View All

1. 
   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.

   VIEW
2. 
   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!

   VIEW
3. 
   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.

   VIEW
4. 
   Sponsored

   2026-04-15

   No Limits Family Trip: Reno Tahoe

   What if your next family getaway didn’t come with a set agenda—just the freedom to go where the day takes you? Find yourselves in Reno Tahoe, a land of no limits and plenty of outdoor bounty.

   View
5. 
   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.

   VIEW
6. 
   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!

   VIEW
7. 
   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).

   VIEW
8. 
   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.  

   VIEW
9. 
   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!

   VIEW
10. 
    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!

    VIEW
11. 
    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.

    VIEW
12. 
    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.

    VIEW
13. 
    Southern CA

    Fourthcoming Outdoors

    Happy 4th! Things are heating up, so your best bet might be to keep things close to the coast. Here are a few WS favorites that'll have you down by the shore.

    VIEW
14. 
    Northern CA

    4th Shore!

    Happy 4th! Mother Nature sure cranked the heat for this one. So your best bet might be to head for the shore … here are a few WS favorite coastal excursions.

    VIEW
15. 
    Sponsored

    2026-04-15

    No Limits Family Trip: Reno Tahoe

    What if your next family getaway didn’t come with a set agenda—just the freedom to go where the day takes you? Find yourselves in Reno Tahoe, a land of no limits and plenty of outdoor bounty.

    View
16. 
    Southern CA

    Okay, Cool (Hikes, Beaches, Camps)

    When the heat's on in SoCal, nature's air conditioning can help if you know where to go. From camping at the beach, to seaside strolls, and high elevation hiking and bouldering, here are a few ways to help keep your cool and have a lot of fun too!

    VIEW
17. 
    Northern CA

    Waterside Rides

    Waterside bike rides come in all types thanks to Northern California’s dynamic environments. From a bike-in beach to bike rides by beautiful Bair Island and iconic Golden Gate views, here are three ways to pedal down by the bay, the sea, or the slough!

    VIEW
18. 
    Southern CA & Northern CA

    Waterfall Summer Hikes

    Some waterfall hikes are still spectacles even in early summer, especially after a snow-packing winter. From less known waterworks in the far reaches of both Yosemite and Shasta County, to a stunner in a neighboring state, here are three ways to have a waterfall start to summer.

    VIEW
19. 
    Northern CA

    Wine Country Sleeps, Paddles, and Pedals

    There’s plenty to sip and swirl around these three wine regions in the Bay Area and Northern California, but the great outdoors here also pours on the charm. From a unique place to sleep among the sheep, to a truly cool (and cooling!) river paddle, and a bike ride through bountiful vineyards, uncork these fun and unique wine country adventures!

    VIEW
20. 
    Southern CA

    Beachy-Keen Hikes

    With summer on the horizon, coastal hikes that include beaches can be a 10 out of 10 experience. Where to go? Beach ya to it! Here are three recommendations...

    VIEW
21. 
    Southern CA

    Seaside Hikes, Bike Rides, and Camp Spots in SoCal

    Sally sells seashells by the seashore, but where does Sally hike and bike and camp? By the sea, of course! Here are three seaside strolls and rolls that are simply spectacular ... and some have sleeping spot campsites too.

    VIEW
22. 
    Northern CA

    Tree Glee

    As the season heats up, find some shade amid the grandeur of redwoods in these three parks that make a big impression!

    VIEW