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  1. Southern CA

    Adventure Plan for Palomar

    There’s a beautiful new trail at Palomar Arboretum, starry night camping on Palomar Mountain, and a panoramic lookout in Palomar State Park

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  2. Northern CA

    Love in the Great Outdoors

    Some of the best dates happen in the outdoors. Whale watching, wine tasting, walking among murals or down to a restored lighthouse … whatever your outdoor loves may be, here are some options!

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  3. Southern CA

    Romancing SoCal

    Some of the best dates are in the great outdoors. So show this to the one(s) you love and get out there!

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  4. Sponsored
    2026-02-02

    Warm Up to Winter in Reno Tahoe

    2026 is just getting started, but there’s one place already rising to the top as the best for adventure and relaxation: Reno Tahoe. The awe—and ahhhs—begin as soon as you arrive. G

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  5. Table Rock hike Robert Louis Stevenson Napa
    Northern CA

    Winter Hikes in Napa

    Before hitting the big Cabs, hit the big views! The cooler months are a fantastic time to do any of these three vista hikes that lead to huge panoramas.

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  6. Southern CA

    Winter Wander Falls

    Short hike to a waterfall? Water you waiting for! These three hikes have some sweet features that go with their flow.

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  7. Northern CA

    Winter Wildlife Wonders

    Elephant seals, birds of all feathers, combine a wildlife hike and a beer for a wild weekend!

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  8. Southern CA

    Small Towns, Big Adventures

    Three small-town explorations for you that include waterfalls, murals, and fabulous vista hikes.

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  9. Airstream at Joshua Tree
    Joshua Tree

    Desert Dream Trip

    Joshua Tree National Park is stunning in winter. Our top recommendations on exploring this dreamy desertscape in two days.

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  10. Northern CA

    Where to Whale Watch: 3 Top Spots

    Whale hello there! Here are three of the top spots for combining hikes and wine tasting with amazing vantages for spying gray whales.

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  11. Southern CA

    Short Hikes to Iconic LA Views

    You don’t have to climb to epic heights or hike great lengths to get stellar panoramas of iconic Los Angeles.

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  12. Southern CA

    Lookout Adventures

    Some of the best views are from high atop a fire lookout. Here are three to put on your bucket list.

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  13. Northern CA

    Easy Does It

    Ease into 2020 by trying something new, from a new wine country hike to a new trail in the South Bay.

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  14. Southern CA

    Classic Peak Hikes

    Get 2020 vision when you conquer any of these three classic SoCal peak hikes.

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  15. Sponsored
    2026-02-02

    Warm Up to Winter in Reno Tahoe

    2026 is just getting started, but there’s one place already rising to the top as the best for adventure and relaxation: Reno Tahoe. The awe—and ahhhs—begin as soon as you arrive. G

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  16. Northern CA

    New Year Peak Hikes

    Kick off the decade with a classic peak hike in the Bay Area. Cheers to these views!

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  17. Southern CA

    Top 10 of 2019

    It's our last issue of 2019, and that means our Top 10 edition on the outdoor adventures you liked most this past year.

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  18. Northern CA

    Top 10 2019 Adventures (Readers Favorites)

    The 2019 outdoor adventures Weekend Sherpa readers most liked in the San Francisco Bay Area and Northern California.

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  19. Northern CA

    Just in Time for the Holidays

    Get into the holiday spirit on these classic Bay Area outings that are like a yule log for your soul.

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  20. Southern CA

    Fa La La Outside

    Get into the holiday spirit by getting outdoors. Whether you’ve got friends and family in tow, or you’re just looking for a solo breather, these are classic SoCal outings for the holidays.

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  21. Central Coast

    The Coast Is Clear

    Go hike the hills, paddle to a lighthouse, and explore coastal caves near the classic beach town of Avila Beach.

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  22. Northern CA

    Griswolding Outdoors!

    Rule #1 this holiday season: Getting outdoors is a great way to clear the air, and the head, after too much spiked eggnog and turkey talk. And hell-yeah, bring the whole family—you’re all in this together, merry and bright! Here are three ways to hike, drink, and birdsong your way to holiday bliss.

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Trending Stories NorCal

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  1. Sunnyvale and Salty

    For up-close bird watching, it’s hard to beat a walk along the San Francisco Bay. This 5-mile loop on the Sunnyvale coast is a favorite of local wildlife photographers.

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  2. A man takes a break at a temple spot on a hike at Dragon Mountain in Milptas

    Dragon Quest

    The newly reopened, 4-mile out-and-back hike at Dragon Mountain in Milpitas mixes the physical with the spiritual for a serene hiking experience.

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  3. Mike Zakowski (aka Mike the Baker) standing in front of his wood-fire oven at the Sonoma Valley Farmers' Market

    NEW! Walkin' and Talkin': Break Bread, Go On a Panoramic Hike

    What’s a world-traveling, medal-winning baker’s favorite local hike? Weekend Sherpa co-founder Brad Day caught up with Mike Zakowski (aka Mike the Baker) at Sonoma’s Friday farmers' market, where his wood-fired loaves draw loyal crowds. Between bites of fresh-baked bread, they talk baking, travel, and why Sonoma's Overlook Trail is one of his favorite quick, panoramic hikes.

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  4. Hidden Botanical Garden

    Forget a dozen roses. Give your love a botanical garden. Hidden on the western slope of Sonoma Valley’s Mayacamas Mountains, Sonoma Botanical Garden has one of the Bay Area’s best displays of Asian flora—and it’s a brilliant place for a quiet picnic and some calming contemplations.

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Trending Stories SoCal

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  1. People on ice learning to curl at Hollywood Curling

    You Go, Curl!

    Hollywood Curling’s Learn to Curl classes make the perfect setting for newcomers. Take the ice, and friendly curling instructors will teach you the basics.

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  2. Sponsored

    Warm Up to Winter in Reno Tahoe

    2026 is just getting started, but there’s one place already rising to the top as the best for adventure and relaxation: Reno Tahoe. The awe—and ahhhs—begin as soon as you arrive. G

    View
  3. Fall for These Falls

    Chase waterfalls in Redding’s Whiskeytown National Recreation Area. This 42,000 acres of wilderness park is home to four waterfalls. Hike to the tallest, the three-tiered, 220-foot Whiskeytown Falls.

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  4. Oh Snow Nice

    Live in California long enough, and you’ll come to know the rite of passage called “going to the snow”–when we ditch our fair-weather cities and towns in search of winter weather. Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks deliver a winter wonderland worth a visit if there’s been a good dose of snow.

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