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  1. Swan Pedal Boats alight on Echo Park Lake
    Southern CA

    Romance On The Fly

    Caught without a Cupid plan this weekend? When the weather settles, here are a few ideas that might hit the sweet spot for a romantic outing.

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  2. Northern CA

    Planetary Parade

    Planets on parade? The next few weeks will be some of the best for catching clear sight of planetary alignments, either with the naked eye or through the help of telescopes. From campsites to observatories, here are some places for catching a night sky show.

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  3. Southern CA

    See the Planets on Parade

    Look up. Are those planets on parade? Planetary alignments are stars of the night sky show for the next few weeks. Some planets can be seen with the naked eye, others require a telescope. From campsites and lodges to observatories and signature events in dark sky destinations, here are some suggestions for catching a celestial show. 

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  4. Sponsored
    2025-04-09

    Weekend in Reno Tahoe

    Weekend plans? Reno Tahoe! Just a few hours by car or a short flight away, Reno Tahoe springs to the moment with great ways to combine adventure and relaxation in its beautiful mountains-meets-desert setting.

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  5. Northern CA

    Walks in the Great Artdoors

    Ready to stroll in the great artdoors? These three locales across the Peninsula, San Francisco, and Napa let you explore beautiful art located outdoors, from sculptures and murals to gardens and meadows (with food and drink bonuses, too).

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  6. Southern CA

    Beautiful Desert Hikes

    Has January felt like the long goodbye? Send it off with some desert perspectives, from a challenging hike offering a big point of view to a gem sunset spot and a trio of trails with enchanting scenery.

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  7. Northern CA

    Super Sunsets

    These three spots in the North Bay deliver the golden goods. From a newly protected ridge top gem in Tiburon to a less-known knoll on Mount Tam, it’s time to get glowing!

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  8. Woman hiking up canyon wall using wall rings as an assist in Mojave Desert on Hole-in-the-Wall hike
    Southern CA

    Desert Explorations

    Winter is a good time to go exploring in these three deserts, featuring a canyon climb hike with wall rings, a hulking natural bridge, and a premier sunset and stargazing spot.

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  9. Redding

    Redding For You

    New Year, new adventures: Get Redding for a 2025 group getaway. This sunniest city in California is surrounded by Lassen, Shasta, and mountainous Whiskeytown National Recreation Area. Here are a few itineraries that get you up-close animal encounters at Turtle Bay, bike riding by murals, urban food and art, even line dancing lessons at a family-friendly warehouse brew pub. Are you Redding?

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  10. Northern CA

    Try Something New

    Ready to do something new? From beginner-friendly scenic mountain biking, and a superb spot for spying Mavericks' big waves, to a park where you can hike and explore the great artdoors, here are three great ways to kick off 2025.

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  11. Southern CA

    Taking a Time Out

    Given the terrible devastations resulting from the firestorms, we're taking a pause on this week's issue for Southern California. Please stay safe, SoCal. Our thoughts are with all those affected by these fires. Thank you to our first responders and aid organizations.

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  12. woman hiking Mendocino Headland bluffs
    Northern CA

    Bluffing Good Hikes for 2025

    Happy New Year! Plan some time for quiet contemplations and tranquil respites where you can think about 2025 and nurture yourself in nature. Here are three brilliant bluff hikes to find time for peace of mind. 

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  13. Southern CA

    Winter Wanders and Ponders

    Happy New Year! Take a little time out this winter for walks of wonders, and wonderings. Here are some peaceful hikes to do in beautiful nature respites.

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  14. Northern CA

    Top 10 Adventures of 2024

    Looking back, looking forward. As we wish you a 2025 filled with your favorite places and people and experiences, we wanted to share some of your favorite Weekend Sherpa stories in 2024. Here's the Top 10 of this past year. Onward!

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  15. Sponsored
    2025-04-09

    Weekend in Reno Tahoe

    Weekend plans? Reno Tahoe! Just a few hours by car or a short flight away, Reno Tahoe springs to the moment with great ways to combine adventure and relaxation in its beautiful mountains-meets-desert setting.

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  16. Southern CA

    Top of the Year!

    There were a lot of interesting and fun things to do outside in 2024, but these outdoor pursuits had a little extra zest. Here are the top 10 stories of the year. Wishing you and yours all the best as we close out the holiday season. See you in 2025!

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  17. Northern CA

    A Most Viewtiful Holiday Season

    Wishing you happy holidays and time to find inspiration outdoors. Next week is our Top 10 Adventures of 2024 issue, and in the meantime check out these three San Francisco parks where you can find viewtiful inspiration over the holidays.

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  18. Southern CA

    Make Santa Jealous Hikes and Bike Rides

    Happy holidays to all, and to all a good beach hike ... or bike! If the weather outside isn't frightful, head to Santa's favorite place for Vitamin D with these three less-known beach hike and bike rides.

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  19. Northern CA

    Silent Hikes

    We like the festive, but sometimes you need a nature break. These are three of the best hikes you do for tranquil settings amid trees, water, glittering views, and a labyrinth.

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  20. Southern CA

    Spirited Away Hikes

    With the holidays in full gear, add some festive fun to your next hike. From Big Bear to Cherry Valley, here are three places to enjoy hikes with big views, wildlife, and a little peace and quiet. They’re also near to towns, farms, stores, and food spots that are fully in the spirit!

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  21. Woman standing on rocks overlooking mountain scenery at sunset in Los Angeles County at Cold Creek Trail in Moreno Valley
    Southern CA

    Short Sunset Hikes for the Holidays

    Shorter days and crisper air do bring a bonus: late day hikes can be beautiful thanks to the sun's golden touch. These three hikes are beautiful, short, and sunset sweet.

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  22. Two hikers at Bear Creek Redwoods Regional Preserve on a new trail.
    Northern CA

    Tranquility in the Trees

    If you find yourself in overdrive during the season of holly jolly, take a tree break. These three Bay Area hikes, including a new trail, offer tranquility amid oaks, redwoods, and mixed forest.

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Trending Stories NorCal

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  1. Serene Las Gallinas

    A serene stroll alongside marshland, passing ponds and grasses frilled in seasonal wildflowers, with Mount Tam a beacon in the background … how nice. As part of the esteemed Bay Trail, San Rafael’s Las Gallinas Valley Birding Loop and Wildlife Ponds comprises about 3.5 miles of wide-open trail.

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  2. Paint Brushy

    This time of year you’ll have good reason to head for the hills—the electric-green rolling hills of Brushy Peak Regional Preserve in Livermore. This 4.5-mile loop hike is like stepping into a plein air painting.

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  3. Sponsored

    2025 POST Wildflower Walks

    Get flower empowered! POST’s complimentary 2025 Wildflower Walks guide blooms with the best places to see a variety of florals across the Peninsula and South Bay this spring.

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  4. All right, Almaden!

    Take a trip through time on this 5-mile loop in Almaden Quicksilver County Park. Explore the ruins of an old cinnabar mine and enjoy the first hints of wildflower season.

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Trending Stories SoCal

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  1. Sponsored

    Weekend in Reno Tahoe

    Weekend plans? Reno Tahoe! Just a few hours by car or a short flight away, Reno Tahoe springs to the moment with great ways to combine adventure and relaxation in its beautiful mountains-meets-desert setting.

    View
  2. Hiker walking along the North Bluff Trail on Santa Cruz Island, Channel Islands National Park

    Purely Wild

    Channel Islands National Park lives up to its nickname as “North America’s Galapagos.” This less-traveled national park is an undeveloped and isolated series of five dramatic and distinct islands reached by boat. Hike the largest of the islands, Santa Cruz.

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  3. Woman hiking the South Kaibab Trail in the Grand Canyon

    Truly Grand Day Hike

    One of the best spring day hikes in the Grand Canyon? See layer upon layer of the park’s grandeur—including the river—on this 3-mile (one-way) journey to Skeleton Point via the South Kaibab Trail.

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  4. A woman stands amid an array of yellow and purple flowers at Descanso Gardens in Los Angeles

    Petal Paradise

    Tulips, lilacs, and daffodils—flower power is in full bloom at Descanso Gardens in La Cañada Flintridge. Sprawling across 150 acres surrounded by mountains, the gardens are putting on their best show right now.

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