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1. 
   Northern CA

   Santa Cruz and Microbrews

   Coastal mountain biking, camping in the redwoods, paddling pristine waters, and washing it all down with a tasty beer ... Yes, Santa Cruz is always a good idea for a summer adventure.

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2. 
   Southern CA & Northern CA

   Yosemite High Points

   Ready to take Yosemite to a whole other level? We’ve rounded up three of the best viewpoints you can hike to in the entire park! Now that’s what’s up!

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3. 
   Northern CA

   Easy Adventures for the Fourth

   No big plans for the Fourth? No worries. Whether you'd like to go on a hike, lounge at the beach, check out some redwoods, or just soak in vitamin D, we have you covered.

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4. 
   Sponsored

   2026-02-02

   Warm Up to Winter in Reno Tahoe

   2026 is just getting started, but there’s one place already rising to the top as the best for adventure and relaxation: Reno Tahoe. The awe—and ahhhs—begin as soon as you arrive. G

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5. 
   Southern CA

   Go Fourth on Adventures

   What are you doing this Independence Day weekend? From biking and hiking and sunset strolling, to stand-up paddleboarding or a mountain-high game of disc golf, here are some great ways to go fourth on easygoing adventures!

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6. 
   Northern CA

   Local Lake Hikes

   Lace up the hiking boots and hit the refresh button: the summer sizzle is on! Keep your cool with these lakeside hikes.

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7. 
   Southern CA

   Beach Hikes

   It’s hot. Keep your cool on any of these three beach hikes and walks in San Diego County—filled with sunsets, sea lions, and classic scenery. Beach ya to it!

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8. 
   Southern CA

   Hole In One Hikes

   How do you make hiking competitive? Throw in a little disc golf! Lace up the hiking boots, grab your favorite people, and set off for some disc golf surrounded by mountains. It’s tee time!

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9. 
   Northern CA

   Coastal Campaways

   Oceanside settings, nearby hikes and adventures, first-come, first-served opportunities … summer camping is on! Pitch your tent at any of these seaside campgrounds and have fun exploring NorCal’s dramatic coast.

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10. 
    Southern CA & Northern CA

    The Adventure Challenge Begins!

    It’s that time of year again.  The 5th Annual Weekend Sherpa Adventure Challenge kicks off today! Do any 3 adventures from Weekend Sherpa, take a photo of yourself in action, then get rewarded with the all-new Weekend Sherpa 2016 Adventure Challenge T-shirt—made by this year’s sponsor, Marmot. It’s free to participate. Now get out there!

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11. 
    Northern CA

    Beaches & Beverages

    One of summer's best two-fers? Beaches and beverages! Here are three North Bay beaches close to excellent spots for grabbing a beverage (and some food) afterwards. Beach you to it!

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12. 
    Southern CA

    Around the World in LA

    Los Angeles is one of the world’s most diverse cities, with global influences found everywhere, including the great outdoors. From Japan to Berlin, here are three great ways to explore the various cultures of LA by stepping outside for a hike.

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13. 
    Northern CA

    National Park Day Hikes in CA

    Point the Way Great views, wildlife sightings, and an oceanfront setting: Don’t let this 9-mile (round-trip) hike to Tomales Point in Point Reyes National Seashore linger too long on your bucket list. Yodel for Yosemite Falls Itchin’ to climb to the top of the tallest waterfall in North America? Goodonya! The 3.5-mile (one-way) hike to Upper Yosemite Falls is challenging, misty, and mystifying! [sponsored-story] King of the Canyon Giant sequoias are the main attraction in Kings Canyon National Park, but the granite peaks around here aren’t too shabby either. Hike to the area’s highest point, Big Baldy (8,209 feet), for a grand panorama of the Sierra Nevada and the Great Western Divide’s epic peaks. Jurassic Redwoods Times change, but the tallest living trees in the world still tower over the grasslands of Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park (one of three state parks located within the jurisdiction of Redwoods National and State Parks). Transport to the Jurassic Era on a 6-mile loop hike. Talk Sweeney to Me For a hike that’ll transport you back in time—and to a place with legendary panoramas—head to the Peninsula’s Sweeney Ridge for a 5-mile (round-trip) hike, part of the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy. National Parks BONUS Check out all of our recent national parks coverage celebrating the Centennial.

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14. 
    Southern CA

    Day Hikes in CA National Parks

    Loop Scoop One of the best hikes in Channel Islands National Park is also one of the most accessible: The 2-mile Cavern Point Loop Trail will get your eyes jazzed on vivid sea vistas as it traces the cliffs west of Scorpion Cove. Yodel for Yosemite Falls Itchin’ to climb to the top of the tallest waterfall in North America? Goodonya! The 3.5-mile (one-way) hike to Upper Yosemite Falls is challenging, misty, and mystifying! [sponsored-story] King of the Canyon Giant sequoias are the main attraction in Kings Canyon National Park, but the granite peaks around here aren’t too shabby either. Hike to the area’s highest point, Big Baldy (8,209 feet), for a grand panorama of the Sierra Nevada and the Great Western Divide’s epic peaks. Jurassic Redwoods Times change, but the tallest living trees in the world still tower over the grasslands of Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park (one of three state parks located within the jurisdiction of Redwoods National and State Parks). Transport to the Jurassic Era on a 6-mile loop hike. Dare Devil You want the grand slam of adventures? This three-part adventure in Mammoth Lakes combines mountain biking, hiking, lakes, waterfalls, epic views, and Devil’s Postpile National Monument, a popular stop-off for Pacific Crest Trail trekkers. National Parks BONUS Check out all of our recent national parks coverage celebrating the Centennial.

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15. 
    Sponsored

    2026-02-02

    Warm Up to Winter in Reno Tahoe

    2026 is just getting started, but there’s one place already rising to the top as the best for adventure and relaxation: Reno Tahoe. The awe—and ahhhs—begin as soon as you arrive. G

    View
16. 
    Southern CA & Northern CA

    National Park Lodges: Hike-in Style

    Part 3 in our monthlong feature celebrating the National Parks centennial: backcountry lodges! No need for hefting a burly backpack, tent, and food to these oases in the wilderness. From the Rockies to the Sierra, we've rounded up some of the best ways to experience national park backcountry, in style!

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17. 
    Southern CA

    Fantasy Island

    Remote, raw, and utterly enchanting, Channel Islands National Park, nicknamed “the Galapagos of California,” is an undeveloped, far less traveled archipelago off the coast of Ventura. Explore this once lost world by adventuring all across the largest of its five islands—Santa Cruz.

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18. 
    Northern CA

    May the Redwood Forest Be With You

    Think you’ve seen redwoods? Not like this. Humboldt County is home to giant gems within the towering temperate rainforests of Redwood National and State Parks, and more big stuff beyond! Get ready for hulking reds, winding jade rivers, a hidden state park, and 40 miles of wild coastline that add magic like only the far north can.

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19. 
    Northern CA

    Summer Classics

    It's summer. You live in California. Get out there on these adventures!

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20. 
    Southern CA

    Summertime Adventures

    It's summer. You live in California. Get out there on these adventures!

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21. 
    Southern CA & Northern CA

    Going Big in the High Sierra

    Big trees, big peaks, big backpacking treks, and big views … it doesn’t get bigger (or better!) than adventuring in California’s first national park, Sequoia & Kings Canyon. This is the first in our May series celebrating the 2016 National Park Centennial. Each week we’ll bring you a range of national park ideas, with insider tips and plenty of ideas to get you going!

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22. 
    Southern CA

    Two Wheels to Wild

    This spring, choose your own bike adventure in San Diego County, with three bike routes full of wildlife, wildflowers, salty ocean spray, and even some tunnels and trestle bridges. Oh my, nice ride!

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