True Ocean Adventures

Who needs air-conditioning when we have an ocean to play in? Our height-of-summer stay-cool plan is to go full flippers-and-face-mask in Abalone Cove; kayak past sea lions into La Jolla’s sea caves; and blaze a SUP trail in beautiful Newport Bay.

Week: 08.22.2019
Regions: Southern CA

Octopodes, if You Please

Snorkeling Abalone Cove in Rancho Palos Verdes

Great snorkeling doesn’t require a plane ticket to the tropics. Not when Abalone Cove State Marine Conservation Area in Rancho Palos Verdes is just a quick drive away. It has everything you want for a local undersea foray: kelp forests, rocky reefs, reasonably calm water, and eas
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Your Private Cabin Is Calling

Yosemite's New Explorer Cabins at Tenaya Lodge

A private cabin in Yosemite tucked among sugar pines? Yes please! The brand-new Explorer Cabins at Tenaya Lodge make your next Yosemite getaway even more relaxing. Each standalone cabin has a small kitchen, deck with lounge chairs, two bedrooms, and all modern furnishings, includ
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Kayak the Clam Cave

Kayaking the Sea Caves of La Jolla

Kayak La Jolla Sea Caves
Kayaking the seven sea caves in La Jolla Shores is a blast, if you can make it past the “guards”—that is, a bunch of playful sea lions! The helpful guides at Hike Bike Kayak Adventure Tours will handle all the details so all you have to worry about is having fun. They stow your g
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Seven Bridges Paddleboard Tour

Standup Paddling Under 7 Bridges in Newport

SoCal has plenty of surprises in its abundance of mountain trails, but there are some other pathways to explore, like those on the Pacific Ocean! For a bounty of aquatic adventure, get out on the self-guided SUP “Seven Bridges Paddleboard Tour” so-named by Weekend Sherpa’s summer
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Trending Stories NorCal

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  1. All right, Almaden!

    Take a trip through time on this 5-mile loop in Almaden Quicksilver County Park. Explore the ruins of an old cinnabar mine and enjoy the first hints of wildflower season.

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  2. Waterfalls and Wine Pours

    Cooler temps, green hills, and the return of our magnificent waterfalls! This family-friendly 2-mile hike at Uvas Canyon County Park in Morgan Hill is a great way to get the most out of a short hike post-rain.

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  3. Woman hiker is climbing up the ladder in the Steep Ravine section of the Dipsea Loop Trail on Mount Tam

    Misty on Mount Tam

    Mount Tam’s 3.9-mile round-trip Steep Ravine and Dipsea Trail Loop weathers the wets and wilds with some confidence, sheltered in parts by redwoods, and wowing with a waterfall.

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  4. Mile-Long Cataract Club

    In winter after heavy rains, the north flank of Mount Tam glows with flows. The nearly mile-long series of waterfalls—Cataract Falls—transforms into a supercharged spectacle. Starting at Alpine Dam, a 1.6 mile (one-way) narrow trails threads through redwoods and ferns along Cataract Creek.

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Trending Stories SoCal

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  1. Peace Labyrinth

    Hidden in LA’s historic West Adams district, the Peace Awareness Labyrinth & Gardens is a welcome respite from the norms of urban noise.

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  2. 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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  3. Hikers sitting on a large rock slab next to Three Sisters Falls in Cleveland National Forest Southern California near Julian

    Three Sisters

    Good things come in threes at this hike to a lovely trio-tiered waterfall in Cleveland National Forest. The 4.25-mile out-and-back hike rambles among rolling hills, with rocky mountain views as switchbacks take you down to a lush canyon and the falls.

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  4. People gathered around a tree at an LA Park as part of the Tree Tour led by Stephanie Carrie

    LA's Tree Tour

    Los Angeles is famous for its iconic palm trees but did you know that LA is home to one of the most diverse urban forests in the world? With over 1,000 different tree species lining its streets, LA offers a unique urban canopy waiting to be explored. One of the best ways to discover it is by joining a Tree Tour

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