All Stories from Greater California

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  Spooky Spelunking

  Not all of nature's stunning views come from bagging a peak. Sometimes it's what lies beneath that's more intriguing. Venture below Sequoia National Park's soil and discover an ext

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  Crystal Caving

  Not all stunning vantage points are above the tree line. Sometimes it’s what lies beneath that’s really interesting! Venture below Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park’s soil and

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  Big Baldy

  Giant sequoias are the main attraction in Kings Canyon National Park, but the granite peaks around here aren’t too shabby either. In fact, they’re epic. Venture down Generals Highw

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  Nature's Royal Treatment

  Dwarfed beneath a ring of behemoth sequoias sits Kings Canyon National Park's iconic John Muir Lodge. All 36 rooms in the secluded stone and timber retreat have eco-friendly décor

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  Pebble Beach Hopping

  Ready to hop on a two-wheeler for one of the most scenic coastal cruiser rides on earth … featuring a string of beautiful beaches and a fire-pit respite overlooking the ocean? Gear up for this easygoing 13-mile (round-trip) ride along the Monterey coast.

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  Yes Sur!

  A hidden coastal hike in Big Sur, a beautiful beach, and maybe a little wine-tasting afterwards? Sounds like a plan! First, the hike. Big Sur's Garrapata State Park is a coast-hugg

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  Carmel's Calming Effect

  SUNSET: Sunsets in Carmel just go better when paired with its flagship beach (and some wine, which is allowed on the beach!). Carmel Beach (pictured) is a locals' favorite for many

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  Dunes of Death Valley

  You won't find a body of water here, but you will find big waves … of sand! Bring snacks and a beverage to enjoy at one of the world's premier picnic spots—the Mesquite Flat Sand D

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  Yosemite Sands

  Dip your toes in the refreshing waters of the Merced River at one of the best picnic spots in Yosemite Valley, Cathedral Beach. This day-use area on the western end of the valley d

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  Strolling Stornetta

  Big Sur has some competition. Located along the rugged Mendocino County coastline, the 1,665-acre Point Arena-Stornetta Public Lands is a spectacular place to meander for miles along bluffs overlooking small coves, sea caves, dunes, and clusters of offshore islands.

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  Sundowner Plan

  Getting a little coastal R&R means several good things when you stay at Mendocino's Brewery Gulch Inn. Reclaimed redwoods, for starters. That's the material that was used to constr

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  June in September

  Fall may be June's best season. At least, when it comes to lakeside lounging. Set beneath the spiky mountain backdrop of the Ansel Adams Wilderness and looming Carson Mountain, Jun

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  Drama-ramic Hike

  It's not just the granite peaks—including famous Mount Morrison—encircling Convict Lake that make it such a dramatic place. Carved by glaciers from the Ice Age, this giant canyon f

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  Mammothly Epic Hike

  You're going to need your hiking game-face for this adventure. Trekking in the Sierra high country at any time of year requires common sense and a check of the weather; doing it du

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  Waterfall Way to Spend the Day

  Three waterfalls, two swimming holes, and a beautiful hike to boot: That's some H2-Oh! And September's a good time to visit McCloud River falls for a 3.8-mile (round-trip) hike. Lo

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  Life's a Hidden Beach!

  You want your California beach camping to be off the beaten path? Just add Jalama! Tucked away in Lompoc, about 60 miles west of Santa Barbara, Jalama Beach County Park has a hidde

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  There's Always To Morro

  The Central Coast is famous for its beautiful beaches, and the one in Morro Bay State Park is a favorite. A popular place for enjoying a calm kayak paddle, it's also the site of a

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  All in a Good Nest's Sleep

  A befitting way to get a bird's–eye view of Big Sur's beauty? Camp out in a human nest! Big Sur Treebones Resort (famous for its luxury yurts along the Pacific Coast) offers a trul

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  Camping Hendy-eed!

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  Rainforest Hike to Hidden Hot Springs

  Located on the far flung rugged west coast of Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Tofino is set on Clayoquot Sound, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve with old-growth rainforest, barely

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