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1. 
   Northern CA

   Swimming Hole Gold

   While Michael Phelps goes for gold at the upcoming Rio Olympics, you can keep your goals more modest: Aim for bronze in belly-flopping! From Placerville to Santa Cruz, here are three swimming holes that top the podium for summer fun.

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2. 
   Southern CA

   Stairway Hikes to the Sea

   It’s no secret that Santa Barbara is home to some of California’s most beautiful beaches—popular and hidden! Take things a step further … make that several steps further, by combining your beach outing with a stairway walk to the sea. Here are three!

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3. 
   Northern CA

   Midsummer Adventure Montage

   It’s the last week of July and you know what that means? We’re halfway through the Adventure Challenge! There’s still plenty of time to participate. Just get out on any 3 Weekend Sherpa adventures and take a photo of yourself. Upload your photos to our Facebook or your Instagram with #WeekendSherpa by September 11 to get your free Marmot T-shirt! Need a few ideas? Here are some adventures!

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4. 
   Sponsored

   2026-09-02

   Reno Mountain High

   Take your vacation to new heights with some of the season’s most original events, and plenty of outdoors to explore. Fall for it all in Reno Tahoe.

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5. 
   Southern CA

   Bonus Sherpa: Lake Adventures

   Ready to cool off? From Mammoth to Tahoe to Big Bear and Sequoia, here are a few outstanding ways to hike, bike, backpack or just lounge by some of California's most famous lakes. Better lake than never!

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6. 
   Southern CA

   Verdugo Views

   Next to the San Gabriel Mountains lie the Verdugo Mountains, a small range with wild hiking trails that deliver big on elevation gain, and beautiful panoramas! Verdu-go!

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7. 
   Northern CA

   Take the Long View

   It's summer, no need to have a long face when the days are still long! Grab some friends and head out on a long hike while daylight's still on your side. Go long!

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8. 
   Southern CA

   Hot for Summer Adventures

   Time flies when you're hiking to peaks, kayaking through caves, biking by the sea, and playing disc golf on a mountain! We're almost halfway through our annual Weekend Sherpa Adventure Challenge, but there's still plenty of time left to get your free Weekend Sherpa T-shirt made by Marmot! Need a few ideas? From mountains to sea, here are some great ways to get outdoors this summer!

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9. 
   Southern CA

   Groovy Hikes in Gaviota

   Just 33 miles west of Santa Barbara on Highway 101, Gaviota State Park is wild, windswept, and spectacularly scenic, with marquee hikes highlighted by brilliant vistas, endurance challenges, craggy caves, and hot springs. Get groovy with it!

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10. 
    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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11. 
    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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12. 
    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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13. 
    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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14. 
    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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15. 
    Sponsored

    2026-09-02

    Reno Mountain High

    Take your vacation to new heights with some of the season’s most original events, and plenty of outdoors to explore. Fall for it all in Reno Tahoe.

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16. 
    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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17. 
    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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18. 
    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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19. 
    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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20. 
    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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21. 
    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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22. 
    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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