All in Southern CA

  1. A woman stands at Dante's View in Death Valley, looking out to Telescope Peak and Manly Lake, Badwater Basin below.

    Sunrise, Sunset, Starry Desert Hikes

    March in Death Valley is (dare we say) full of life! There’s a dark sky festival to kick off the month, and the temporary Manly Lake at Badwater Basin—the lowest point in North America—is still going strong (for now). Here’s your guide to a sunrise, sunset, and starry night hiking trifecta for winter and early spring in Death Valley National Park.

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  2. Walks for Black History Month

    With a break in the stormy weather, now is a good time to venture out and pay homage to Black History Month at these monuments, landmarks, and murals in LA county. 

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  3. Dragon Days Ahead

    Lunar new year is February 10, and hopefully the wet weather won't dampen spirits for upcoming celebrations both this weekend and next. Check out these garden and urban park walks with on-site or nearby events for the Year of the Dragon!

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  4. Sponsored
    2025-08-27

    Chase Fall Colors & Family Fun in Reno Tahoe

    Ready to Reno? We’re so with you! Reno Tahoe is the ultimate urban basecamp for gathering family and friends for all kinds of fall fun and festivities.

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  5. Woman hiking on the trail at Trebek Open Space in Los Angeles County

    Post Rain Vistas

    Wait for it, wait for it ... when(ever) the rain stops, give Mother Earth a little time, then venture on some hikes that have beautiful views when the sky has been scrubbed clean.

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  6. Winter Glow Hikes

    SoCal's late afternoon sun mixed with some clouds can cast beautiful light across landscapes near and far. Here are three less known hikes for soaking in some late-day sun and beautiful scenery.

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  7. Brighten Grey Days With Urban Art & Garden Walks

    When the weather forecast is grey and gloomy with a good chance of rain, you can still hit some more urban trails and find a little color in murals and gardens. Sunnier days ahead!

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  8. Short & Mighty Workout Hikes (With Great Views!)

    No need to wait for the gyms to clear out by the end of the month. Step outside and turn your wellness dial to 11 on these three short but hearty hikes that offer a good workout and soul-quenching scenery.

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  9. Fresh Outlooks

    Happy New Year! When the rain settles, go find a fresh outlook on any of these viewtiful hikes to kickstart 2024.

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  10. Top 10 2023 Outdoor Adventures

    It's the greatest hits of the great SoCal outdoors, and a few points beyond. Here are the top 10 adventures of 2023, based on very scientific evidence (basically, what you engaged the most!). Have a happy new year and see you in 2024!

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  11. Shhh...Hikes and Walks and Super Scenic Spots

    Happy holidays. Find some merry outdoors with a less known hike, urban walk, and a super scenic hilltop spot.

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  12. Quiet Hikes

    This holiday season find a little peace in nature. These quieter hikes feature forest, lakes, and a section of the Pacific Crest Trail. Check the forecast and if the weather outside isn’t frightful, you’ll find these adventures delightful.

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  13. Get Some Holiday Space

    It's okay to ask for a little space this holiday season, including open space! From a secluded hike-in beach to an LA hill with big and bold views, plus a trail for your dog to roam alongside you, here are three great ways to space out ... outdoors!

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  14. Cinematic Coast

    Mendocino County has been the location for more than 50 movies, including classics like James Dean’s “East of Eden.” It’s not hard to see why, with its small-town charms, redwood forests, blue-green bays, rocky headlands, and sublime beaches (with hidden stairways!). Here are some easy ways to make Mendocino the backdrop of your next great escape.

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  15. Sponsored
    2025-08-27

    Chase Fall Colors & Family Fun in Reno Tahoe

    Ready to Reno? We’re so with you! Reno Tahoe is the ultimate urban basecamp for gathering family and friends for all kinds of fall fun and festivities.

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  16. Happy Ho-LA-Days

    Who's talking turkey? Not us. We're talking the great outdoors! Whether you want to sweat first on some stairways, then indulge in the pie, or are looking for casual hikes the whole family can enjoy, here are a few great ways to enjoy the holidays in Los Angeles. County

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  17. Hooray for These Holiday Hikes

    We're not talking turkey. We're talking what to do before or after the main event. Grab your favorite folks and head out for an autumn adventure, including some where you can bring your dog. Check out these hikes for some holiday spice.

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  18. Woman hiking in California desert

    Reopened and Ready

    After Tropical Storm Hilary, some of our national parks in desert locations were closed due to intense damage. The good news is they've recently re-opened, and fall brings cooler temps. From less-known canyons to perfect peaks for sunset, here are three unique desert hiking experiences open to you! --

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  19. Made for Fall Adventures

    Some hikes are best paired with fall. From fewer people to colorful foliage and formations, here are three great parks for autumn-matic consideration.

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  20. Hiking Cobb Estate Haunted Forest

    Hikes for Halloween Spirit(s)

    Spirits and ghosts and phantoms, oh my ... this Halloween weekend, go on any of these five boo-tiful hikes with hints of hauntings and creepy crawly ambience.

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  21. Falling for Paso

    Take a trip to real California this fall … the California you might not know but truly should! Paso Robles's wine country, beautiful backroads, and unfussy outdoors is an absolute revelation. Relish the bucolic landscapes, rolling vineyards, pristine lakes, rivers, and waterfalls, and spirited small town brimming with cuisine, art, and culture. Just a few hours from San Francisco or Los Angeles, here’s a road trip itinerary to see this hidden gem.

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  22. Monterey's Many Hidden Gems

    Monterey is not only stunningly beautiful by nature, it's an historical and ecological cornerstone of California. Experience its less-known state parks, hidden gem hikes, a coastal trail to a lighthouse, marvelous food and culture, and the brilliance of Monterey Bay Aquarium's newest exhibit and special guided tours.

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  1. Camp at Goose Lake in the Lakes Basin

    Duck, Duck, Goose!

    Try to get a first-come, first-served campsite at one of the Lakes Basin’s lakeside campgrounds. We love Goose Lake Campground, where there are just 13 sites and no motorized boats.

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  2. This Is Paradise

    Granite mountain-scape, superb sunset views, crystal lakes, and shoreline campsites … the trip to Paradise Lake in Tahoe National Forest lives up to its idyllic name.

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  3. Aloha from California

    Say Aloha without leaving California with a 7-mile out-and-back hiking adventure to Lake Aloha in El Dorado National Forest. You can also camp here, a premier place for stargazing.

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  4. Sequoia Re-opens Crystal Cave

    Step inside Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park's hidden world by visiting the newly re-opened Crystal Cave—the only cave in the parks open to the public. Closed for four years, this rare marble karst cavern is welcoming visitors once again, but only through the summer season!

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  1. Sponsored

    Let's Go to Paso!

    Paso Robles is a good idea in all seasons, but one season brings a special bounty: harvest season! Road-trip ready and teeming with fall colors and fun events, Paso Robles is the ultimate destination for unique autumn experiences.

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  2. Can't Top This

    San Francisco’s Presidio was already a fantastic place to hang out for the afternoon, a beautiful site within the largest urban national park in the United States (the Golden Gate National Recreation Area). And Presidio Tunnel Tops is like a cherry on top. Make that two cherries on top, with the newly opened (July 2025) Outpost Meadow, a 1.5-acre green space located at Old Mason Street across from the Crissy Field Marsh in the Presidio.

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  3. Underground Garden

    Looking to escape the summer heat? Head to Fresno and discover its cool secret: the Forestiere Underground Gardens–an enchanting garden and architecture oasis like no other.

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  4. Oh Ryan

    Sure, it’s those whimsical trees that give Joshua Tree National Park its marquee billing; but this beautiful landscape also has surrounding mountains and its night sky—one of the darkest in Southern California and designated an International Dark Sky Park. Joshua Tree has four allowable stargazing parking lots, and a newly opened haven for spending the night nearby...

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