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  1. 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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  2. 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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  3. Southern CA

    Small Towns, Big Adventures

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

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  4. Sponsored
    2026-06-03

    Take the Exit to the Best of the San Francisco Peninsula

    The San Francisco Peninsula is proof that some of Northern California’s greatest surprises are hiding just off Highway 101. All you have to do is take the exit.

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  5. 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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  6. 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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  7. 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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  8. 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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  9. 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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  10. Southern CA

    Classic Peak Hikes

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

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  11. 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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  12. 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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  13. 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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  14. 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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  15. Sponsored
    2026-06-03

    Take the Exit to the Best of the San Francisco Peninsula

    The San Francisco Peninsula is proof that some of Northern California’s greatest surprises are hiding just off Highway 101. All you have to do is take the exit.

    View
  16. 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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  17. 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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  18. 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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  19. Greenspot Farms
    Southern CA

    Weather or Not: Holiday Outdoors

    Don't let the wet weather put a damper on your holiday plans. Here are some fun and easy ways to find holiday cheer (like beer!) and seek shelter if needed.

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  20. Northern CA

    Reservoir Hikes

    If cabin fever has you thirsting for the outdoors, these three hikes are short (3 miles or less) and go straight to the source with excellent views of reservoirs.

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  21. Ladder Canyon hike Southern California
    Southern CA

    Everyone Outdoors for Thanksgiving!

    Happy Thanksgiving! Southern California has a bounty of beautiful outdoors to explore, from easy urban walks exploring architecture, to hiking up and down canyon ladders. Here are some great ways to adventure over the holiday.

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  22. Northern CA

    Beaches & Hikes for the Weekend

    After all that turkey, pie, and political discussion, it’s time to take a break outside. We have just the ticket—from a dog-friendly beach in Marin to a hidden bench overlooking the San Mateo Coast, be thankful for the great outdoors.

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Trending Stories NorCal

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  1. Purely Purisima

    Take a relaxing hike on the lower section of Purisiima Creek Trail in Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve.

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  2. Been There, Dome That

    Surrounded by granite domes, craggy peaks, and miles of hiking trails, the High Sierra landscape of Tuolumne Meadows in Yosemite National Park is famous for good reason. For a truly grand view, take a short hike to bold—and bald (except for snow at times)—Lembert Dome.

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  3. Wapama Wows

    Hetch Hetchy can be overlooked in Yosemite National Park because of its more remote location and limited facilities. But this is where you’ll also find one of the best day hikes in the park: Wapama Falls.

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  4. Sponsored

    Take the Exit to the Best of the San Francisco Peninsula

    The San Francisco Peninsula is proof that some of Northern California’s greatest surprises are hiding just off Highway 101. All you have to do is take the exit.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

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  1. Ballona Beach Hopper

    This easygoing bike escape is proof that you don't have to drive for hours to feel the vast benefits of nature. The Ballona Creek Bike Path is part of the “Park to Playa Regional Trail,” a 13-mile network connecting parks and open spaces from Baldwin Hills to the Pacific Ocean.

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  2. Lookout Ahead!

    A 3.7-mile loop hike to Boucher Hill Fire Lookout in Palomar Mountain State Park reminds us just how stunningly beautiful are the mountains of this remote, lightly visited portion of northern San Diego County.

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  3. A Thousand Steps to Paradise

    A picture is worth a thousand words, but is a gorgeous beach in Laguna worth a thousand steps? The answer is yes, though the question is moot, because it’s only 223 steep steps down to the 400-yard stretch of sand known as 1000 Steps Beach.

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  4. Strawberry Peak Lookout Hike

    Strawberry Sunday

    The 2.5-mile (round-trip) lollipop loop climb to the Strawberry Peak Fire Lookout near the town of Lake Arrowhead dishes up some delicious views.

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