Fall Classics of Southern California

The orange crush of autumn is here. From stunning sunsets to hikes showcasing the warm hues and pumpkin comforts of harvest, here are some SoCal classics worth falling for.

Week: 09.07.2016
Regions: Southern CA

Hollywood Sunset

Sunset hike to Hollywood Sign in Los Angeles

We know, we know, there are all kinds of ways to hike to the Hollywood sign. But to see this icon in its best light, go closer to sunset and take the short, classic route up Mount Lee in Griffith Park. A late-day start means fewer people, less heat, and more lenient parking regul
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Two Hikes, Trees Company

Hike Hidden Valley and Barker Dam in Joshua Tree

If you have time for only one hike during your visit in Joshua Tree National Park, do two! Located just 5 miles from the park's main entrance—and within 5 minutes of each other—the Hidden Valley and Barker Dam loops combine for a total of 2.5 miles, and make a great way to see th
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Towsley Tramp

Towsley Canyon Loop

Kickstart the season with a workout hike featuring outstanding panoramas, meaty switchbacks, shaded sections for cooling breaks, bizarre rock formations, and miniature tar pits. The 5.1-mile (round-trip) Towsley Canyon Loop in Ed Davis Park starts on a dirt path that passes throu
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LA Story

Watch the Sunset from Barnsdall Art Park

Like a good Hollywood story, the Barnsdall Art Park made a great comeback. Once an overlooked urban space in LA, this 36-acre East Hollywood hillside park is now a burgeoning center of art and local history.
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How Do You Like Them Pumpkins?

Hike Oak Glen Preserve and U Pick Pumpkins

If it weren't for pumpkin spice lattes at Starbucks, we Angelenos might never know that fall has arrived. Unless you know about Oak Glen’s good old fashioned u-pick pumpkin and hiking adventure combo.  Nestled in the San Bernardino Mountains just 90 minutes outside of LA, this ti
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Lizard Like

Coastal hike to Lizard's Mouth in Santa Barbara

As a coastal enclave where beaches meet mountains, Santa Barbara County is one of those places that run the risk of having too much of a good thing. But fortunately we know a spot where you get views of both! Up on a ridge off a highway cutting through Goleta and Santa Barbara yo
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Alabama Backdrop

Hiking among rare formations at Alabama Hills in Owens Valley California

Despite being named for a Confederate warship, the CSS Alabama, there’s nothing Southern about the Alabama Hills. This range of rocky hills between the eastern slopes of the Sierra Nevada and the town of Lone Pine in the Owens Valley is Californian to the core, embodying a mythic
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Stairway to Stonewall

Hike Stonewall Peak in San Diego

The Cuyamaca Mountains east of San Diego are well known as a wildlife haven, and outdoor enthusiasts know it. So how do you escape the crowds? Adventure up! To 5,737-foot Stonewall Peak. This 4-mile (round-trip) hike leads to a brilliant panorama. The trailhead is accessed from t
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Trending Stories NorCal

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  1. Barbary Coast Trail medallion hike in San Francisco

    Medallion Walk SF

    The Barbary Coast Trail is a 3.8-mile historical walk and treasure hunt through San Francisco. Be on the lookout for hubcap-sized bronze medallions placed on the city sidewalks with arrows pointing you in the right direction.

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  2. Greater by the Dozen

    This hike is anything but a dime a dozen. The all-new "Golden Gate Dozen Trail" links 12 National Park sites on a spectacular 13-mile journey across San Francisco's coastline.

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  3. Inn-spiration Point!

    For more than a century, people have been hiking or mountain biking to West Point Inn for good reason. Perched at 1,785 feet on the southern slope of Mount Tamalpais, the historic inn has sweeping views from the Marin Headlands to the San Francisco skyline.

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  4. A Thousand Steps to Paradise

    A picture is worth a thousand words, but is a gorgeous beach in Laguna worth a thousand steps? The answer is yes, though the question is moot, because it’s only 223 steep steps down to the 400-yard stretch of sand known as 1000 Steps Beach.

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Trending Stories SoCal

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  1. Roaring Redwoods

    Tucked next to brilliant Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park in Santa Cruz, the folks at Roaring Camp Railroads had a bright idea: When the sun goes down, the rainbow lights come up. Sequoias at Night brings big magic to some of the tallest trees in the world.

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  2. There's Always To Moro!

    Looking for a rock-solid itinerary in Sequoia National Park? Pair the park's most famous viewpoint with one that's often overlooked.

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  3. Rancho Style

    Vicente Bluffs Reserve dazzles anytime, but during the golden hour it’s an absolute knockout. Majestic rocky bluffs, dreamy ocean views, and a picturesque lighthouse are just a few of the reasons.

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  4. Sponsored

    Take the Exit to the Best of the San Francisco Peninsula

    The San Francisco Peninsula is proof that some of Northern California’s greatest surprises are hiding just off Highway 101. All you have to do is take the exit.

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