All Stories from Southern CA

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  Rise and Shine Zabriskie Hike

  The sunrise at Zabriskie Point makes a grand entrance, with the light ascending slowly and washing over the golden badlands. It’s signature Death Valley. It’s also a great starting point for one of the Valley’s marquee hikes.

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  Starry Night & Dark Sky Adventures

  You don’t have to stay out all that late to experience eminent stargazing at Death Valley National Park. The park's been given the highest ranking of darkness by the International Dark-Sky Association. Here are a trio of amazing ways to witness the mesmerizing night sky at Death Valley:

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  Sponsored

  Sonoma Valley's 100 Days of Winter Wellness Guide

  This winter wellness plan goes to 100! Nurture yourself in 2024 with Sonoma Valley’s 100 Days of Winter Wellness guide. It’s a perfectly curated array of inspiration and ideas.

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  Sponsored

  Yosemite's Winter Wonders (& Deals!)

  It’s snow time, and Yosemite National Park is ready! The Golden State’s beloved park has all kinds of winter sports, scenic adventures, and excellent deals.

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  Norco Powered

  This 2.5-mile out-and-back trail in Norco climbs 643 feet to the summit of Norco Mountain—a small peak overlooking the Inland Empire.

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  Chino Chimes

  The 2.5-mile Eucalyptus South Loop in Chino Hills proves you don’t have to go far to find beautiful places to see the beauty of a late day sun.

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  Jurupa Jamboree

  If you like a short hike with a side of adventure, try the Jurupa Hills North Trail in Martin Tudor Jurupa Hills Regional Park.

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  Uphill Both Ways

  Wren Meacham Trail in Glendora’s Big Dalton Wilderness Area is a 1.9-mile out-and-back trail that’s uphill both ways. It boasts a whopping 744 feet of elevation, and you get to climb it twice, with fabulous views for extra inspiration.

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  Go Steep

  Whether you’re looking for an intense workout or a moderate one, Steep Canyon Trail in Diamond Bar has you covered. This 1.5-mile loop in Summitridge Park can be either a steep climb or a gradual incline up the 416 feet of elevation gain.

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  City Looper

  Located right in the middle of a city, the La Sierra Trail Loop in Chino Hills still manages to feel like an escape to nature, packing in 395 feet of elevation gain to get your blood flowing and your legs moving.

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  Snow Time Like the Present

  This holiday season unwrap everyone’s best winter getaway. South Lake Tahoe takes your outdoor adventures beyond the ski resorts. Your basecamp—Zephyr Cove Resort—has lakeside wood cabins, a beautiful mile-long beach, and plenty of activities.

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  Lake Looper

  In summer Jenks Lake in the San Bernardino National Forest is bustling with families enjoying lakeside activities. But in the fall and winter this place is calm and peaceful. A 3.1-mile loop trail explores the lake.

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  All the Wrightwood Stuff

  The Mountain High area of Wrightwood is known for its skiing, but there’s also a hiking trail there. The Inspiration Point to Snowmaking Pond Trail climbs 610 feet, skirting the edge of the Sheep Mountain Wilderness Area for a roughly 3.5 miles (round-trip).

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  Camp Quietude

  Solitude isn’t exactly the first thing that comes to mind when hiking in Icehouse Canyon, but the hike to Cedar Glen Campground along the Chapman Trail actually brings some peace and quiet in this otherwise busy hiking destination.

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  Not Your Garden Variety Botanical Garden

  Fort Bragg’s Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens makes a splash in more ways than its fabulous flora. Its 47 acres include a stunning bluff-side hiking trail overlooking the Pacific, where cliffs drop dramatically to the wild waves below.

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  Bluffing Good Time

  Accessible right from town, a bluff-side walk at Mendocino Headlands State Park is pretty much mandatory. The marquee trails here overlook not just the charming hamlet of Mendocino, but also the dramatic coastal scenery from the bluffs.

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  Beach to Town by Hidden Stairway

  A hidden stairway makes this adventure as easy and fun as a walk on the beach. Thank Beth’s Stairs, a hidden wooden staircase connecting Big River Beach in Mendocino Headlands State Park to the charming town of Mendocino.

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  Red Rocks in California

  Colorful badlands, towering buttes, and scenic desert cliffs form a hikers paradise. Red Rock Canyon State Park is a lightly visited desert wonderland where the southernmost tip of the Sierra Nevada converges with the El Paso range.

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  This Santa

  In 1861 the Old Santa Susana Stagecoach Road was used by Wells Fargo & Company as a stagecoach route. These days the stagecoaches are long gone, leaving behind a historic hiking trail. Santa Susana Pass State Park is a fairly small park and most of the trails intersect, offering up lots of opportunities for exploration.

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  Something Silverwood

  Most people think of Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area in the San Bernardino National Forest as a summer outing, but a hike along the 6.6-mile (round-trip) Cleghorn Bike Path proves this park might be even better in the fall.

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