Oh Snow You Didn't!

Mother Nature has not been stingy with snow this new year! Indeed the ski slopes are calling, but there are plenty of other fun ways to enjoy winter destinations like Baldy, Mammoth, and Big Bear. From snowshoeing to tubing to cross-country gliding, here's some ways to get outdoors and explore. Oh the places you'll snow!

Week: 01.10.2019
Regions: Southern CA

King of the Castle Rock

Snowshoe Castle Rock in Big Bear

If you have only a short time to enjoy a snowy Big Bear hike, conquer the steep slopes of the Castle Rock Trail. After parking in the small pull-out lot, cross the highway (carefully!) and find the trailhead to this easygoing 2.5-mile out-and-back trek. The path begins along a pe
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Notch One for Baldy

Snowshoe hiking on Mount Baldy in Los Angeles County

In a great winter, Mount Baldy’s lower slopes become one of SoCal’s most accessible snow playgrounds—skiing and boarding up top, sledding and building snowpersons at the bottom. In between is a virtual highway for snowshoers—snowed-over Falls Road and Baldy Road, from Manker Flat
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Valley of Adventures

6 Winter Experiences in Sonoma Valley

1) Waterfalls & Early Wildflowers Hikes abound in the valley, and Sugarloaf Ridge State Park has a hidden waterfall that’s especially good after winter rains. Reach it on a short hike through a forest and keep an eye out for some early blooms, like the popcorn wildflower. 2) Sono
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Peaceful Pistes

Nordic Skiing at Mammoth's Tamarack Cross Country Ski Center

Downhill not your cup of cocoa? Go Nordic! Mammoth’s stunning Lakes Basin has 19-plus miles of groomed cross-country ski and snowshoe trails where you won’t find crowds or expensive lift tickets. What you will find is a serene wonderland of frozen lakes and pine forests, where su
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Grand View Summit

Hike or Snowshoe Pine Knot in Big Bear

The moderately strenuous 6-mile Pine Knot hike in Big Bear is wildly popular in summer. But in winter, this trail is a kingdom of blissful isolation, and just as beautiful! Rent some snowshoes and poles and traverse the snow to explore.
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Totally Tubular!

Snow Play at Woolly's Tube Park in Mammoth

Lift, slide, scream, repeat! For pure winter fun, you can’t beat tubing at Woolly's Tube Park near Mammoth Mountain. It’s all about the simplistic delight of hurtling down a 600-foot-long chute of packed snow on an inner tube.
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Trending Stories NorCal

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  1. Waterfall Hunter

    If you ask a local in Reno about one of the best hiking trails in town, odds are high they’ll point you to Hunter Creek Falls. It’s a year-round favorite, but it absolutely shines in spring, when desert peach wildflowers make a splash—and so does the marquee waterfall.

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  2. Cheers to Chimney

    If you’re looking for all that Point Reyes has to offer in spring, Chimney Rock is the place to be. The 1.75-mile (round-trip) hike to Chimney may be short, but it packs a visual punch, quadrupling the viewing thrills during spring.

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  3. Sponsored

    Take the Exit to the Best of the San Francisco Peninsula

    The San Francisco Peninsula is proof that some of Northern California’s greatest surprises are hiding just off Highway 101. All you have to do is take the exit.

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  4. Hello, Sur!

    Big Sur is home to numerous fantastic beaches and coves, so which one do you choose? Go for the beach that's quintessential Big Sur (and dog-friendly!). Pfeiffer Beach in Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. Its signature lilac-colored sand is waiting for your feet!

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Trending Stories SoCal

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  1. Garland in Bloom

    Carmel Valley is known for its quaint wineries and scenic hiking trails. Enjoy both on this 3.75-mile loop through Garland Ranch Regional Park.

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  2. A woman stands amid an array of yellow and purple flowers at Descanso Gardens in Los Angeles

    Petal Paradise

    Tulips, lilacs, and daffodils—flower power is in full bloom at Descanso Gardens in La Cañada Flintridge. Sprawling across 150 acres surrounded by mountains, the gardens are putting on their best show right now.

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  3. Bike the Coastal Trail to Pillar Point Harbor in Half Moon Bay

    Ride and Seek

    Oceanside breezes, beautiful beaches, a car-free pathway for biking, and beer at the end: You’re on a roll! The San Mateo Coast was made for beach hopping and beer tasting … and it all goes down smooth as part of an 8-mile out-and-back bike ride.

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  4. 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.

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