All in Southern CA

  1. A woman on a horse looks out to the mountainous scenery that a man on another horse is pointing towards in Paso Robles at the historic Santa Margarita Ranch with Central Coast Trail Rides

    Change of Scenery

    Whether you've got a full day or can spend a night or three, venturing out for a change of scenery is good for the spirit. Here are some ideas for taking time to enjoy new experiences that are a road trip (or short flight) away!

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  2. Spelunking Good Time

    Caving doesn’t have to be dark and dramatic; some SoCal caves give just enough adventure for a thrill, without going too deep. When the weather clears and conditions are drier, these three hikes to caves offer everything from unique features to photogenic slips of light.

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  3. A woman walks along a path next to the beach as the sun sets at Palisades Park in Los Angeles County

    Urban Parks, Hidden Stairways

    Getting away doesn’t have to mean going far. Go local by hiking and exploring urban parks and hidden stairways with classic skyline scenery, sunset vistas, picnic spots, and gorgeous gardens. 

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  4. Sponsored
    2026-02-02

    Warm Up to Winter in Reno Tahoe

    2026 is just getting started, but there’s one place already rising to the top as the best for adventure and relaxation: Reno Tahoe. The awe—and ahhhs—begin as soon as you arrive. G

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  5. Let the Spirits Move You

    Happy Halloween weekend. Head out on these spirited adventures, including a visit to one of the coolest living ghost towns around and some boo-tiful places to picnic or hike.

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  6. Oh So Comfort-Fall

    Pumpkin spice lattes are great but if you're ready to dial up your seasonal comforts, add some easygoing outdoors to the mix. Here are three ways to combine sweet treats with sweet hikes.

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  7. Animal Therapy

    The thing about animals is that they're amazing. And they bring both comfort and delight when you get to visit them at local farms and sanctuaries in Los Angeles County. From gardens and adobes filled with farm animals, to a sanctuary rescue offering a guided tour, here are three amazing places to get your share of adorable animals.

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  8. Don't Overlook These Amazing Overlooks

    Good perspectives are nice to find, and Southern California is good at providing them! Cue these three outdoor experiences where you can step outside and over or up to some premier overlooks with scenery from shimmering skylines to inspiring wild lands.

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  9. Jamul in Fall

    Oak trees, tranquil meadows, huge vistas, and wonderful wineries make this San Diego County destination an unexpected hiker's haven. With crisper air coming (we think!) now's a good time to explore this region of canyons, peaks, and wildlife areas. Pair your hike with visits to laid- back wineries. You autumn know about Jamul!

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  10. Splendor in Sequoia's Redwoods

    California’s first national park positively beams with beauty, in large part because of its famous big trees. The forest here is filled with Sequoia trees, big red beauties rising toward the sky like ancient columns. From the otherworldly Stump Trail to a twofer of trails where you can find tranquility, plus where to sleep under the majesty, take this giant leap in early autumn! 

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  11. Field These Trips

    It's a field trip for all this fall. Los Angeles County has all kinds of ways to be outside and explore some art and history. Discover the Ice Age in LA's downtown; go on a hike and check out historic train cars in Griffith Park; or do a commemorative walk combining an outdoor classroom of art. Here are three ways to learn from nature.

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  12. Log Some Lagoon Time

    Log out and get out...outside to some sublime lagoons for walking, wildlife sightings, and a breath of fresh nature. Here are three less known lagoons well worth a wander.

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  13. Walk This Way

    A few of our adventure writers have some great ideas for easy, fun, and colorful strolls in Los Angeles County, which happen to be great ideas for our Adventure Challenge, ending soon! Get your complimentary custom t-shirt before they're all gone. Walk this way....

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  14. Five Faves for the Long Weekend

    Ahhh the long weekend. The end of summer is near, but you still have a few weeks to complete our Adventure Challenge. Get outdoors and send us some photos in exchange for a custom WS t-shirt, a mountain accessory bag from Topo Designs, and a chance to win a trip for 2 to Reno Tahoe. Need some inspiration? Check out these five fun outdoor escapes.

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  15. Sponsored
    2026-02-02

    Warm Up to Winter in Reno Tahoe

    2026 is just getting started, but there’s one place already rising to the top as the best for adventure and relaxation: Reno Tahoe. The awe—and ahhhs—begin as soon as you arrive. G

    View
  16. Long Live Summer

    Summer isn't over yet. There's still time to do all the things, particularly the ones you seemed to like a lot this season. From our Adventure Challenge to national parks, stargazing, and more, here are some of this summer's greatest hits...still playing....

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  17. Reno Tahoe Great Eight

    We’re halfway through our 2025 Adventure Challenge, and if you haven’t done so yet, you can still get our custom t-shirt, a Topo Designs mountain accessory bag, and be entered to win a trip for 2 to beautiful Reno Tahoe! Speaking of Reno Tahoe—from peak hikes and waterfalls to bike rides by the lake and craft brew patio pit stops, here are 8 great ways to raise your getaway game.

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  18. Ghost Towns, Gold Towns, and Underground Gardens

    There’s gold and ghosts and underground gardens in them thar California hills! From a less-known Gold Rush town to a more popular one with seasonal ghost tours, and an underground secret garden, here are some ways to have some old-fashioned adventures.

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  19. Newly Opened at CA National Parks

    What’s new at CA national parks? How about Sequoia’s newly re-opened cave tours; a sulfur spectacle that just opened for the season (and rivals Yellowstone); an overnight escape to “reset” in Joshua Tree; and a new San Francisco picnic space in the Presidio. That’s some good new!

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  20. Less-Traveled National Park Peak Hikes

    During the peak of summer, tackle some national park peaks that are less-traveled and utterly spectacular. From the largest dome volcano in the world (right here in California!) to the only national park peak in Nevada, plus a Yosemite gem that’s marvelous near sunset, here are three summits to sum up the height of summer.

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  21. Two bike riders are looking out to Lake Perris in Southern California

    As You Lake It!

    Summer by the lake sounds pretty great, and these three beauties bring something special, from bonus eats to quiet paddles and pedals amid beautiful peaks. Lake expectations met!

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  22. Woman hiker going down steps to Coast Royale Beach in Orange County, Southern California

    Beach You To It

    Looking for that quintessential summer bliss? Don't let others beach you to it! These three hike-in havens are sandy havens for the season.

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  1. Perles Beach Angel Island San Francisco Bay

    Secret Beach

    A hidden beach and a killer view? Those are hard to come by, but that’s exactly what you’ll get at Perles Beach on Angel Island. Bike or hike to this beautiful pocket cove.

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  2. Cinematic Sonoma

    Longer days. Golden light. Wildflowers in bloom. It’s the perfect moment to plan your spring escape to Sonoma for the Sonoma International Film Festival, March 25–29. No fuss. No sprawl. Just films, friends, fresh air, and that unmistakable Sonoma glow.

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  3. Hike Pescadero Marsh Natural Preserve

    Mellow in the Marsh

    Beach, birds, ice plant popping purple flowers: That’s a hiking slam dunk! Hike about 2 miles at Pescadero Marsh Natural Preserve using their easy to navigate (well-signed) Sequoia Audubon Trail.

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  4. A man is looking through his binoculars at sunrise at the Bayland Nature Preserve in Palo Alto

    Baylands Bird & Art Loop

    Combine an outdoor art walk and wildlife sightings at the Baylands Nature Preserve in Palo Alto. This 5-mile loop through Byxbee Park and the Emily Renzel Wetlands features striking installations by artists Peter Richards and Michael Oppenheimer—where the landscape itself becomes part of the canvas.

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Trending Stories SoCal

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  1. Tree Town

    Home to an estimated 21,000 trees and 100 acres of parkland, South Pasadena has earned its nickname: the City of Trees. This 2.5-mile neighborhood walk lets you experience its leafy canopy up close, winding through charming streets and three of the city’s beloved parks.

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  2. Fountain to Falls trail Monrovia

    Fountain to the Falls

    There are three ways to reach the lovely Monrovia Canyon Falls, but only one of them is worthy of being named a good challenge, with a lovely old town stroll included.

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  3. A Better Way to Baldwin

    The Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook in Culver City is one of West L.A.’s most popular hiking spots, but most visitors miss the bigger picture. This 3.5-mile out-and-back along a section of the Park to Playa Trail offers a fuller experience of this gorgeous nature park with sweeping urban views and a few artistic surprises along the way.

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  4. Stairstruck in Hollywood

    Beachwood Canyon in Hollywoodland has an action-packed adventure with A-list workouts, big-budget views, and a stair-studded cast. Running time is 1.25 miles with five staircases.

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