All in Southern CA

1. 

   Bill Murray Adventures

   Bill Murray seems to be everywhere these days (have you seen the T-shirts and stickers lately?). He definitely marches to the beat of his own drum, and we dig it. Here are a few adventures inspired by his movies.

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2. 

   Must-do Deukmejian

   Deukmejian Wilderness Park in the San Gabriel foothills has no crowds, no entrance fee, and no shortage of stunning scenery. Explore this accessible wilderness and learn a little local lore too!

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3. 

   Jurassic Outdoors

   Clomp, stomp, chomp, yowza! Dinosaurs have gone wild in Hollywood! You can go wild too, on these outdoor adventures selected in the spirit of Jurassic World.

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4. 
   Sponsored

   2024-12-18

   Sublime San Juan Islands

   Well, well, this wellness action plan takes you to the San Juan Islands! Easily reached by ferry yet worlds away in tranquility and unique adventures, this Washington State jewel of the Salish Sea nurtures through nature.

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5. 

   Weekend Sherpa Adventure Challenge 2015

   How It Works: 1. Choose any 3 adventures from Weekend Sherpa (hikes, bike rides, picnic spots, camping, etc.), and do those adventures this summer! 2. Take a photo of yourself doing each of your 3 adventures and upload them to Weekend Sherpa’s Facebook page or your Instagram and be sure to tag #weekendsherpa. You can upload one photo at a time or all three at once. 3. Email adventure@weekendsherpa.com naming the 3 adventures you’ve completed, and you’ll receive an email back with a Certificate of Completion. 4. Present your Certificate of Completion via printout or mobile device at any of the following The North Face stores: San Francisco (180 Post St.), Village at Corte Madera (1602 Redwood Hwy.), Palo Alto (217 Alma St.)—and receive your free Weekend Sherpa wicking shirt by The North Face, plus a limited-edition tote bag, and other cool stuff from our partners. GRAND PRIZE: When you finish the Adventure Challenge, you're automatically entered to win two round-trip tickets anywhere Alaska Airlines flies from California, including Hawaii, Mexico, and Costa Rica! Only one T-shirt and tote bag per person for the duration of the challenge while supplies last. Ends September 14.

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6. 

   Weekend Sherpa Adventure Challenge 2015

   How It Works: 1. Choose any 3 adventures from Weekend Sherpa (hikes, bike rides, picnic spots, camping, etc.), and do those adventures this summer! 2. Take a photo of yourself doing each of your 3 adventures and upload them to Weekend Sherpa’s Facebook page or your Instagram and be sure to tag #weekendsherpa. You can upload one photo at a time or all three at once. 3. Email adventure@weekendsherpa.com and name the 3 adventures you complete. You'll receive an email back containing a Certificate of Completion. 4. Present your Certificate of Completion via printout or mobile device at either of the following The North Face stores: Beverly Hills (423 N. Beverly Dr.), and Costa Mesa (3333 Bear St.)—and receive your free Weekend Sherpa wicking shirt by The North Face, plus a limited-edition tote bag, and other cool stuff from our partners. GRAND PRIZE: When you finish the Adventure Challenge, you're automatically entered to win two round-trip tickets anywhere Alaska Airlines flies from California, including Hawaii, Mexico, and Costa Rica! Only one T-shirt and tote bag per person for the duration of the challenge while supplies last. Ends September 14.

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7. 

   Ace Ventura

   Ace your next trip to Ventura County with some off-the-beaten-path adventures on land and sea.

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8. 

   Upside Down Hikes

   Hiking up and up isn't the only way to get to the good stuff. Flip the order and get a different point of view. Here are three hikes where starting with a descent has an upside. Down you go!

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9. 

   Make It Memorial

   Kick Butte Hike: Get a taste of the Mojave Desert without leaving Los Angeles County! Saddleback Butte State Park is home to a solitary mountain rising 3,651 feet. Bag this peak on a 5-mile (round-trip) journey that ascends 950 feet. Grand Entrance: The relaxing, artistic town of Ojai makes an impression, and so will you when you roll into town … on two wheels! This mellow 19-mile (round-trip) bike ride on the Ojai Valley Trail starts at Foster Park and takes you all the way into downtown Ojai. Oh Soak Good: Enjoy a little R&R (retro resort and really warm mineral water). While it might not be a typical desert oasis, the springs at Desert Hot Springs Spa Hotel offer a chance to soak in natural mineral pools, with a piña colada! Hero Image: If you're looking for solitude at Runyon Canyon Park, you're in the wrong place … unless you decide to hike Route C (aka the Hero's Trail). This grueling path up the park's westernmost ridge isn't for the faint of heart—and sees fewer hikers as a result. Vouch for Volcan: An hour east of San Diego, Julian is a popular apple pie hub, yet few people venture beyond to nearby Volcan Mountain Wilderness Preserve at Wynola. They're missing out on a hiker's haven, including a 5-mile (round-trip) summit hike shaded by sycamores and oaks. Hoppy Ending: Hop on a two-wheeler for a laid-back 14-mile (round-trip) bike ride along the LA River that concludes with a happy—and hoppy!—ending: a craft-brewed IPA paired with fried avocado tacos …  and a gorgeous sunset.

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10. 

    Spring for These Hikes

    Famous for its sandy beaches and sunny days, San Diego County also has a more mountainous side. From south to north, here are three hikes to get you going.

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11. 

    Camp & Hike Combos

    You've heard of farm to table, but what about tent to trail? Set up camp and hike the San Bernardino Mountains between Lake Arrowhead and Big Bear Lake this summer.

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12. 

    Tour de SoCal

    The Amgen Tour of California is set to roll across the Golden State this May. Preview tour-worthy cycling destinations in the Southland on three rides suitable for beginners. All ride, all ride, all ride.

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13. 

    Ojai There!

    Get off the grid for a bird’s-eye Ojai! Ojai Valley is spring-loaded with ways to relax and ways to adventure. Spend the night in a cozy yurt, go on a valley bike ride that leads into the artsy downtown, or have a hike-in adventure to a creekside campground.

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14. 

    Geek Outdoors

    Grab a visor and strap on a fanny pack! It's time to explore your local outdoors the way a tourist might! Here are some fun ways to geek out(side).

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15. 
    Sponsored

    2024-12-18

    Sublime San Juan Islands

    Well, well, this wellness action plan takes you to the San Juan Islands! Easily reached by ferry yet worlds away in tranquility and unique adventures, this Washington State jewel of the Salish Sea nurtures through nature.

    View
16. 

    Joshua Tree on a Whim

    A desert escape to Joshua Tree National Park is just what the "doctor" ordered … a landscape of climbable towering granite rock, marvelous hikes, and a place to soak your bones and sip a cocktail after adventures among the whimsically wild trees. You'll feel like you've been transported to the pages of a Dr. Seuss book. Oh, the places you'll go!

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17. 

    A Little Buzz

    Who doesn't love a good buzz? No, not that kind of buzz. The buzz you get when you stop to refuel at a small airport diner as part of your outdoor adventure. Here are a few ways to get outside and go for brunch too (coffee and beer buzz optional).

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18. 

    Swing Up to the Coast

    There's a reason people like hiking to high places in San Luis Obispo. This Central Coast adventureland is surrounded by ancient volcanoes, rolling green hills, and a dramatic coastline. Toss in some tree swings, and see SLO from new heights on any of these three hikes.

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19. 

    Swing Down to the Coast

    There's a reason people like hiking to high places in San Luis Obispo. This Central Coast adventureland is surrounded by ancient volcanoes, rolling green hills, and a dramatic coastline. Toss in some tree swings, and see SLO from new heights on any of these three hikes.

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20. 

    Bike to Beer

    Los Angeles and "beer scene" haven’t always gone together, but that's changing. Upstart breweries are earning accolades across the Southland and so are the bike trails that lead to them. Here are three bike-to-brews rides that go down smooth.

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21. 

    Oscars for the Outdoors

    The Academy Awards are this Sunday, but before you sit down to toast cinematic excellence on the big screen, enjoy the bigger picture by heading outdoors to hike, bike, and explore a few local spots that made their way to stardom. And—action!

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22. 

    Trails Less Traveled

    With so many popular places to hike in Los Angeles, where do you go to escape the crowds? How about to those same popular places… Here are three ways to get off the beaten path in some of LA's busiest hiking hot spots.

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