Trip: Point Reyes National Seashore

    Point Reyes National Seashore’s 71,000 acres are a marvel of diverse wildlands. With limited cell service (off-grid-lite), a day here means fewer notifications, more noticing: miles of undeveloped coastline, vibrant wildflowers, dramatic sea cliffs, hidden coves with elephant seals, and more. Here's a marquee way to spend a day in Point Reyes.

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  4. Sponsored

    Chasing Dark Skies: Southern Oregon

    Hot springs, hiking, lodging, antelope, and one of the world’s best places for looking up at night.

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  5. Northern CA

    Shore Thing: Bike to Beaches

    Grab spring by the handlebars! These three Bay Area bike rides to beaches are primetime, with beautiful scenery, birds, brewpub breaks, and plenty more to keep you rolling. Ride on.

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  6. Southern CA

    Whoop De Doo Hikes!

    Can we get a whoop whoop? Inspired by a trail that’s having a moment in SoCal, these fabulous hikes deliver whoop-de-doos, big views, and wildflowers too.

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  7. Northern CA

    Celebrate Space—Right Here on Earth!

    With Artemis lighting the way, it’s a good time to look up—and get outside after dark. From observatory star parties to ranger-led night walks under some of the darkest skies around, here are a few stellar ways to celebrate space, right here on Earth.

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  8. Southern CA

    Starry Adventures You'll Moon Over

    With Artemis in the headlines, now’s the time to head out and look up. From star parties to moonlight hikes and ranger-led night programs, here are a few ways to celebrate all things cosmic.

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  9. Northern CA

    Snap, Crackle, Poppies!

    California poppies should be popping right about now, joined by plenty of other beautiful blooms on these three Bay Area hikes and bike rides, all with big, bold views to match.

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  10. Southern CA

    Fresh and Up!

    Great hikes aren’t just about reaching the summit. Along the way you also get some sweeping views, coastal overlooks, and iconic vantage points. Here are three with fresh perspectives.

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  11. Woman bike riding on Angel Island
    Northern CA

    Five Stars for Angel Island State Park

    Angel Island State Park may fly under the radar compared to other San Francisco Bay icons, yet it more than holds its own as a stellar standout, with panoramic views at every turn, picnic-perfect spots, scenic trails, hidden beaches, museums, and historic sites. Catch a ferry and make a fulfilling day of it.

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  12. A young man opens his arms out in appreciation of the beautiful scenery of Malibu Lagoon
    Southern CA

    Beach Time!

    When the heat’s cranked, these beach-based outdoor adventures deliver coastal chill, camping, and beautiful scenery.

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  13. Northern CA

    Cruz Control

    When the weather heats up, the Santa Cruz coast delivers the perfect cool-down: beachcombing, biking along a bountiful shoreline with an iconic lighthouse, and sweet strolls to the sand. Time to shift into Cruz control.

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  14. Southern CA

    Getting Figgy With It

    Tree’s company on these three urban walks in L.A.—each featuring an impressive Moreton Bay fig tree, historic and cultural perks, and refreshing extras like a waterfall, ice cream, and beer. Fig yeah!

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  15. Sponsored

    Chasing Dark Skies: Southern Oregon

    Hot springs, hiking, lodging, antelope, and one of the world’s best places for looking up at night.

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  16. Southern CA

    LA’s Urban High Ground

    L.A.’s urban hikes are showing off right now—green hillsides, sweeping views, and trails just high enough to deliver a fresh perspective. Here are three that deliver higher-ground views.

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  17. Northern CA

    Marsh Madness

    The Bay Area’s wetlands are prime in winter and early spring, and with so much preserved habitat to explore, it’s hard to settle on just one spot. So consider this your wetland bracket: three places we recommend right now.

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  18. Northern CA

    Savor These Peak Hikes

    When the clocks spring forward, so should you—on these classic peak hikes. Chase the longer light and savor these summit views.

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  19. Southern CA

    Longer Days for Classic Peaks

    The clocks are about to spring forward. You go up. Chase the longer light on these classic peak hikes.

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  20. Northern CA

    Peak Green

    Rainy, dry, rainy, dry, rainy … dry?! Mother Nature’s been toggling the settings, but the skies are scrubbed, the hills are shamrock green, and everything’s sparkling. These hikes and bike rides have that fresh-from-the-rain glow. Clarity mode, activated!

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  21. A woman stands on green grass overlooking the skyline of downtown Los Angeles from Ernest E Debs Regional Park
    Southern CA

    That Green Glow

    Okay, rain did its thing. The hills are glowing. Now’s your window for vivid greens, sweeping views, and maybe even a few early wildflowers. Hit these urban and wild hikes and bike rides while the shamrock shine lasts.

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  22. Northern CA & Southern CA

    All Aboard the Mendocino Coast

    Where dramatic—and secret—headlands meet a rollicking sea and a historic train winds through fragrant forest, Mendocino invites you to slow down, stay awhile. Ride the rails to a redwood grove with a beverage bar and bonus hike, wander wild bluffs and windswept beaches, then toast the day in a postcard-perfect village with a thriving culinary scene. This is Mendo-time.

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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 with her arms outstretched to the rolling hills scenery while on a rock outcrop at Barnabe Peak in Samuel P Taylor Sate Park in Marin

    Barnabe Bonanza

    Sure, there are higher mountains in Marin (Mount Tam) and easier ascents (Mount Burdell), but is there a more expansive North Bay view? Barnabe Peak in Samuel P. Taylor State Park offers a glorious panorama including Mount Tam, Mount Diablo, and Mount St. Helena.

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  2. Tamtastic Sunset

    Sure, the East Peak of Mount Tam is absolutely spectacular at sunset, but some magic-hour enthusiasts head to a nearby spot, Trojan Point, for a little more personal space in their panoramic viewings.

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  3. Hiker on the SCA trail in Marin Headlands with view of the Golden Gate Bridge

    Headlands Over Heels

    People come from all over the world to get a glimpse of the Golden Gate Bridge. Get a dramatic and novel view of the bridge without all the people on this moderate 6-mile hike in the Marin Headlands.

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Trending Stories SoCal

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  1. Lagoon Swoon

    We all love an underdog story, especially in the shadow of the greats. Enter a truly SoCal coastal version: Malibu Lagoon State Beach. Though situated next to Surfrider Beach, a fa

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  2. Woman hiking the San Onofre Bluffs Loop Trail to San Onofre State Beach in San Diego County

    Bluffing Good!

    Lovely coastline, beautiful beaches, unique geological history, and picturesque sandstone cliffs with limited foot traffic in San Diego County? Head to San Onofre State Beach and the 5-mile San Onofre Bluffs Loop Trail.

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  3. Can We Get a Whoop Whoop!

    City, mountain, and ocean views all in one hike? Whoop whoop! It’s no surprise the the Kenter Fire Road and Whoop-de-Doos Trail (a combo of fire road and singletrack) is a favorite among local mountain bikers and hikers alike.

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