All "Hikes" Stories in Southern CA

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  Center of Attention

  Central Oregon is home to the craft beer capital of the US, the Deschutes River, and trails for every kind of outdoor adventure: hiking, skiing, paddling, biking, and—of course—relaxing at fire pits.

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  Dos Picos

  The 1.4-mile loop around Dos Picos County Park is a small yet mighty gem in northern San Diego County. It's gentle and packs a bunch of scenery.

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  Unexpected Hiking Vacation

  Ready for a local hiking vacation—one that’s unexpected, hassle-free, and comes with bonuses like spas and delicious nearby dining?

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  Pasadena Haunts and Hauntings

  Ghostly buildings, eerie alleys, scary stories … Pasadena’s picturesque old town is rife with haunted history. Take a 3.75-mile stroll that’s full of secret treats.

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  Just in Time for Tahoe!

  Shorter days, cooler nights, and plenty of room to roam: Fall is amazing in North Lake Tahoe! You’re just in time to enjoy North Lake Tahoe’s autumn splendor among trails less crowded.

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  Secrets of San Ramon

  Sometimes the best secrets are right under your nose, or at least where you might not be looking! San Ramon is close enough to travel without hassle yet takes you far from the daily grind.

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  Pointing It Out

  Wanna hike where the locals do? Visit the new Palo Corona Regional Park in Carmel for a 4.5-mile (round-trip) journey through a beautiful oak forest and up to Inspiration Point for beautiful coastal vistas.

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  Beauty and the Beach

  Sweeping, romantic, and vast, Garrapata State Park has all the stuff of swoon-worthy scenery. There’s a magical beach backed by hulking cliffs with a hiking trail we like best in the later afternoon, when the beach can be blissfully deserted.

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  Audio Adventure Walks

  Starting from the magnificent Monterey Bay Aquarium, do a deep dive into the interesting history of Monterey Bay on an audio tour along the Monterey Coastal Recreation Trail. The Monterey History Walking Tour is a nice way to get an overview of the beautiful bay and its diverse history.

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  Getting Salty

  Long walks on the beach are great, but what about long walks to the beach? This 7.7-mile (round-trip) to the beautiful Salt Creek Beach in Dana Point is one of the best in Orange County.

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  Enter to Win this Central Oregon Vacation

  Enter to Win the Central Oregon Fall Sweepstakes: Winner gets a $500 gift card toward a stay at the luxury Sunriver Resort plus $500 in gift cards for local dining spots.

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  Gameface: Ladyface!

  Sometimes a truly cool basecamp is all you need to spur you to new heights. Enter Tavern Tomoko and Ladyface Brewery  in Agoura Hills, set at the foot of Ladyface Peak’s rugged 2,030-foot summit. Before the beer, get an early start to beat the heat and bag the peak via a challenging 2.25-mile (round-trip) hike.

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  Whiskey You Were Here!

  Whiskeytown National Recreation Area is surrounded by miles of trails for hiking and mountain biking, beaches for lounging, and waterfalls. It’s also home to some of the best mellow paddling in the state.

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  Get Hetched!

  Enjoy top-notch valley views on this 13-mile moderately strenuous backpacking trip highlighting some of Yosemite's best scenery. A bonus: This part of the park attracts fewer visitors than the much more famous valley

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  Picture Worth a Thousand Words

  Catch a mirrored sunrise at Thousand Island Lake back in the Ansel Adams Wilderness. You can reach this jewel—set at 9,500 feet in the High Sierra and backed by the brilliant Banner Peak—via a 10-mile trek along part of the Pacific Crest Trail.

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  Heavenly Elysian

  Founded in 1886, Elysian Park is LA’s oldest park, and one of its biggest. Spanning 600 acres, this urban playground has multiple attractive features that will keep you coming back for more.

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  The Trail Less Traveled

  Sometimes it’s the trails less traveled that bring memories most cherished. Sun Valley, Idaho, offers a change of pace and scenery that inspires a sense of wonder and a feeling of rejuvenation.

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  Little Mountain, Flat Top

  The rolling hills of East Los Angeles possess many hidden gems, one of which is Montecito Heights Open Space. It’s a bit off the beaten path, and your goal is to reach the “Flat Top.”

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  Storied Trail

  If ever there was a fairy trail, this 6.8-mile lollipop loop on Sun Valley’s Proctor Mountain is it. The Proctor Mountain Trail is a storied route in more ways than one, starting with its tranquil oasis memorial for a famous writer, Ernest Hemingway.

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  Bald Statement

  If you’re going to have a rite of passage hiking in Sun Valley, the hike to the summit of Bald Mountain is one to check off your list. This 5-mile (one-way) trek requires some stamina, yet richly rewards with a variety of views and vantages, abundant wildflowers, and the chance to combine a free chairlift and gondola ride back down.

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