All in Southern CA

  1. Hiking to Old Ruins in Southern California Mountains

    Lovin' the Ruins

    California has always been a land of dreamers, and some of them have left traces of those dreams behind for us to explore. Discover ruins in remote mountain canyons and high on desert cliffs.

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  2. Full Moon Hike in Southern California

    Full Moon Hikes for Lunatics

    Bright lunar light makes some folks a little wiggy—hence the word “lunatic.” Our feeling: You’d have to be crazy NOT to get out and hike under a big full moon from time to time!

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  3. Encinitas Brewery Hike

    Brewery Hikes

    In North San Diego County, all trails lead to beers! At least, if you take any of these three routes where four breweries are on standby, ready to quench your post-hike thirst.

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  4. Sponsored
    2024-11-13

    Yes, Seattle!

    Ready to try something new this winter? Seattle’s ready for you! Beautiful by nature with its Puget Sound setting, surrounding mountains, and nearby national parks, winter in Seattle can be a magical and festive time. Ever been in a hot tub boat?...

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  5. Hike Pinnacles National Park California

    Reach for the Pinnacles

    Rugged rock spires, deep caves, volcanic formations… Pinnacles National Park packs an adventurous punch, and—bonus—you might even get to see the famous, endangered California condor.

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  6. Three Cool Canyons

    Not all canyons can be grand, but we think these three are pretty cool. Give you summer a proper sendoff and plunge into these!

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  7. Urban Art Walks

    Get your art fix without stepping into a museum (not that there's anything wrong with that). These three urban walks have everything from colorful murals and creative installations to LA’s first World Heritage Site landmark, plus food and drink bonuses. Walk this way …

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  8. Ride a Little, Drink a Latte

    All great bike paths lead to coffee—well, at least these three do. Steer your two-wheeler to Riverside, Newport Beach, or Long Beach, and get the wind in your hair while happily caffeinated!

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  9. Labor Day Outside

    The last thing we want for you to do is labor over plans to get outdoors this long weekend. So we've put together a short list of things to try, from a coastal hike to a sunset spot and a campground for stargazing, even an easygoing bike ride. And away you go ...

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  10. 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.

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  11. Yosemite Anew

    It’s easy to think you’ve seen Yosemite’s best stuff. But this national park just keeps giving us different ways to experience its wonders. From new cabins to an upgraded hike among giant sequoias, or taking a trail less-known, here’s a guide to keep exploring Yosemite’s adventurous side.

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  12. Summer Sensations

    Whoa, summer—slow down already! Get outside to savor the best of the season with some peak hikes, cave explorations, canoe paddles, and ... don't forget some beer tasting!

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  13. Orange Is the New Adventure

    There’s a lot more than sand and surf in Orange County. Discover the diverse landscape of LA’s close neighbor with these scenic hikes and a do-it-yourself SUP Seven Bridges Tour challenge in Newport.

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  14. Canyon Hikes, Beach Dips

    Who cares how sweaty you get hiking up that beautiful coastal canyon? When you get back, the beach is just across the road. Dive in!

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  15. Sponsored
    2024-11-13

    Yes, Seattle!

    Ready to try something new this winter? Seattle’s ready for you! Beautiful by nature with its Puget Sound setting, surrounding mountains, and nearby national parks, winter in Seattle can be a magical and festive time. Ever been in a hot tub boat?...

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  16. Hole Up for a While!

    Relax, sometimes it's okay to cave in! These three hikes have caves to explore that don't require tight squeezes.

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  17. Bag an Eighter!

    You know about fourteeners, but let’s talk about “eighters”—peaks over 8,000 feet high where you don’t have to battle oxygen deprivation to savor a satisfying summit view. You’ll get a challenging hike, of course, on any of these three favorites. You just won’t need supplemental O2!

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  18. The Fourth is With You: Outside

    How do you go fourth? Maybe a bike ride with a beer break, or some great local hikes. Paddling a canoe on one of SoCal's most famous lakes is pretty relaxing. So are trails where you can take your dog! Here are a few suggestions to get the outdoors inspiration going for the fourth-coming weekend!

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  19. Stargazing Campgrounds

    Falling stars, full moons, and a bevy of celestial events this year ... summer camping is full on fantastic when you 'set your sites' on these cool campgrounds featuring dark skies and famous observatories. Bonus: There's first-come, first-served options, too.

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  20. Like Summer Camp—Only Better!

    Does the start of summer conjure memories of camp? Indulge a bit of nostalgia adult-style, with archery, hiking, canoeing, and a not-just-for-kids waterpark!

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  21. Take Dad Outdoors!

    What's your Father's day plan? How about a peak hike and some beers? Or teaming up to snag a first-come, first-served campsite? There's always a bike ride and some brunch! Here are three great way to celebrate your dad with a little help from nature.

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  22. Hurray for Long Days!

    Cure for the common cubicle? Get outdoors! Whether you get out on one of these hikes this weekend or after work, right now is a great time to savor longer sunny SoCal days.

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  1. Man hiking up a trail at Montara Mountain, with a view of the Pacific and Grey Whale sand beach in the background

    From Beach to Summit

    No need to decide between a beach and a mountaintop—this hike includes both! Explore the stunning coastal scenery on this 6-mile out-and-back up Montara Mountain and into Rancho Corral de Tierra.

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  2. Picnic and a Pedal

    West Marin has all the right stuff for an afternoon getaway: bike paths, babbling brooks, canopy forests, and secluded picnic spots. Combine a picnic and a pedal at Samuel P. Taylor State Park by biking the easygoing Cross Marin Trail.

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  3. Most Peaceful Hike of All

    Is this the most peaceful one-hour hike in the Bay Area? It's got our vote! Lake Lagunitas is the smallest lake in a series of five found on the north side of Mount Tam, so it’s got that tiny but mighty charm. Do a 1.5-mile loop around the lake's shore-hugging trail.

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  4. Sebastopol Food & Wine Roll

    One apple farm, three charming towns, multiple wineries, and infinite natural beauty. Savor a perfect autumn day in Sonoma County by biking the West County Regional Trail from Sebastopol to Forestville via Graton. It’s a 17-mile (round-trip) adventure. 

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  1. Woman walking in the Venice Canals of Los Angeles County

    Canal Contemplations

    With its incense-scented boardwalk, bohemian shops, skateparks, and abundance of body builders, Venice is happily eccentric, and artistic. Exhibit A: Its network of European-style canals with charming bridges, offering a tranquil tour of the town’s history.

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  2. Wine Down, Dine Out in Lake Chelan

    The fertile soil around Washington State's Lake Chelan is ripe for more than just the amazing apples. Vineyards here yield high quality grapes, and some of the country’s best less-discovered wineries. Locals know it, and you will too when you start choosing from the more than 30 wineries in the region.

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  3. What's Up, Winthrop!

    It’s not just its location close to Washington State’s spectacular and less visited national park (North Cascades) that makes Winthrop such a winsome mountain town. This lively enclave in the Methow Valley bristles with a whimsical blend of Wild West charms, contemporary culture, and a mosaic of outdoor adventures—from river to lake to waterfalls, and beyond.

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  4. Hike San Diego Volcan Mountain Wilderness

    Planet of the Oaks

    Let us count the number of oak tree species in the Volcan Mountain Wilderness Preserve near Julian: coast, scrub, canyon, black, and Engelmann. Five! The preserve’s Five Oaks Trail is a 3.2-mile hike that boasts all five.

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