All "Hikes" Stories in Southern CA
The Grand Ride
The Sacramento River Trail in Redding lives up to its premier status as one of the best rail trails in the country for bikes and pedestrians only. Start at the architecturally stunning Sundial Bridge and follow the sublime Sacramento River upstream all the way to Shasta Dam.
ViewChamise, Please
Redding’s Chamise Peak is reached via a 5-mile hike that rewards with a 360-degree vista including the Sacramento River canyon, Shasta Dam, Shasta Lake, and Mount Shasta.
ViewColor-fall Roll or Stroll
With over 250 miles to choose from, Redding is known as Trail City, USA for good reason. Basically, this place is a mountain biking haven with one of the West’s best trail systems. Novice mountain-bike riders will love the easygoing and scenic 3.5-mile Churn Creek Greenway.
ViewFall for These Falls
Chase waterfalls in Redding’s Whiskeytown National Recreation Area. This 42,000 acres of wilderness park is home to four waterfalls. Hike to the tallest, the three-tiered, 220-foot Whiskeytown Falls.
ViewHidden Hike, Huge View
90-acre Luelf Pond County Preserve is a hidden treasure in San Diego County. It's home to a 1.5-mile (out-and-back) trail with a huge vista reward.
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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.
View 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?
View 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.
View 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.
ViewBeauty 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.
ViewAudio 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.
ViewGetting 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.
View 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.
View 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
ViewPicture 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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Live the SLO Life
This year, live the SLO life. San Luis Obispo charms with its friendly vibe, Mediterranean climate, and fun adventures both in town and along the Central Coast.
Plan Your Trip to SLO
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