All Stories from Southern CA

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  Arboretum Season

  All is not always calm this time of year, but peace reigns at Fullerton Arboretum, a quiet 26-acre oasis in the middle of urban Orange County. It’s on the campus of Cal State Fulle

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  Verdugos on Draft

  Test your vitality and revive your energy via a 3-mile (round-trip) out-and-back trek in the Verdugo Mountains and a hoppy reward at nearby Brewyard Beer Company or at a tasty

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  Downtown’s Views and Brews

  Take a sizable public park and a craft brewery, put them near one another, and what do you have? Well, in this case, a walk through LA’s back pages at Los Angeles State Historic Park and a refreshing beverage afterward at the Highland Park Brewery.

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  Mount Lowe, Meet Mt. Lowe!

  Mount Lowe? Sure, it’s a magnificent summit in the San Gabriels. Mt. Lowe? Sure, it’s a brilliant brewery in the San Gabriel Valley. Both are true, and that’s something to celebrate with a hike and a hoisting of a beer at Arcadia’s Mt. Lowe Brewing. Company.

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  Sipping Through the Valley

  Anderson Valley is best known for its pinots, but you'll find almost every kind of wine here ... so take your time. It's hard to go wrong in these parts, but here are a few winerie

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  Where to Sheep

  Located in the hills of Anderson Valley, with Adirondacks and hammocks perched perfectly for relaxation, and plenty of room to roam, Sheep Dung Properties is no ordinary name—becau

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  From Redwoods to Sea Stacks

  In the heart of Anderson Valley, Hendy Woods State Park is rarely crowded, especially in winter, and has a star attraction: ancient redwoods. There’s an easy 2-mile (round-trip) hi

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  San Diego's Rio Camino

  America’s finest city—and America’s finest hikers—have a mighty fine river to be proud of! The 52-mile San Diego River serves the city by supplying its reservoirs, and its hikers,

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  Frogtown Strutter’s Stroll

  Don’t go dismissing the Los Angeles River as merely a 51-mile concrete channel. It’s a genuine urban artery that links real neighborhoods, and its riverside bike/ped paths endear i

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  Boomburb Brew

  Well away from the LA hustle, the boomburb of Santa Clarita has nearly 80 miles of public trails ripe for exploring, including this 6-mile out-and-back along the Santa Clara River,

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  Do It for a Donut!

  Why bust your legs on this 2.25-mile hike in the San Gabriels? Two words: Donuts. Donuts. Okay, you’ll also get great views and a fine workout, but we guarantee that the treat alone merits the trek.

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  The Narrows of LA

  Whittier Narrows Recreation Area is one of those LA gems where there’s everything to do—pedal a bike, pedal a boat, paddle a kayak, hike, jog, fish, dog-walk, bird-watch, or just p

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  Shore Hike for Shave Ice

  Since the days of the long-gone Pike amusement park, the Long Beach waterfront has buzzed with beauty, boats, and buoyant fun, all of which you can enjoy on a 3.5-mile trek, follow

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  On the Ropes!

  Italy has given us great coffee, superb fashion, and an exciting way to get your outdoor thrills via, well—Via Ferrata! Part rock climbing, part alpine hiking, Via Ferrata is a bui

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  U-pick and Hike

  Some of the most delicious anywhere grow on trees high up in the San Bernardino Mountains in the town of Oak Glen, where Los Rios Rancho, So Cal’s largest historic apple ranch, grows 32 varieties, all completely organic, and available as u-picks.

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  It's All About Pumpkins!

  Underwood Family Farms is in Moorpark, and its pick-your-own crops are alway fresh and delicious! But that’s just the start of the fun during Underwood’s Annual Fall Harvest Festival. This upcoming weekend is All About Pumpkins.

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  Pumpkin Empire

  The best part of fall? Pumpkins, of course! One of the largest pumpkin patches in the state is right here in SoCal, situated on more than 20 acres of farmland in Pomona. The rare p

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  Cascade Roll

  Easy does it for this leaf-peeping, reservoir bike ride along the Cascade Trail near Nevada City. The 9-mile out-and-back pedal along the Cascade Canal Trail hugs the water’s edge,

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  The Center of It All

  Since woodsy Idyllwild is so defined (and blessed) by nature, its Nature Center is a must-visit while you’re in town—and it’s just a half-mile from idyllic Idyllwild Campground. Yo

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  Picnic with a View

  When early autumn arrives in the mountains, you never really know what you’ll get … hot days, rainy afternoons, snow. Good thing the path to Picnic Rock on the Tahoe Rim Trail is a

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