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  1. Southern CA

    Fall's First Hikes

    Saying goodbye to summer can be hard, but autumn brings its own beauty and seasonal fun. Here are three suggestions for that first fall hike.

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  2. Northern CA

    Panoramas and SF's Great Artdoors

    Next time you want an art and culture fix, step outside. There are some beautiful parks in San Francisco with interesting, inspiring, and thoughtful works, from murals to sculptures (including at a new public park) well worth a visit to see. The great artdoors awaits.

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  3. Woman on grassy lawn at Vista Hermosa Park in Echo Park Los Angeles
    Southern CA

    Skyline's the Limit

    Los Angeles has one of the most beautiful urban skylines in the country, and with autumn’s sun casting its afternoon glow more deeply, these three urban gems shine for the golden downtown LA views they gift.

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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. Northern CA & Southern CA

    To the Lighthouse!

    To the lighthouse! But not just any lighthouse. These three lighthouses have everything from unique histories and spectacular whale watching spots, to beautifully appointed overnight accommodations, live music concerts, and paranormal activity. Lights are on!

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  6. Northern CA

    Sky Shows

    Look up! Starry nights bring a bright side to the days’ getting shorter. And these local hikes and prominent parks shine as places to celebrate the wonders of space, stars, the moon, and planets.

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  7. Southern CA

    Now This is Some Star Power!

    SoCal’s real star power … is up in the sky! Make some plans to see the brighter side of shorter days at some prominent parks and local outings that celebrate all things celestial: moon, stars, space, and planets.

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  8. Northern CA

    Long Live Summer!

    As we approach the final stretch of summer, savor the good stuff. These popular summer adventures made a lasting impression, and can help make your summer last just a little bit longer...

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  9. Southern CA

    Summer's Home Run

    As we hit the home stretch on summer, we’re playing the long game. These outdoor adventures were popular over the season, and can help your summer linger just a little bit longer.

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  10. Northern CA

    Whale What Do We Have Here?

    Usually it’s migrating gray whales that are the star sightings on the California coast, but recently humpback whales are appearing quite close to shore here in the Bay Area, as they feast on fish. Who knows how much longer the buffet will last, but there are some great hikes where you might get bonus humpback whale sightings in the next week or so… go big!

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  11. Southern CA

    LA Stairway Culture

    Los Angeles is filled with stairway networks that bring not only great vistas but some cool culture too. From a Pacific Palisades gem designed to resemble Italy’s Amalfi Coast, to a stairway adorned by Hollywood history, here are three stairway walks worth stepping up (and down) for.

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  12. Northern CA

    No Reservations Camping and Backpacking

    Some camping and backpacking spots hit their stride in later summer, and don't require a reservation, just good timing, planning, and a little luck. From a backpacking adventure to a shimmering lake in Tahoe National Forest, to walk-in gems on the Sonoma Coast and a few first-come, first-served sites under a canopy of redwoods in Anderson Valley, these camp spots are ready if you are. Campface!

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  13. Southern CA

    How Do You Lake It?

    Time for a lake break! Now’s a good time to head out to some of California’s premiere oases. These three California adventures include refreshing lake stops that add some sparkle to your summer plans.

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  14. Northern CA

    Picnic With a View

    Room with a view, table with a view... picnic with a view! These three picnic (and BBQ) spots in the North Bay will elevate your charcuterie game.

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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

    LA Hikes + French Bakery Bonuses

    Hikes and urban walks aren’t Olympic sports, yet. But that doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate the 2024 Paris games and some 2028 LA enthusiasm! Do these less-traveled LA trails where after the sweat come the sweets! As in, some of LA’s tastiest French bakeries. Here we goooooo!

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  17. Northern CA

    Sunsets & Stargazing

    Look up! Summer nights are some of the best for lingering sunsets and stargazing glories. We've rounded up a backpacking beach trip, an observatory star party, and a prime city-to-sea vantage for observing sunsets and celestial events, including the Perseid meteor shower (peaking August 11).

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  18. Southern CA

    Celestial Style

    Summer nights bring lingering sunsets, full moon bliss, and meteor shower shows like the Perseid, currently active and peaking August 11. Check out these top places for hikes and campsites to soak in SoCal, celestial style.  

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  19. Northern CA & Southern CA

    Wild Wonders of California

    Desert, forest, city, coast—four of the Golden State’s most wild, dynamic, and resilient ecosystems—are featured in California: State of Nature, a new exhibition at the California Academy of Sciences. We’re sharing some of the best places for outdoor adventures in these ecosystems, and providing a peek inside the exhibition. Plus enter for a complimentary 2-Night Getaway on California’s “secret coast" and 4 tickets to the CA Academy of Sciences!

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  20. Northern CA

    Redwoods to Wildflowers

    Mid-summer break: Stop and smell the flowers, see the forest for the trees. These three hikes feature some of the Bay Area’s most iconic flora—from redwoods to roses, even some summer wildflowers ... with beautiful vistas too!

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  21. Southern CA

    Glowing Summer Adventures

    Brighten up your summer nights with adventures that bring some cool light! From a star-gazing campground and an upcoming Star Fest, to the silver shoreline flashes of amazing grunion fish runs, here are three fun ways to see what glows in the night.

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  22. Northern CA & Southern CA

    Where to Camp in CA: Part 2

    It's not easy getting the good stuff for camping, but with some planning ahead, or some luck with first come, first serves, it can be a magical experience. Here's our recommendations on where to sleep under the stars, and near the water, in California.

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Trending Stories NorCal

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  1. Cinematic Sonoma

    Longer days. Golden light. Wildflowers in bloom. It’s the perfect moment to plan your spring escape to Sonoma for the Sonoma International Film Festival, March 25–29. No fuss. No sprawl. Just films, friends, fresh air, and that unmistakable Sonoma glow.

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  2. Mike Zakowski (aka Mike the Baker) standing in front of his wood-fire oven at the Sonoma Valley Farmers' Market

    NEW! Walkin' and Talkin': Break Bread, Go On a Panoramic Hike

    What’s a world-traveling, medal-winning baker’s favorite local hike? Weekend Sherpa co-founder Brad Day caught up with Mike Zakowski (aka Mike the Baker) at Sonoma’s Friday farmers' market, where his wood-fired loaves draw loyal crowds. Between bites of fresh-baked bread, they talk baking, travel, and why Sonoma's Overlook Trail is one of his favorite quick, panoramic hikes.

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  3. Big Burdell!

    If you’re gonna go big on a hike, make it at Marin County’s biggest open space preserve, Mount Burdell. And go to the summit. You’ll be sharing the trail with grazing cows, seasonal poppies, and beautiful birds on this 5-mile (round-trip) adventure.

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  4. H is for Hawk Hill

    After a nearly year-long closure, Hawk Hill in the legendary Marin Headlands recently emerged with a glow-up. Thank the hearty TLC from the National Park Service. This Golden Gate National Recreation Area gem now has a new trail along with revamped spaces for taking in timeless, grand views.

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Trending Stories SoCal

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  1. Sponsored

    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
  2. Eat, Sleep, Beach, Repeat

    For an ultra-relaxing getaway where you can sit back and soak in some nature and nurture, head to Mendocino and follow this eat, beach, sleep, repeat itinerary (you won't regret it!) ...

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  3. This Skunk Doesn’t Stink!

    All aboard for a ride through history—and through air scented with redwood, dewy ferns, forest-fresh breeze, and a bonus snack and beverage bar, fire pit, and short hike. The World-Famous Skunk Train delivers in every category: scenery, greenery, and towering redwoods.

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  4. A woman standing at the pond's edge at Ernest B Debs Regional Park in Los Angeles. Trees are making reflections on the pond.

    Urban Oasis Loop

    Home to the city’s Audubon Center, Ernest E. Debs' 282-acre park features a robust network of hiking trails and surprising wildlife diversity. More than 140 bird species have been spotted here. Birdwatcher or not, this 2.5-mile route makes for a gorgeous outing.

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