View All

  1. Southern CA

    Take a Walk on the Wild(flower) Side!

    The real rainbow at the end of a really rainy winter? Wildflowers! They can paint a kaleidoscope of colors across SoCal landscapes. Some are in full form right now, so when the sun’s out, head out to any of these places that can go wild with flowers.

    VIEW
  2. Northern CA

    Five Natural Bridges to See this Spring

    Natural bridges are wondrous on their own, but when the coast is clear and the supporting scenery includes things such as sea stars, wildflowers, and dramatic nearby formations, well, spring it on! From Mendocino and the Sonoma Coast, to Santa Cruz, the desert, and a stellar point beyond, here are five of nature's best bridge and rock formations.

    VIEW
  3. Southern CA

    Spring Release Hikes

    Ahhh, spring. With all of winter’s rain, the trails are super-charged. So get out and enjoy these hikes with electric green hills, blooming flowers, plus mountain and sea views.

    VIEW
  4. Sponsored
    2025-02-19

    Live the SLO Life

    This year, live the SLO life. San Luis Obispo charms with its friendly vibe, Mediterranean climate, and fun adventures both in town and along the Central Coast.

    View
  5. Southern CA

    Cave In to These Spring Adventures

    Before the deserts get too hot, before the wildflowers dwindle, and before the summer crowds take over, take your explorations deeper with these thrilling cave adventures.

    VIEW
  6. Woman hiking up stairs at Alcatraz Island
    Northern CA

    Rock These Spring Hikes

    There spring hikes simply rock! There’s a surprising rock garden on the sea, a hike to a rock perfect for spilling the tea, and a pinnacle adventure for seeing rock spires amid seasonal blossoms.

    VIEW
  7. Northern CA

    Spring Refresh

    On the bright side of lingering rains, spring colors should be more vibrant than an Easter basket when the skies clear. Here are a few ideas worth hopping to when things spring up!

    VIEW
  8. Southern CA

    Coming Soon: Spring?

    Well, let's just call any further rains a spring refresher; which can bring a real pop to the colors of nature, soon-ish. Spring it on!

    VIEW
  9. Northern CA

    Spring for These Summits!

    It's officially spring! When clearer skies set in (ahem), step up to the season with these outstanding summit hikes for fresh perspectives.

    VIEW
  10. Southern CA

    Bon-Anza-Borrego!

    At over 640,000 acres and 500 miles of roads, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is easily the biggest in California. And it positively blooms in spring! Get there soon and take in the wild—and wildflower—scenery! These three short hikes to overlooks each offer a different perspective of this vast desert.

    VIEW
  11. Southern CA

    Three Intriguing Canyon Hikes in CA

    There’s just something so intriguing about landscapes formed by all kinds of geologic activity and forces of nature. Before it gets too hot, here are three places to adventure within a lava tube, a surprise canyon, and a canyon hike with a stunning natural bridge … all in California!

    VIEW
  12. Northern CA

    Swing Into These Spring Hikes

    Spring, is that you? We’ll take whatever we can get right now, and post-rain these amazing Bay Area ridge hikes are prime with fresh views, early blooms, and a hidden swing in Half Moon Bay…

    VIEW
  13. Northern CA

    Hit the Refresh Outdoors

    It's been a wet and wild few months, but don't let that dampen your outdoors spirit. Here's a refresh of outdoor fun for post-rain greenery, scenery, starry skies, waterfalls, and wondrous wanders in the Bay Area.

    VIEW
  14. Southern CA

    Post Rain Greenery & Scenery

    Some of LA County’s most impressive landscapes beam bright green after rains. Here are three hikes bound to shine for big views with Shamrock colored scenery.

    VIEW
  15. Sponsored
    2025-02-19

    Live the SLO Life

    This year, live the SLO life. San Luis Obispo charms with its friendly vibe, Mediterranean climate, and fun adventures both in town and along the Central Coast.

    View
  16. Southern CA & Northern CA

    Just Dune It

    With Dune 2 coming out in theaters, now is a good time to explore some surreal sandscapes. We’ve rounded up some national preserves, parks, and refuges—including the epic landscape that inspired the novel. Dune it right!

    VIEW
  17. A woman stands at Dante's View in Death Valley, looking out to Telescope Peak and Manly Lake, Badwater Basin below.
    Death Valley

    Sunrise, Sunset, Starry Desert Hikes

    March in Death Valley is (dare we say) full of life! There’s a dark sky festival to kick off the month, and the temporary Manly Lake at Badwater Basin—the lowest point in North America—is still going strong (for now). Here’s your guide to a sunrise, sunset, and starry night hiking trifecta for winter and early spring in Death Valley National Park.

    VIEW
  18. Southern CA

    Walks for Black History Month

    With a break in the stormy weather, now is a good time to venture out and pay homage to Black History Month at these monuments, landmarks, and murals in LA county. 

    VIEW
  19. Northern CA

    Big Greenery and Scenery

    Some of the Bay Area's most impressive landscapes are bound to beam an iridescent green after giant rains (and a little patience waiting for the skies to clear). From brand-new trails to golden (er, green) oldies, here's where to see bright and beautiful scenery ... wait for it ... it's worth it! 

    VIEW
  20. Northern CA

    Tidepooling & Good Migrations

    The stars of the sea and wetlands show up big during winter, just like the 49ers! From tidepooling and whale watching, to seeing birds of many feathers, these places from Santa Cruz to Marin are simply super. Go Niners!

    VIEW
  21. Southern CA

    Dragon Days Ahead

    Lunar new year is February 10, and hopefully the wet weather won't dampen spirits for upcoming celebrations both this weekend and next. Check out these garden and urban park walks with on-site or nearby events for the Year of the Dragon!

    VIEW
  22. Northern CA

    Where to Waterfall

    Looking on the bright side, when water falls: waterfalls! It'll take some patience waiting for all the storms to pass, but when we hit a dry spell, here are three waterfalls that should be in gushingly good form.

    VIEW

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Napa's Art of the Matter

    Downtown Napa uncorks more than just excellent wine. Art has firmly established itself along the walkways and parkways in the area, punctuated by an annual ArtWalk (year-round) and a temporary Lighted Art Festival.

    View
  2. Tamtastic Sunset

    Sure, the East Peak of Mount Tam is absolutely spectacular at sunset, but some magic-hour enthusiasts are onto a fresh perspective in getting a little more personal space for their panoramic viewings.

    View
  3. Golden Mile

    Dubbed the Golden Mile, this car-free stretch of road in Golden Gate Park features rotating art installations of murals, sculptures, and abundant bright yellow Adirondack chairs for kicking back to relax.

    View
  4. Hike Artdoors

    Add a little color to your new year. This 3-mile loop through the Montalvo Arts Center mixes the beauty of the natural world with local artists’ creations.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Animal Encounters

    Located where Redding’s famous Sundial Bridge overlooks the Sacramento River, Turtle Bay Exploration Park is 300 acres of gardens, a museum and playground, aquarium, and unforgettable up-close animal encounters!

    View
  2. Sundialed

    Redding is home to one of the world’s most famous pedestrian-only bridges—the Sundial Bridge was created by the Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava (its sister bridges are in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Seville, Spain). The glass-deck bridge across the Sacramento River is a true sundial....

    View
  3. View from Keys View Joshua Tree

    Trio of Trails

    Get into Joshua Tree National Park Park early and hit the classic circuit of short trails before the crowds arrive. We also have some food and overnight recos.

    View
  4. White Tank Campground for Stargazing

    Heaven for star buffs: the best campground in Joshua Tree National Park for night-sky viewing, in a place named an International Dark Sky Park, with a full-on observatory just minutes away! White Tank Campground is at 3,800 feet in the eastern part of the park.

    View