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  1. Northern CA

    Fall for the East Bay Less Traveled

    Me time? Yes, you time! You and any of your favorite hiking buddies. Or not. However you like your space, these three less-traveled East Bay hikes deliver everything from simple serenity to peak bliss, and a plateau with room to roam.

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  2. Southern CA

    SoCal Stars Are Aligning

    SoCal has plenty of celebrities, but let's face it: some of the best stars are overhead! As we head toward winter, Mother Nature will be raining down meteor showers and, well, regular showers. Let the rain pass. The stars aren't going anywhere! From star parties and sunset hikes to relaxing under dazzling dark skies, these extra-celestial adventures are worth keeping on your radar.

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  3. Oregon

    Somewhere Stellar

    Shhh... Oregon has an astronomical secret. Deep in its high desert lies the largest certified International Dark Sky Sanctuary on the planet. And the stars aren't the only showstoppers. Hike technicolor hills and towering rock spires, soak in geothermal springs, enjoy a legendary cowboy feast, sip a beer where the night sky is on tap, and sleep in heavenly hideaways. This trip doesn't get five stars. It gets five billion!

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  4. Sponsored

    Extra-Celestial Central Oregon

    Some trips promise you the moon and the stars. And this one delivers in a big way, plus throws in some extra planets for your viewing pleasure. From Bend, Sunriver, and Sisters to Antelope Basecamp in the remote high desert.

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  5. Northern CA

    Strange Things

    Who says you need a haunted house to get into the spirit? Take a walk on the strange side of the coast and South Bay. Follow a blufftop trail with ties to a long-lost town, hike above the crashing waves near a legendary lady in blue, and discover mysterious stone walls scattered across the South Bay hills. That’s the spirit…

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  6. Southern CA

    Long Live the Legends

    Halloween has us getting into the spirit of things, especially the spirits of the dearly departed. The thing is, some legends never die. Pay tribute to them at a cemetery of Hollywood stars, a resting place for literary legends, and a haunted hillside where even the family pets have a place in history. Fluffy, is that you?

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  7. Northern CA

    Autumn Roll Call

    That cooler morning air, followed by midday sun splashing across golden hills as leaves float down from the trees … yeah, let’s go for a ride! These three Bay Area bike (and hike) trails serve up a mix of signature big views, bold reds (redwoods and wine!), and wide-open spaces.

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  8. Southern CA

    Turning Over a New Leaf

    Ready to turn over a new leaf? Autumn is too! It's a good time to slow things down and take a walk on the leafy side. From historic neighborhood trees to hidden urban forests and a surprising grove of redwoods, these three LA-area walks are just the thing for branching into a new season.

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  9. Northern CA

    Get That Autumn Glow

    Who says California doesn't get all the seasons? This time of year, the Golden State gets a glow-up: Hillsides turn honey-gold, city skylines shimmer, and coastal perches catch the last rays of the day. Here are three ways to fall for the Bay Area...

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  10. Southern CA

    That Natural Glow

    Who needs a filter? Autumn's lower sun gives Southern California a natural glow of its own, brushing sandstone formations in warm light, turning city skylines golden, and bathing mountain horizons in tangerine tones. From LA's rocky landscapes to San Diego's sunset summits, here are three ways to soak up the season's changing light.

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  11. Northern CA & Southern CA

    Where YOU Adventured This Summer!

    You understood the assignment! For our 20th Anniversary Adventure Challenge, you went near, far, and whoa, that far?! You explored secret stairways, Sierra lakes, riverside bike rides (and beers!). You ventured to the mountains and lakes of Reno Tahoe, the redwood groves and granite wonders of Yosemite, the dunes of Oregon, the shores of Washington State, and even Whistler, British Columbia. Here’s a roundup of just some of the adventures that got you going this summer. The Challenge ends this Sunday, so it’s last call to get your commemorative tee!

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  12. Man standing at Mount Tam vantage overlooking the San Francisco skyline
    Northern CA

    Three Ways to Tam!

    Our Adventure Challenge clock is ticking, and time’s running out to earn our commemorative T-shirt. Know what that means? It’s Tam time! We’ve got some easy and terrific ideas for knocking out your three adventures in one grand day, in one grand place, Marin's Mount Tam. Have a Tamtastic time!

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  13. Southern CA

    Good Griffith!

    Adventure Challenge deadline sneaking up on you? There’s still time to get outdoors and earn your commemorative T-shirt. Griffith Park has enough hikes, hidden gems, and only-in-LA landmarks to knock out three adventures in one grand day. Keep calm, Griffith’s on!

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  14. Northern CA

    Fall Peaks

    Fall is officially here, with the landscape churning earthier tones. Enjoy them by hiking up to some of the Bay Area’s most scenic peaks, including a less-traveled summit .

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  15. Sponsored

    Extra-Celestial Central Oregon

    Some trips promise you the moon and the stars. And this one delivers in a big way, plus throws in some extra planets for your viewing pleasure. From Bend, Sunriver, and Sisters to Antelope Basecamp in the remote high desert.

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  16. Southern CA

    You're So Fall of It!

    Pumpkin spice is optional. Golden landscapes, glowing sunsets, and peek-a-boo autumn hues? That's fall in SoCal. From a coastal classic to a leafy little oasis and one of LA's best sunset perches, here are three ways to fall for the season.

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  17. Northern CA

    Headspace in the Headlands

    Need a little headspace? Head for the Headlands to savor the last of summer with these beach, hike, and high-point adventures.

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  18. Southern CA

    Love Your Coast

    California Surfing Day is September 20, but you don’t need to catch a wave to appreciate the SoCal coast. Surfers have a long history of showing up for and supporting the places they love, including some pretty spectacular spots worth getting to know.

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  19. Southern CA & Northern CA

    Six Appeal

    Warning: These six adventures may make you fall hard for Reno Tahoe! We're in full swing with our 2026 Adventure Challenge, where you can earn our 20th Anniversary commemorative T-shirt just by getting outdoors. Bonus: Complete one of your adventures in Reno Tahoe and you'll be entered to win a 2-night Reno Tahoe getaway. Here are six reasons to make Reno Tahoe part of your Adventure Challenge.

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  20. Northern CA

    Long Live the Long Weekend

    As the long weekend arrives, here’s your reminder: Any adventure you find on our website counts toward completing our annual Adventure Challenge and earning this year’s exclusive commemorative T-shirt. All you have to do is three! Details on our site. Here are a few current favorites to consider.

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  21. Southern CA

    The Tea on Earning Our Adventure Tee!

    One, two, three, get our 20th anniversary tee! The long weekend is a good time to complete our Adventure Challenge: all you have to do is any three things you find on our site, which has all the details. That's it, that's the tea.

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  22. Northern CA

    Go See the Big Things!

    It’s National Park Week. Don’t just go big, go big trees! From the biggest trees to the tallest trees, these three national parks have some must-see giant sequoias and coast redwoods. 

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A Hiker looking over a mountain range

Your Inbox to the Outdoors

Stay up to date with our weekly recommendations on where to explore locally in California.

Trending Stories NorCal

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  1. Woman walking down the stairs overlooking the ocean on the Coastal Trail in San Francisco

    America's Best Urban Hike

    Long ago we dubbed it the “Grand Walk” and said it was one of the most scenic and stunning trails in the West. We were wrong. This is the most scenic urban hike in America!

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  2. Hike or Bike the Skyline

    A new section of the Bay Area Ridge Trail is open for biking, hiking, or horseback riding along the 12-mile (out-and-back) Skyline Watershed Ridge Trail.

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  3. Woman riding a bike on the the Vine Trail in Napa Valley

    Through the Grapevine

    Cycle California’s most famous wine valley on the car-free Vine Trail, an ambitious project going through the heart of Napa Valley. Park your car and ride 6 miles from Napa to Yountville for lunch.

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Trending Stories SoCal

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  1. Stars, Steaks, and Strange Brews

    Forget Michelin stars. Deep in Oregon's high desert, legendary Cowboy Dinner Tree is destination dining at its most deliciously down-to-earth, well worth the required reservation and desert drive to reach it.

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  2. Outback to the Future

    Some must-see destinations are written in the stars. Deep in Oregon's remote southern high desert lies the largest certified International Dark Sky Sanctuary on the planet. With 2.5 million acres of protected dark skies, you get the best of the celestial out here in what's known as the Oregon Outback, including geothermal soaks and an incredible playa that's a hidden gem.

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  3. Sponsored

    Extra-Celestial Central Oregon

    Some trips promise you the moon and the stars. And this one delivers in a big way, plus throws in some extra planets for your viewing pleasure. From Bend, Sunriver, and Sisters to Antelope Basecamp in the remote high desert.

    View