All in Southern CA

1. 

   Hidden Mojave

   The Mojave Desert is so vast that some of its most magical places get overlooked in lieu of the tried and true. Here are three off-the-beaten-path hikes in the high Mojave. Go now!

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2. 

   Very Presidential!

   It's not fake news! From high desert hiking to trying your hand at curling, these adventures are tops for President's Day weekend. Go bigly!

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3. 

   Sweet Escapes

   Roses and chocolates are cool, but how about a hike and a cabin escape? Here are a few ways to get your engine going outdoors over Valentine’s Day!

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4. 
   Sponsored

   2025-10-29

   Redding Lights and Silent Nights

   Give your holiday events calendar a major glow up this winter in California’s sunniest city. Redding is a revelation: Surrounded by iconic scenery like Mount Shasta, Lassen Volcanic National Park, and Whiskeytown National Recreation Area.

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5. 

   Westside Rides

   Traffic-free bike rides on LA’s westside? You bet. We’ve got two premier mountain bike routes that lead right into the wilds of the Santa Monicas from their stoop in Brentwood. One is fairly gentle; the other takes some thigh grease. Or you can opt for a classic strip of flat paved path along the coast that keeps the Pacific Ocean in view all the way. Look, Ma—no cars!

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6. 

   The Outlook Is Bright!

   The crisp, sunny days of a SoCal winter are the perfect time to hike high and be dazzled. Here’s a lineup of choice views to pursue—great workouts, each with a memorable payoff.

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7. 

   Mountain Town With the Most

   They say that Mt. Bachelor just outside of Bend, Oregon, is a volcano. But we could swear it's a magnet, attracting outdoor enthusiasts from all across the West. The glorious mountain town of Bend offers every kind of adventure in winter: ski, hike, snowshoe, river surf (!) .... And with 24 craft breweries, your thirst for more adventure is easily quenched.

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8. 

   Howling Good Hikes

   You don’t have to own a dog to love these hikes, but if you do, you’ll definitely make your furry friend happy. Each of these trails is super accessible and serves up great views. (Your dog does savor brilliant vistas, right?) These are also hikes that might be a tad warm in summer or fall, so now is the perfect time to pack up the pooch and go frolic together.

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9. 

   From the Desert to the Sea

   San Diego County is Southern California’s Southern California, which is to say it has magnificent deserts, rugged mountains, and a storied coastline all in close proximity. Here’s a taste of all three geographies—legstretcher walks to start off your year in true SoCal style.

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10. 

    SoCal's Top 10 Adventures of 2017

    A wise man once said looking back is looking forward. Actually, we just made that up. But we do enjoy looking back at some of your favorite adventures from 2017. Here's to getting outside even more in 2018!

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11. 

    Easy Holiday Outings

    We've had a rough couple of months, from the wine country wildfires in Northern California to the current fires in Southern California. But no fire can snuff out the California spirit. If you're looking for ways to find some comfort and a little adventure this season, here are three outings to please kids from 1 to 92.

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12. 

    Caffeinated Adventures

    We love our wild spaces, but we also love a great coffee drink! From mountain biking to hiking, here are three explorations, each with a tasty payoff—the nearby presence of a very cool coffee house.

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13. 

    Secret Gardens

    We’d be surprised if you’ve heard of, let alone visited, all three of the “secret” gardens we highlight this week. Such is the beauty of SoCal, where natives and exotics grow in abundance, and fantastic preserves showcase them for our walking and viewing pleasure. Secret's out!

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14. 

    6 SoCal Thanksgiving Hikes

    When you've hit your max on turkey and pumpkin pie, it's time to make a pilgrimage to the outdoors. From Los Angeles to the desert, here are some good adventures to work up another appetite. Grateful for the great outdoors.

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15. 
    Sponsored

    2025-10-29

    Redding Lights and Silent Nights

    Give your holiday events calendar a major glow up this winter in California’s sunniest city. Redding is a revelation: Surrounded by iconic scenery like Mount Shasta, Lassen Volcanic National Park, and Whiskeytown National Recreation Area.

    View
16. 

    Rock Your World!

    Big rocks have a way of making you feel bold. Or boulder, if you will. We’re not talking technical climbs here, but rather stony summits and rocky routes that invite a bit of scrambling and bring out your inner explorer. Why just stroll when you can rock ’n’ roll?

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17. 

    Winter Wanderlands

    Winter brings all kinds of adventures to Southern California: photogenic desert rambles, snowy Sierra outings, chilling in Griffith Park... Here are some winter classics!

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18. 

    Stranger Flings

    Remnants of faded dreams and nefarious schemes can make for pretty compelling journeys. Here are three hikes into history that also serve up some nifty vistas.

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19. 

    Gamboling in the Slots

    You don’t have to journey to Utah for the slithery fun of exploring slot canyons. We have some stellar examples of our own, where nature has sculpted solid rock into tight but passable corridors. Challenging? Sometimes. Fun? Always.

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20. 

    Walkin' LA!

    Los Angeles is one of the world’s most diverse cities, a beautiful confluence of local and global influences, including in the great outdoors. Here are some great ways to combine stepping outside and exploring the art, culture, even the coffees (!) of LA.

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21. 

    Spirited Adventures

    Time to get weird! Yes, it’s the season for visiting the undead in a living ghost town, getting lost in a corn maze, and hiking to an iconic jack-o’-lantern atop a local mountain. Nothing too creepy—just good weird fun in the spirit of Halloween!

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22. 

    Rocky Picture Shows

    What a show to behold! The strangest forces of SoCal geology could star in their very own cult movie. Crazy uplift, bizarre evidence of faulting, massive lava flows, weird underwater formations risen to the desert surface—they’re all ripe for exploring if you know where to look. And we do!

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