All in Southern CA

  1. Call of the SoCal Wild

    Sometimes you just feel like going wild, but not too wild … just maybe enough to get a good fill of nature’s treasures like waterfalls, caves, rock scrambles, wildflowers, and wowing views. These three short hikes in Ventura County, the San Bernardino National Forest, and Riverside County pack in plenty of wild, wonderful scenery on short trails within sweeping landscape.

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  2. Road Trip to Real California

    Smack between San Francisco and Los Angeles is a part of California that flies a bit under the radar—for now. It’s where an immersive and magical light show comes to life when the sun sets over the rolling hills. It's where a guided horseback ride through wildflowers meets unpretentious wine tasting. It's where after an afternoon e-biking adventure you can kick back in a walkable downtown that's a true foodie haven. It’s authentically California. It’s Paso Robles.

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  3. Woman sitting on bench at Peters Canyon overlooking canyon scenery in Orange County

    O-Regional Hikes

    We love our national and state parks, but SoCal's also got plenty of scenic space in its regional parks. Whether you're looking for some peaceful trails or more adventurous terrain, but all with great views, here are three regional park gems worth exploring.

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  4. Sponsored
    2025-04-09

    Weekend in Reno Tahoe

    Weekend plans? Reno Tahoe! Just a few hours by car or a short flight away, Reno Tahoe springs to the moment with great ways to combine adventure and relaxation in its beautiful mountains-meets-desert setting.

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  5. A woman on a hiking trail fringed in yellow wildflowers with San Diego County's Hemet Lake in the background and a mountain.

    Wildflowers by the Waterside

    If timing is everything, then Easter arrives around the same time that SoCal blooms with a bevy of beautiful colors, courtesy of wildflowers that pop up this time of year. Here are three places where you can combine waterside adventures with some fresh blooms. 

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  6. Hike to These Heights

    Take things higher this spring. Here are three SoCal hikes where you’ll have the challenge of a climb, and the reward of inspiring "reached the top" scenery.

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  7. Spring Break National Park Hikes

    It’s not an easy time for national parks right now, so when you visit you’re going to have to pack some understanding and patience. But the marvels you’ll experience on these three hiking adventures are likely to leave you with a sense of wonder and appreciation for the glory of the great outdoors.

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

    Flower Powered Outdoors

    Stepping out to smell the flowers in Southern California is no garden variety experience. Visit these spectacular gardens for a bloomiful spring break.

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  9. Fresh and Up

    It's official: Today's the first day of spring. Step up to it with these hikes to overlooks offering fresh perspectives.

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  10. Garden Mazes and Labyrinths

    Meditative, contemplative, and peaceful, labyrinths and garden mazes make a nice place to take a breather and clear your head. Here are three to discover in Los Angeles and Orange County.

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  11. Group of people gathered around Stephanie Carrie who leads the Tree Tour of LA

    Time Out in the Trees

    Sometimes it can be hard to see the forest for the trees. But what if you just head out for some tranquility among trees as a simple way to let nature nurture (and inspire) you. From an LA Tree Tour walk to an Arboretum with Sequoias, here are some places for branching out right now.

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  12. Waterfalls, Wildflowers, Wildlife Hikes

    In that mid-stretch between winter and spring some of nature is showcasing its best bling. From a waterfall hike and bloomiful trails to wildlife sanctuaries and wild birds galore, here are some places to find nature’s shoulder season bounties.

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  13. Points for Perspective

    Points for perspective can come in many forms, whether you just want to wander and ponder in peace, stroll with friends in tranquil places, or gain a spectacular view on a peak hike. Here are a few outdoor ways to take a break and contemplate.

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  14. Swan Pedal Boats alight on Echo Park Lake

    Romance On The Fly

    Caught without a Cupid plan this weekend? When the weather settles, here are a few ideas that might hit the sweet spot for a romantic outing.

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  15. Sponsored
    2025-04-09

    Weekend in Reno Tahoe

    Weekend plans? Reno Tahoe! Just a few hours by car or a short flight away, Reno Tahoe springs to the moment with great ways to combine adventure and relaxation in its beautiful mountains-meets-desert setting.

    View
  16. See the Planets on Parade

    Look up. Are those planets on parade? Planetary alignments are stars of the night sky show for the next few weeks. Some planets can be seen with the naked eye, others require a telescope. From campsites and lodges to observatories and signature events in dark sky destinations, here are some suggestions for catching a celestial show. 

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  17. Beautiful Desert Hikes

    Has January felt like the long goodbye? Send it off with some desert perspectives, from a challenging hike offering a big point of view to a gem sunset spot and a trio of trails with enchanting scenery.

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  18. Woman hiking up canyon wall using wall rings as an assist in Mojave Desert on Hole-in-the-Wall hike

    Desert Explorations

    Winter is a good time to go exploring in these three deserts, featuring a canyon climb hike with wall rings, a hulking natural bridge, and a premier sunset and stargazing spot.

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  19. Redding For You

    New Year, new adventures: Get Redding for a 2025 group getaway. This sunniest city in California is surrounded by Lassen, Shasta, and mountainous Whiskeytown National Recreation Area. Here are a few itineraries that get you up-close animal encounters at Turtle Bay, bike riding by murals, urban food and art, even line dancing lessons at a family-friendly warehouse brew pub. Are you Redding?

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  20. Taking a Time Out

    Given the terrible devastations resulting from the firestorms, we're taking a pause on this week's issue for Southern California. Please stay safe, SoCal. Our thoughts are with all those affected by these fires. Thank you to our first responders and aid organizations.

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  21. Winter Wanders and Ponders

    Happy New Year! Take a little time out this winter for walks of wonders, and wonderings. Here are some peaceful hikes to do in beautiful nature respites.

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  22. Top of the Year!

    There were a lot of interesting and fun things to do outside in 2024, but these outdoor pursuits had a little extra zest. Here are the top 10 stories of the year. Wishing you and yours all the best as we close out the holiday season. See you in 2025!

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Trending Stories NorCal

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  1. Hike the Rainbow

    Catch all the colors of a rainbow at Calero County Park on this 10-mile hike currently showcasing the season’s best blooms.

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  2. Serene Las Gallinas

    A serene stroll alongside marshland, passing ponds and grasses frilled in seasonal wildflowers, with Mount Tam a beacon in the background … how nice. As part of the esteemed Bay Trail, San Rafael’s Las Gallinas Valley Birding Loop and Wildlife Ponds comprises about 3.5 miles of wide-open trail.

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  3. Sponsored

    Weekend in Reno Tahoe

    Weekend plans? Reno Tahoe! Just a few hours by car or a short flight away, Reno Tahoe springs to the moment with great ways to combine adventure and relaxation in its beautiful mountains-meets-desert setting.

    View
  4. Paint Brushy

    This time of year you’ll have good reason to head for the hills—the electric-green rolling hills of Brushy Peak Regional Preserve in Livermore. This 4.5-mile loop hike is like stepping into a plein air painting.

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Trending Stories SoCal

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  1. 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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  2. Diamond in the Rough

    March Madness may be over, but the wildflower rush has just begun! This spring, in the Southern California regional bracket, Hemet’s Diamond Valley Lake is our surprise pick for the Fab Flowers Finals. Take a 2-mile round-trip hike in botanical bliss.

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  3. Jurupa Jamboree

    If you like a short hike with a side of adventure, try the Jurupa Hills North Trail in Martin Tudor Jurupa Hills Regional Park.

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  4. Hiker walking along the North Bluff Trail on Santa Cruz Island, Channel Islands National Park

    Purely Wild

    Channel Islands National Park lives up to its nickname as “North America’s Galapagos.” This less-traveled national park is an undeveloped and isolated series of five dramatic and distinct islands reached by boat. Hike the largest of the islands, Santa Cruz.

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