All in Southern CA

1. 

   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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2. 

   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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3. 

   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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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. 

   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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6. 

   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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7. 

   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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8. 

   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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9. 

   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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10. 

    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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11. 

    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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12. 

    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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13. 

    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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14. 

    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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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. 

    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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17. 

    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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18. 

    LA Urban Art Crawls

    Urban hikes can be just as satisfying as hitting the trail. Especially when they dazzle with edgy art, ethnic enclaves, and intriguing eateries. Here are three LA walks that get to the art of the matter.

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19. 

    Ahh-tumn Redwoods

    There's only one place where you can see the world's tallest trees ... and we're lucky enough to live just a few hours from it! This fall, motor up to the epic redwoods, wildlife, and spectacular rugged coastline of Humboldt County … we guarantee you an awe-struck weekend. Here's a plan!

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20. 

    3, 2, 1... Takeoff!

    Man’s oldest dream is to fly—so what’s keeping you? We’ve got three thrilling aerial adventures in store that will have you hang gliding, paragliding, or ziplining in no time. Adrenaline rush? You bet. Need skill? Nope. Just stop dreaming and start flying!

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21. 

    Wet and Semi-Wild

    More than 95 percent of our wetlands have been lost. We're lucky we can still visit remnants of them along the SoCal coast. They're home to a dazzling array of bird life, especially this time of year. Here are three easy walks to soothe the soul and see some of September's most active feathered friends.

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22. 

    Practically Tropical

    Sure, Hawaii and Mexico have great snorkeling. But so do our local waters! Garibaldi! (Check.) Leopard sharks! (Harmless.) Even eels! (Ditto.) And with SoCal open water at its warmest during the first two weeks of September—typically in the low 70s—now's the best time to go. In other words: no wetsuit, no problem. Go float and ogle our treasures as if you were on vacay in some tropical paradise.

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