All "Dog Friendly" Stories in Southern CA

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  Historic Hidden Gem

  Smack in the middle of Monterey, and featuring a phenomenal view of the bay and the harbor, Lower Presidio Historic Park is truly an undiscovered gem. In fact, some historians have called it “the most historically significant site on the West Coast of America.”

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  Beauty and the Beach

  Sweeping, romantic, and vast, Garrapata State Park has all the stuff of swoon-worthy scenery. There’s a magical beach backed by hulking cliffs with a hiking trail we like best in the later afternoon, when the beach can be blissfully deserted.

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  Audio Adventure Walks

  Starting from the magnificent Monterey Bay Aquarium, do a deep dive into the interesting history of Monterey Bay on an audio tour along the Monterey Coastal Recreation Trail. The Monterey History Walking Tour is a nice way to get an overview of the beautiful bay and its diverse history.

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  Getting Salty

  Long walks on the beach are great, but what about long walks to the beach? This 7.7-mile (round-trip) to the beautiful Salt Creek Beach in Dana Point is one of the best in Orange County.

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  Whiskey You Were Here!

  Whiskeytown National Recreation Area is surrounded by miles of trails for hiking and mountain biking, beaches for lounging, and waterfalls. It’s also home to some of the best mellow paddling in the state.

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  Little Mountain, Flat Top

  The rolling hills of East Los Angeles possess many hidden gems, one of which is Montecito Heights Open Space. It’s a bit off the beaten path, and your goal is to reach the “Flat Top.”

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  Heavenly Elysian

  Founded in 1886, Elysian Park is LA’s oldest park, and one of its biggest. Spanning 600 acres, this urban playground has multiple attractive features that will keep you coming back for more.

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  Spoke and Wheel

  It’s Saturday morning—don’t just roll out of bed … roll out to the LA River Bikeway. Also known as the paved Los Angeles River Trail or the Los Angeles River Greenway Trail, whatever you call it, it makes for a nice morning ride with park stops along the way.

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  The Trail Less Traveled

  Sometimes it’s the trails less traveled that bring memories most cherished. Sun Valley, Idaho, offers a change of pace and scenery that inspires a sense of wonder and a feeling of rejuvenation.

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  Storied Trail

  If ever there was a fairy trail, this 6.8-mile lollipop loop on Sun Valley’s Proctor Mountain is it. The Proctor Mountain Trail is a storied route in more ways than one, starting with its tranquil oasis memorial for a famous writer, Ernest Hemingway.

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  Bald Statement

  If you’re going to have a rite of passage hiking in Sun Valley, the hike to the summit of Bald Mountain is one to check off your list. This 5-mile (one-way) trek requires some stamina, yet richly rewards with a variety of views and vantages, abundant wildflowers, and the chance to combine a free chairlift and gondola ride back down.

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  Two Wheels to Zen

  The family-friendly Wood River Trail goes over an historic bridge, past art sculptures and ranch-roaming horses, all amid sprawling green valley and a mountainous backdrop. Roll out from the Farmers Market at River Run Lodge and pedal the 8-mile (round-trip) ride to Sun Valley’s Sawtooth Botanical Garden.

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  Sunsets and Starry Nights in Sun Valley

  Sun Valley has the distinction of being part of Central Idaho’s Dark Sky Reserve—the first of its kind in the country. The sky here has a signature clarity thanks to dedicated efforts at limiting light pollution. Here are some top spots for viewing and photography.

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  Daley Dose of Zen

  Trees, views, and solitude—that’s a top-tier trifecta when it comes to hiking. Get it at Escondido’s Daley Ranch via the 5-mile Engelmann Oak loop, featuring stunning north county vistas and rare sightings of its namesake oaks.

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  Malibu-tiful

  Malibu is the quintessential California beach town: 27 miles of coastal beauty and thousands of acres of neighboring parkland. See many of its natural highlights on this 3.75-mile out-and-back hike to Escondido Falls.

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  Going, Going, Gonzales!

  Find the secret geographical gem that is Gonzales Canyon Open Space and explore its surprisingly large network of trails through two hidden canyons on a 3-mile loop.

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  Turf's Up!

  Crest Canyon Open Space Park is a small and beautiful green space that can be explored on a 2.2-mile loop that features famous flora, lagoon views, and sandstone cliffs. 

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  Masterpiece Marshland + Beers

  San Dieguito Lagoon is one of the biggest wetland habitats in America. Uncover the magical marshland masterpiece on a gentle 3-mile out-and-back urban hike with a pit stop at a brewery.

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  Simply Sun Valley, Idaho

  A change of scenery is like a breath of fresh air, and you benefit from both when you experience the Sun Valley, Idaho, very few people know. Nature nurtures here in the original mountain town.

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  The Great Wall of Los Angeles

  The Great Wall of Los Angeles is one of the most impressive and beautiful works of art in the entire city. See the storytelling of this half-mile-long mural via a 1-mile out-and-back through the Tujunga Greenbelt in North Hollywood.

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