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  1. Southern CA

    LA Outdoor Confidential

    Long weekend: check. Lucky enough to live in the Golden State: check. Wondering what to do this long weekend in the Golden State? Check out these hikes, bike rides, waterfall adventures, and a place to catch the sunset. Long live the long weekend!

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  2. Northern CA

    Outdoor Confidential

    Got plans for the unofficial start of summer? Make it official! We've got you covered. From hikes and a bike ride, to stairway walks, picnic spots, and sunset views. Long live the long weekend!

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  3. Southern CA & Northern CA

    Let the Adventures Begin!

    The Weekend Sherpa Adventure Challenge is back for its sixth year! Don’t let the name intimidate you: it’s free and easy to participate. Just get outdoors over the next few months and take a photo of yourself in action! And we’re excited to be teaming up with Line 39—their wines are the perfect partner to weekend adventures.

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  4. Sponsored
    2024-12-18

    Sublime San Juan Islands

    Well, well, this wellness action plan takes you to the San Juan Islands! Easily reached by ferry yet worlds away in tranquility and unique adventures, this Washington State jewel of the Salish Sea nurtures through nature.

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  5. Northern CA

    Secluded Sunday

    Sunday funday … how about just Sunday seclusion? Here are three less-known spots across the Bay Area for enjoying a hidden beach, canoeing to a middle-of-the-lake island for a picnic, or climbing to views on a trail less traveled.

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  6. Southern CA

    Better Than Brunch

    In a pinch for a Mother’s Day plan? Three of our Los Angeles based writers took their moms on Weekend Sherpa explorations—a cruiser bike ride with wine tasting...a coast-hugging hike...a whole garden instead of a bouquet. Each adventure has been Mom-tested and approved. Cheers to you, Mom!

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  7. Southern CA

    Mojave Mojo!

    Ready to get your mojo working? Hoodoos, tortoises, and a hermit’s tunnel to nowhere—they’re all part of the wondrously weird, easy-to-explore high desert just beyond the town of Mojave.

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  8. Northern CA

    As You Lake It!

    This year’s rains brought many of our reservoirs back to 100 percent full! See some of the sparkling and refreshing beauty on three great North Bay hikes. They’re all dog-friendly, too. Time for a lake break!

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  9. Northern CA

    Going Wild for Flowers!

    What’s wild and has wildflowers? Three East Bay hikes: one on Mount Diablo, one in Coyote Hills, and one across Pleasanton Ridge. It’s the call of the wild ... and the wildflowers!

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  10. Southern CA

    San Diego Rechargers

    Jump in a brisk waterfall pool, hike the coast among rare Torrey pines, or savor a sunset from the city’s best viewpoint—you’ll dig these Diego adventures!

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  11. Southern CA

    Date with the Outdoors!

    Go out this summer and do any activity we've ever written about in Weekend Sherpa (seriously, there's 10 years' worth of outdoor activities!) and earn yourself some excellent gifts, including a Weekend Sherpa t-shirt and travel wine glasses from our "partner in wine," Line 39. Here are few ideas to get you going!

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  12. Northern CA

    Will You Go Out With Us?

    Go out this summer and do any activity we've ever written about in Weekend Sherpa (seriously, there's 10 years' worth of outdoor activities!) and earn yourself some excellent gifts, including a Weekend Sherpa t-shirt and travel wine glasses from our "partner in wine," Line 39. Here are few ideas to get you going!

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  13. Southern CA & Northern CA

    Free and Wild in Joshua Tree

    Joshua Tree National Park in spring is full of color, and visitors! But these three hikes in the heart of the park take you away from the crowds and into the park’s solitude, where signature trees grandstand, boulders are bountiful, and wildflowers paint the landscape like a rainbow. Bonus: Free admission this weekend for National Park Week!

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  14. Northern CA

    Waterfall Rager!

    The more it rained, the harder they fell … and they're still falling … waterfalling. Hit the trails this spring on any of these Bay Area flows that are all the rage right now!

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  15. Sponsored
    2024-12-18

    Sublime San Juan Islands

    Well, well, this wellness action plan takes you to the San Juan Islands! Easily reached by ferry yet worlds away in tranquility and unique adventures, this Washington State jewel of the Salish Sea nurtures through nature.

    View
  16. Southern CA

    Waterfalls, Wildflowers, Wow!

    Wanna make a colorful splash this Easter weekend? Here are some hikes with waterfalls, wildflowers, or a brilliant combo of both. Hop to it!

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  17. Northern CA

    The Great Urban Outdoors!

    Who said getting into the great outdoors meant getting out of the city? Get your nature fix in city limits by hiking a secret stairway in Oakland or exploring a couple of handsome parks in San Francisco.

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  18. Southern CA

    Springtime Stairway Walks

    Who's game to take the stairs? Put a spring in your step this season by hiking any of these SoCal staircases leading to hidden wonders!

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  19. Northern CA

    Hidden Forests

    Can't see the forest for the trees? Sure you can! Take some time this weekend to walk through one of these hidden forests. It's like a cleanse for your mind!

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  20. Southern CA

    Call of the Wildflowers!

    It's our best wildflower season in years! Here are three SoCal hikes for seeing a dazzling array of color and blossoms.

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  21. Southern CA

    Last Chance Waterfalls

    Ah, what a little rain will do for Southern California. Early spring is our time to savor storm-fed streams tumbling into seasonal waterfalls that are often dormant due to droughts. Drink up on these three see-them-while-you-can hikes!

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  22. Northern CA

    South Bay Spring Trailing!

    Some hikes just know how to spring forward, especially after plentiful rains. From a hike to a hidden redwood grove to epic green hills and stunning panoramas, here are three South Bay ramblers to jump-start your spring trailing. Tip: Look for blooming wildflowers too!

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Trending Stories NorCal

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  1. Sponsored

    The 2025 Hiking Calendar Is Here!

    Ready to make hiking part of your New Year’s wellness plan? Get the all-new 2025 Hiking Calendar courtesy of Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST).

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  2. Two hikers at Bear Creek Redwoods Regional Preserve on a new trail.

    New Trails at Bear Creek

    Looking for new trails? Bear Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve has added 170 acres of forest, grassland, and historical sites. Hike this 3.5-mile loop through the new addition.

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  3. Woman swimming in Carson Hotsprings natural thermal pool

    Hot Springs, Naturally

    Thermal spring waters are famous for their curative, relaxing elements, and Reno Tahoe is filled with them! Sink into these amazing thermal respites for a wellness super soak.

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  4. Drake Awakening

    Part salt water, part fresh water, Drake’s Estero is smack in the middle of Point Reyes, and one of only two marine wilderness areas in the entire nation. Yeah, it’s worth a look. Get the extended version by hiking right alongside it.

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Trending Stories SoCal

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  1. Weekend Sherpa Podcast
    Sponsored

    Weekend Sherpa Podcast: Take it Outside

    Adventure for your earbuds. What's new in the world of the outdoors? Listen to Weekend Sherpa co-founders discuss local hikes, beaches, bike rides, camping spots and all kinds of travel and adventure in California and beyond!

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  2. Boardwalking Bliss

    The Stanfield Preserve Boardwalk Trail traverses 1.6 miles of beautiful Big Bear Lake, giving you a chance to get up close to the lake without needing a boat. You’ll also enjoy some peaceful wildlife watching.

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  3. Get Into The Grove

    The 1.8-mile Oak Grove Park Loop trail in La Cañada is short, easy, and close to the city; meaning it’s a perfect destination for a quick holiday hike.

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  4. Woman hiking down the stairs to Coast Royale Beach in Orange County

    Secluded Royale

    Panoramic coastal views and a killer leg workout combine on this 2.7-mile (round-trip) out-and-back hike to secluded Coast Royale Beach in Orange County

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