All in Southern CA

1. 

   Dip Paddle Here!

   SoCal has some dazzling paddling possibilities, and it’s quite possible you haven’t considered any of them. Time to get your paddle wet! Our top current faves: the fabled waters off Malibu, the storybook canals of Long Beach, and the Los Angeles River. Whoa, there! Did we say the LA River? You betcha! Our most famous concrete waterway has natural stretches that you have to see to believe. Happy paddling!

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2. 

   Time to Go Camping!

   Long days, fine weather, and that restlessness you feel when you haven’t slept out under the stars for a while. Yes, it’s camping season, and we’ve got three great national forest campgrounds in mind, each within a couple of hours of DTLA. Bonus: They’re all first-come, first-served—just arrive early if you’re weekending.

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3. 

   Adventure Island

   Meet Two Harbors, the tiny town that straddles Catalina’s Isthmus—the adventure venue that most island visitors never see. It’s a springboard for cool hiking and paddling amid mountain landscapes, sparkling seascapes, inspiring views, and blessed isolation, a world apart from the hubbub of Avalon. It has one restaurant, one lodge, one store, one campground, and it’s one heckuva lot of fun.

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4. 
   Sponsored

   2026-04-15

   No Limits Family Trip: Reno Tahoe

   What if your next family getaway didn’t come with a set agenda—just the freedom to go where the day takes you? Find yourselves in Reno Tahoe, a land of no limits and plenty of outdoor bounty.

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5. 

   LA Outdoor Confidential

   Long weekend: check. Lucky enough to live in the Golden State: check. Wondering what to do this long weekend in the Golden State? Check out these hikes, bike rides, waterfall adventures, and a place to catch the sunset. Long live the long weekend!

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6. 

   Let the Adventures Begin!

   The Weekend Sherpa Adventure Challenge is back for its sixth year! Don’t let the name intimidate you: it’s free and easy to participate. Just get outdoors over the next few months and take a photo of yourself in action! And we’re excited to be teaming up with Line 39—their wines are the perfect partner to weekend adventures.

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7. 

   Better Than Brunch

   In a pinch for a Mother’s Day plan? Three of our Los Angeles based writers took their moms on Weekend Sherpa explorations—a cruiser bike ride with wine tasting...a coast-hugging hike...a whole garden instead of a bouquet. Each adventure has been Mom-tested and approved. Cheers to you, Mom!

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8. 

   Mojave Mojo!

   Ready to get your mojo working? Hoodoos, tortoises, and a hermit’s tunnel to nowhere—they’re all part of the wondrously weird, easy-to-explore high desert just beyond the town of Mojave.

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9. 

   San Diego Rechargers

   Jump in a brisk waterfall pool, hike the coast among rare Torrey pines, or savor a sunset from the city’s best viewpoint—you’ll dig these Diego adventures!

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10. 

    Date with the Outdoors!

    Go out this summer and do any activity we've ever written about in Weekend Sherpa (seriously, there's 10 years' worth of outdoor activities!) and earn yourself some excellent gifts, including a Weekend Sherpa t-shirt and travel wine glasses from our "partner in wine," Line 39. Here are few ideas to get you going!

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11. 

    Free and Wild in Joshua Tree

    Joshua Tree National Park in spring is full of color, and visitors! But these three hikes in the heart of the park take you away from the crowds and into the park’s solitude, where signature trees grandstand, boulders are bountiful, and wildflowers paint the landscape like a rainbow. Bonus: Free admission this weekend for National Park Week!

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12. 

    Waterfalls, Wildflowers, Wow!

    Wanna make a colorful splash this Easter weekend? Here are some hikes with waterfalls, wildflowers, or a brilliant combo of both. Hop to it!

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13. 

    Springtime Stairway Walks

    Who's game to take the stairs? Put a spring in your step this season by hiking any of these SoCal staircases leading to hidden wonders!

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14. 

    Call of the Wildflowers!

    It's our best wildflower season in years! Here are three SoCal hikes for seeing a dazzling array of color and blossoms.

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15. 
    Sponsored

    2026-04-15

    No Limits Family Trip: Reno Tahoe

    What if your next family getaway didn’t come with a set agenda—just the freedom to go where the day takes you? Find yourselves in Reno Tahoe, a land of no limits and plenty of outdoor bounty.

    View
16. 

    Last Chance Waterfalls

    Ah, what a little rain will do for Southern California. Early spring is our time to savor storm-fed streams tumbling into seasonal waterfalls that are often dormant due to droughts. Drink up on these three see-them-while-you-can hikes!

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17. 

    Green Hikes & Guinness

    There’s something about a verdant landscape that lightens hearts and makes Irish eyes smile. We salute St. Patrick’s Day and the spirit of Éire with three hikes in this greenest of seasons—plus a suggestion for a post-hike beer (or two!) to cap off the end of each outing. Sláinte!

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18. 

    Magic Hour Wanders

    With the time change happening this weekend (spring forward!), take advantage of the last of short days. Here are three sunset-view hikes to say goodbye to winter.

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19. 

    High Hikes with Bragging Rights

    When winter storms clear the SoCal skies, stunning vistas unfold. Here are three hikes with enough elevation gain to make you feel proud for living near such wild beauty. And for reaching the top!

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20. 

    Oscars Gone Wild!

    Celebrate the Oscars this weekend with short hikes through SoCal’s long film history. Here are three old movie ranches where the setting is the star of the show.

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21. 

    Spring Hikes

    Ahhh, sunny spring days! With all of winter's rain, the trails are super-charged. Here's a roundup of some SoCal spring hiking classics.

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22. 

    Long Weekend, Local Outdoor Adventures

    Need a little outdoor inspiration for a long weekend? How about hiking up to Inspiration Point, or to the top of a Palm Springs peak, or to waterfalls! Here are a few ways to let off a little steam and enjoy the outdoors.

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