A woman stands amid an array of yellow and purple flowers at Descanso Gardens in Los Angeles

Summer Mix

Spring into summer with this mix of gardens, lagoons, parks, canals, and bakeries! From urban walks to serene paddles, here are five ways to have a variety of outdoor experiences.

Week: 05.27.2025
Regions: Southern CA

Petal Paradise

Visit the Beautiful Descanso Gardens in Los Angeles

A woman stands amid an array of yellow and purple flowers at Descanso Gardens in Los Angeles
A woman walks by a blooming cherry blossom tree at Descanso Gardens in Los Angeles
A woman is admiring the cherry blossom trees at Descanso Gardens in Los Angeles
Tulips, lilacs, and daffodils—flower power is in full bloom at Descanso Gardens in La Cañada Flintridge. Sprawling across 150 acres surrounded by mountains, the gardens are putting on their best show right now.
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Canal Contemplations

Stroll the Venice Canals in Los Angeles County

Woman walking in the Venice Canals of Los Angeles County
With its incense-scented boardwalk, bohemian shops, skateparks, and abundance of body builders, Venice is happily eccentric, and artistic. Exhibit A: Its network of European-style canals with charming bridges, offering a tranquil tour of the town’s history.
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Vista Hermosa, Echo That!

Explore Vista Hermosa Natural Park in Echo Park

Vista Hermosa Park in Echo Park Los Angeles
Woman standing at Vista Hermosa Park Overlook, looking out to the Los Angeles downtown skyline
Woman walking a path among trees at Vista Hermosa Park in Echo Park Los Angeles
Woman on grassy lawn at Vista Hermosa Park in Echo Park Los Angeles
Tucked in Echo Park, the little-known gem of Vista Hermosa Natural Park feels worlds away thanks to its serene beauty and thoughtful design. At 11.5 acres there’s still plenty to explore. And it's got a premier view of the iconic Los Angeles skyline.
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Bakery to Bakery Urban Art Walk

Do a bakery to bakery urban art walk in Pasadena

With nearly 600 restaurants, Pasadena rivals New York City in terms of establishments per capita. Translation: There’s a lot of food to choose from! French eateries are no exception. In the spirit of the Olympics, take a victory lap on a 3,500-meter (2.2-mile) bakery-to-bakery walk with some beautiful artdoors to see along the way.
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All in for Agua Hedionda

Paddle and Hike at Agua Hedionda in Carlsbad

The stunning San Diego coastline is no secret—it’s got some of the most pristine sandy shorelines in the world. But just beyond some of those stretches lie beautiful, less-frequented hidden gems: lagoons! For some oar-some kayaking and a few short and sweet hiking trails, choose Agua Hedionda.
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Trending Stories NorCal

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  1. Bear Hug

    This 5.5-mile loop through Coyote Lake-Harvey Bear Ranch County Park explores one of the newest segments of the acclaimed Bay Area Ridge Trail, one redolent with trees ranging from madrone and manzanita to buckeye and blue elderberry (with a bubbly post-hike bonus).

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  2. Field of Light at Sensorio in Paso Robles

    Light This Way

    Hidden in the bucolic hills of Paso Robles lies one of the greatest light shows on earth. The lighted art exhibition, Sensorio, is as if the rainbow magic of the aurora borealis was plucked from the sky and planted in the fields.

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  3. Bikers and walkers on the Bay Area Ridge Trail with the Golden Gate Bridge behind them

    National Park City Walk

    See San Francisco the way locals do by hiking the Presidio, a national park right in the city! Wooded trails, secluded beaches, and epic views of the Golden Gate Bridge feature on this 5.5-mile out-and-back on the Bay Area Ridge Trail. It’s a lovely slice of the City by the Bay.

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  4. Bucks Up!

    Come on in, the water is beautiful. Whether you like swimming, kayaking, stand-up paddling, or heading out on a bigger boat, Bucks Lake is a high mountain haven that’s easy to access, blissfully uncrowded, and surrounded by sandy beaches, picnic areas, pines, and aspens.

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Trending Stories SoCal

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  1. Sponsored

    Tram to Cool Treks

    Elevate your fun, getting whisked from palm trees to alpine wilderness on the world’s largest rotating tramcar. The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway transports you up and away on a 2.5-mile scenic route from the desert floor to the refreshing wilderness of Mount San Jacinto State Park.

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  2. Coming Up Roses

    Looking to spice up your hiking life? Give your partner a rose—Mount Rose! The 10-mile out-and-back peak hike goes up to one of the grandest views in all of Lake Tahoe. Get ready f

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  3. A group of people clamored around the summit marker at Mission Peak in the Bay Area

    Your Mission Is Less Crowded

    Mission Peak is one of the Bay Area’s most popular mountains, with many hikers climbing every weekend. Skip the crowds with this 6-mile loop up the less-traveled southern route.

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  4. Vista Hermosa Park in Echo Park Los Angeles

    Vista Hermosa, Echo That!

    Tucked in Echo Park, the little-known gem of Vista Hermosa Natural Park feels worlds away thanks to its serene beauty and thoughtful design. At 11.5 acres there’s still plenty to explore. And it's got a premier view of the iconic Los Angeles skyline.

    View