All Stories from Southern CA
Into the Great Wild Open
Wide open spaces can be hard to come by these days, unless you know where to go. So go to Reno Tahoe! Here there are no limits to finding your true nature in the great wilds—from desert to lake.
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Nature & Nurture in Reno Tahoe
Reno Tahoe doesn’t want you to step outside of your comfort zone this fall. It wants you to leap outside of it! Find your true nature in a place where there are no limits on how you adventure, and how you relax.
View Vista Hermosa, Echo That!
Tucked in Echo Park, the little-known gem of Vista Hermosa Natural Park feels worlds away thanks to its serene beauty and thoughtful design. At 11.5 acres there’s still plenty to explore. And it's got a premier view of the iconic Los Angeles skyline.
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The Beauty of Bellingham
Located in northwest Washington State, the seaside city of Bellingham feels remote, yet it’s just 90 minutes north of Seattle. Outdoorsy, creative, and laid back, with a distinct farm-to-table culture, craft drinks, and outstanding art and shopping, Bellingham ticks all the boxes for your next getaway.
View Hecata, Yeah!
You’ll have to travel further afield for this lighthouse gem on the magnificent Oregon Coast, but some things are worth the enlightenment! Heceta Head Lighthouse State Scenic Viewpoint is worth an overnight stay if you’ve always wanted to spend the night at a historic beacon.
ViewNighty Light
Just 25 miles south of San Francisco on California’s rough-and-tumble coast lies a centuries-old beacon that’s still lighting the way for voyaging ships. Point Montara Fog Signal and Light Station—operating since 1875—has become the distinguished (and well-preserved!) elder statesman of the seaside.
ViewLight Action
Perched high upon windswept bluffs, the Point San Luis Lighthouse is the only remaining Victorian-style lighthouse on the West Coast. And you can’t simply drive up to it in your car. But you can book a van tour or do a guided hike to see the lighthouse, learn about its history, and enjoy beautiful coastal views and fun events.
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Carson City Is Calling
This state capital is where going wild means exploring the outdoors and enjoying the history and comforts of a vibrant community. Your best days are ahead in Carson City, Nevada!
View 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, hulking boulders, and its night sky—one of the darkest in Southern California. Designated an International Dark Sky Park, Joshua Tree has four allowable stargazing parking lots.
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Fall for North Lake Tahoe
Favorite fall color? North Lake Tahoe Blue! In autumn, North Lake Tahoe is not only quieter—it’s famous crystalline oasis is surrounded by vivid fall colors amid fields of aspens and mixed meadows.
View Discover the Dark
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are legendary as “the Land of the Giants,” home to the largest trees on earth—giant sequoias—and to the deepest canyon in the U.S.—Kings Canyon. The parks also have some impressive dark sky viewings.
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Welcome to Walla Walla
An eclectic, spirited gem in Washington’s scenic wine country, Walla Walla has made a marquee name for itself, including its walkable downtown wine district, and a diverse art and food scene.
View Bakery to Bakery Urban Art Walk
With nearly 600 restaurants, Pasadena rivals New York City in terms of establishments per capita. Translation: There’s a lot of food to choose from! French eateries are no exception. In the spirit of the Olympics, take a victory lap on a 3,500-meter (2.2-mile) bakery-to-bakery walk with some beautiful artdoors to see along the way.
ViewGriffith's Golden
With over 4,200 acres and hundreds of trails, Griffith Park is the gold standard. Opt for the lesser-hiked northwestern end of the park and visit the 2.25-mile Skyline and Oak Canyon loop from Travel Town.
ViewThis Urban Spot Is Tops
Once an old military command post, today the Presidio in San Francisco is the largest urban national park in the United States. It’s also home to the relatively new Presidio Tunnel Tops a park built on top of Presidio Parkway tunnels. Not only does this offer a corridor for animals and plants to thrive in, it’s also a great community space for humans.
ViewCA's Wild Coast National Park
Its nickname is “North America’s Galapagos." Channel Islands National Park comprises five distinct and isolated islands separated from the mainland by 25 miles of open ocean. The park is home to more than 2,000 terrestrial plants and animals, of which 145 are found nowhere else in the world. At the largest of the islands, Santa Cruz, embark on a guided sea kayaking exploration among the caves of the island.
ViewForest for the Trees
The world’s tallest trees can be seen in only one place: California. Specifically, Humboldt County in the far reaches of northern California. The county is a boon of rugged coastal beauty, wildlife like Roosevelt elk, canyons frilled by dewy ferns and trickling waterfalls, and yes—the tallest trees on the planet. The marquee hike for seeing the trees is at Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park (located within Redwood National Park).
ViewDesert Dreams are Made of These CA National Parks
Desert dreams are made of these two California national parks. Joshua Tree and Death Valley are both marvels for their natural formations, high ranking dark sky status, beautiful and unique blooms, and variety of animal life. Here are some of the best hikes to do in these parks.
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Enter for a 2-Night Getaway on California's "Secret Coast"
Enjoy the ultimate coastal experience with a complimentary 2-night stay at Mar Vista Farm + Cottages on the Mendocino Coast. Plus get 4 tickets to visit the California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park.
View The Great Grunion Run
Meet the Flintstones. Meet the Flockers. Meet the Grunion?! Yep. They’re the flashiest show this side of the Oscars, and they’re on a limited run. The great grunion run is when hundreds of silvery, flashing sardine-size fish make a dazzling nighttime lunge onto some SoCal beaches to lay eggs.
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Nature & Nurture in Reno Tahoe
Reno Tahoe doesn’t want you to step outside of your comfort zone this fall. It wants you to leap outside of it! Find your true nature in a place where there are no limits on how you adventure, and how you relax.
Discover Your Reno Tahoe AdventureYour Inbox to the Outdoors
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