Hikes Outside the Box

Roosevelt elk, canyons draped in ferns and dripping with small waterfalls, oh … and the tallest trees on the entire planet! Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park has all the fixings for world-class hiking.

The turquoise waters and pristine beauty of Secret Cove on the east shore of Lake Tahoe are like an ode to Tahoe’s iconic spirit. And while this lovely spot near Incline Village isn’t such a secret anymore, it’s quite a bit less crowded than its neighboring (and equally turquoise

Wanna keep summer going? That’s easy! Download the Peninsula Open Space Trust’s (POST) 11 Easy Summer Escapes. This complimentary guide is packed with excellent itineraries for local outdoor excursions, including maps and links. Find the perfect picnic spot under ancient oaks at

Carmel might be one of the best-known enclaves in the Monterey area, but its nearby Carmel River State Beach is much more of a local’s secret—especially the southern end of it. On this short and easy 1.5-mile (round-trip) walk, you’ll be right beside the crashing Pacific until th

You're going to need your hiking game-face for this adventure. Trekking in the Sierra high country at any time of year requires common sense and a check of the weather; doing it during shoulder season requires even more vigilance. But if the autumn weather's good in the next few

Montaña de Oro: The name means mountain of gold, but the real treasures here lie underwater. Luckily you don’t have to venture into the ocean to see all the cool creatures. Plenty of them are hanging out in readily accessible tide pools. Start your visit at the Spooner Ranch Hous