All Stories from Southern CA
Chain of Alpine Lakes
There are six and a half good reasons to do this 6.5-mile (out-and-back) hike in the eastern Sierras’ Inyo National Forest. The Little Lakes Valley hike is an oasis-hopping, mounta
ViewRocky Alpine High
Set at 10,000 feet in the Inyo National Forest of the eastern Sierras, Rock Creek Lake is idyllic, with its sandy shores and the colorful rainbow trout easily spotted in the transp
ViewDesolation Drama
Oval-shaped Dicks Lake is one of the scenic gems of the Desolation Wilderness. Set in a dramatic glacial cirque with 9,974-foot Dicks Peak soaring behind it, the lake makes a perfe
ViewBag Tahoe's Tallest
You can’t call yourself a Tahoe hiker until you’ve climbed 9,735-foot Mount Tallac, the imposing peak that towers over Lake Tahoe’s southwest shore. This butt-kicking, 9.4-mile hik
ViewSleep Like a Rock
No crowds, no cell phone service—now that’s a wilderness getaway! The hugely underrated Rock Creek Lake in the Inyo National Forest of the eastern Sierra is known for its peaceful
ViewMesa's Magical
If the Pacific Ocean and Channel Islands views don’t take your breath away, these 242 steps will. Mesa Lane boasts Santa Barbara’s longest and most aesthetic staircase, descending
ViewThousand Steps Beach
Okay, the name is a bit of an exaggeration—it takes only 154 steps to reach Santa Barbara's Thousand Steps Beach (also known as Camino al Mar, Spanish for “the way to the sea”). Bu
ViewGive Me More Mesa
A typical beach routine: Drive to a parking lot, haul out your cooler, traipse across the asphalt to the sand. Want more out of the experience? Then head to More Mesa and its view-
ViewSimply Putah-ful
Immortalized in Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Green River,” Yolo County’s Putah Creek is proof that some legends never dry! Its snaking banks still teem with underrated bayou cha
ViewBig, Beautiful Beaudry
You won’t hear the croaky voice of Jed the Fish when you reach the KROQ radio tower at the top of this peak, but you might yodel at the top of your lungs for the glorious views you
ViewStough Away
There’s nothing quite like old ruins to put civilization into perspective. Hiking to the vestiges of a mid-century youth camp perched in the Verdugo Mountains above Burbank doesn’t
ViewLa Tuna Special
As one of the few footpaths within the Verdugo Mountains, La Tuna Canyon Trail feels like a backcountry trek, even with its proximity to the 210 Freeway.
ViewGaviota Wind Caves
Gaviota State Park is home to the 3-mile out-and-back Gaviota Wind Caves Trail, with over 600 feet in elevation gain, unique topography, seasonal wildflowers, and incredible ocean views.
ViewGaviota Hidden Hot Springs
Whether you need to relax after summiting Gaviota Peak in Gaviota State Park, or just prefer a quick, scenic destination hike, Gaviota Hot Springs is well worth the $2 parking fee.
ViewGaviota Peak
Some of the best coastal views in the Golden State don’t come easy, but the payoff makes up for the challenge! Head for Gaviota State Park’s headlining hike, Gaviota Peak. It’s a 6
ViewOn Cloud 9
With a name like Clouds Rest you expect this hike to rise pretty darn high. And boy does it deliver! Yosemite's Clouds Rest sits at 9,926 feet, 1,000 feet higher than Half Dome’s t
ViewTaftastic Perspective
Not many hikes offer mile-high views in just a mile of hiking. But point your boots towards Yosemite's Taft Point: While the 1.1-mile hike from the trailhead is moderate, the views
ViewWelcome to the Master Dome
Those with a fear of heights need not apply for one of the coveted permits to summit Yosemite's iconic Half Dome, topping out at 8,836 feet with grand and uninhibited views across
ViewSunset's Up!
San Diego is famous for its coastal views. And it doesn’t get much better than the Sunset Cliffs in Point Loma. The vistas along this less-traveled stretch of coastline (Ocean Beach is more populated) are some of the most spectacular in the Golden State. Get on the scene via a 3-mile (round-trip) hike.
ViewLa Jolla Joy
On the San Diego bucket list: La Jolla Cove. The problem: It’s on everyone’s bucket list! And it leads to parking mayhem. The solution? Take the route that’s a good workout, with e
View
Mini Guide to Reno Tahoe’s Lodging and Dining
So, you’re going to Reno Tahoe for some time in nature, and some time in nurture? Excellent choice. The fun and wonder of Reno Tahoe is the easy part.
Visit Reno Tahoe
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