Okay, Cool (Hikes, Beaches, Camps)

When the heat's on in SoCal, nature's air conditioning can help if you know where to go. From camping at the beach, to seaside strolls, and high elevation hiking and bouldering, here are a few ways to help keep your cool and have a lot of fun too!

Week: 06.26.2024
Regions: Southern CA

Skip School for the Beach

Stroll UCSD Campus and Go to a Nearby Beach in La Jolla

Woman hiking to Black's Beach in La Jolla San Diego
Woman hiking down to Black's Beach in La Jolla San Diego
Fallen Star model house teetering on edge of the engineering building at University of California, San Diego
Woman standing at the sculpture of granite as the Paradise Lost Book at University of California, San Diego
Head to UCSD (University of California, San Diego) for a campus stroll followed by a hike down sandstone cliffs to Black’s Beach in La Jolla.
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Tramarama!

Ride Palm Springs Aerial Tramway to Access Amazing Hiking

Why do hikers, boulderers, and outdoor enthusiasts love the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway? Because it quickly elevates them to the best terrain for adventures!
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

El Capitán, My Capitán

Camping at El Capitán State Beach

Sunset at El Capitan State Beach in Santa Barbara
Camper at campsite at El Capitan State Beach in Santa Barbara
Person enjoying El Capitan State Beach near Santa Barbara
The best part about camping at El Capitán State Beach? It just might be sunset. The campground, perched on a forested bluff above the beach, gives you the best seats in the house for watching the sun settle down into the Santa Barbara Channel.
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Park it Here

Scenic Hike from Point Fermin Park to Angels Gate Park in Los Angeles

Hike from Point Fermin Park to Angels Gate Park
Do a 2.5-mile scenic hike from Point Fermin Park to Angels Gate Park in Los Angeles. It’s got big trees, big ocean views, and a food and beer bonus!
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Trending Stories NorCal

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  1. Hike Mori Point Pacifica

    Ah, Good Point

    Ready for a rewarding view? Head to one of the Peninsula’s favorite promontories: Mori Point. Climb your way up the Bootlegger’s Steps to the Mori Point headland for awesome vantages of the San Mateo Coast.

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  2. This Is Paradise

    Granite mountain-scape, superb sunset views, crystal lakes, and shoreline campsites … the trip to Paradise Lake in Tahoe National Forest lives up to its idyllic name.

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  3. Pomo Pitch

    Secluded camping under the redwoods and by a creek … now that’s a good pitch! Get to it at Pomo Canyon Environmental Campground, an absolute gem within Sonoma Coast State Park. This walk-in-only campground has hillside options and spots closer to the creek.

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  4. Camp and Kayak at Utica Reservoir in Stanislaus National Forest

    Sleeper Hit

    It's all about the water, and the camping, at Utica Reservoir in Stanislaus National Forest, a High Sierra reservoir perfect for kayak explorations and pitching your tent with the lake in the background.

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Trending Stories SoCal

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  1. Ciao, Bella!

    Experience the beauty of Italy without getting on an airplane, by taking a scenic stair walk through Castellammare. Originally developed in the 1920s to resemble Italy’s Amalfi Coast, this neighborhood has sweeping views of the Pacific, and plenty more to see.

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  2. Bakery to Bakery Urban Art Walk

    With nearly 600 restaurants, Pasadena rivals New York City in terms of establishments per capita. Translation: There’s a lot of food to choose from! French eateries are no exception. In the spirit of the Olympics, take a victory lap on a 3,500-meter (2.2-mile) bakery-to-bakery walk with some beautiful artdoors to see along the way.

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  3. This Urban Spot Is Tops

    Once an old military command post, today the Presidio in San Francisco is the largest urban national park in the United States. It’s also home to the relatively new Presidio Tunnel Tops a park built on top of Presidio Parkway tunnels. Not only does this offer a corridor for animals and plants to thrive in, it’s also a great community space for humans.

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  4. Malibu Creek State Park

    Yes, Angelenos, you can escape city lights and view the Perseid meteor shower at Malibu Creek State Park Campground—so close to the big city, but it feels like it’s a galaxy away.

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