Top Adventures of 2015

Hike 5 miles (round-trip) to a mountain peak in the desert without leaving Los Angeles County, at Saddleback Butte State Park.

You want your California beach camping to be off the beaten path? There's a secluded slice of beach paradise for that.

Is the world's most famous sign haunted? Find out for yourself on a cardio-filled 7-mile (round-trip) hike in Griffith Park.

The towering, fog-enshrouded coastal redwoods of the northern coast feel like a world away from LA, but did you know you can find redwoods right in Orange County?

Adventure up in San Diego County! To 5,737-foot Stonewall Peak. This 4-mile (round-trip) hike leads to a brilliant panorama via a set of carved stone stairs.

One of SoCal's coolest caves is found just outside of suburbia on a solid loop hike and short scramble in Los Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve.

Cardio hiking, stunning views, and a location that's super close to downtown? Urban adventure has a wild side, and the proof is on Mount Washington with this 4-mile loop.

We all know the sun rises in the east, so West Coasters are deprived of ocean sunrises, right? Not exactly. There's a vantage from Point Dume Nature Preserve where the sun comes up smack dab over the Pacific.

Enjoy marvelous hikes and a place to soak your bones and sip a cocktail after adventures among the whimsically wild trees of Joshua Tree National Park.

Go on an 8-mile bike ride with plenty of scenery, greenery, and a pit stop for an imperial pint at a taproom beer haven with serious British influence.

Discover New ABCs. ABC= Adventures in British Columbia! The westernmost Canadian province has a rainforest with a hidden hot springs, epic hiking in Whistler, and incredible lake and oceanside respites for eating, drinking, and sleeping.

Week: 12.28.2015
Regions: Southern CA

1) Peak Season in a State Park

Hike 5 miles (round-trip) to a mountain peak in the desert without leaving Los Angeles County, at Saddleback Butte State Park.

Saddleback Butte State Park

2) Hidden Beach Camping on the Central Coast

You want your California beach camping to be off the beaten path? There's a secluded slice of beach paradise for that.

jalamabeachview-image-jpeg

3) Haunting of the Hollywood Sign

Is the world's most famous sign haunted? Find out for yourself on a cardio-filled 7-mile (round-trip) hike in Griffith Park.

lake-hollywood4-image-jpeg

4) The Redwoods Nearby

The towering, fog-enshrouded coastal redwoods of the northern coast feel like a world away from LA, but did you know you can find redwoods right in Orange County?

carboncanyonpark-image-jpeg

5) Stone Stairway to a San Diego Peak

Adventure up in San Diego County! To 5,737-foot Stonewall Peak. This 4-mile (round-trip) hike leads to a brilliant panorama via a set of carved stone stairs.

stonewallpeak_lrg-image-jpeg

6) Cave, Man!

One of SoCal's coolest caves is found just outside of suburbia on a solid loop hike and short scramble in Los Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve.

cave3-image-jpeg

7) LA Gone Wild

Cardio hiking, stunning views, and a location that's super close to downtown? Urban adventure has a wild side, and the proof is on Mount Washington with this 4-mile loop.

mtwashingtonstairs_med-image-jpeg

8) Sunny Side Up

We all know the sun rises in the east, so West Coasters are deprived of ocean sunrises, right? Not exactly. There's a vantage from Point Dume Nature Preserve where the sun comes up smack dab over the Pacific.

pointdumesunrise_lrg-image-jpeg

9) Joshua Tree on a Whim

Enjoy marvelous hikes and a place to soak your bones and sip a cocktail after adventures among the whimsically wild trees of Joshua Tree National Park.

Headstone Rock Joshua Tree

10) Bike + Beer = Beautiful

Go on an 8-mile bike ride with plenty of scenery, greenery, and a pit stop for an imperial pint at a taproom beer haven with serious British influence.

MacLeod Ale Brewing Company

BONUS Beyond

Discover New ABCs. ABC= Adventures in British Columbia! The westernmost Canadian province has a rainforest with a hidden hot springs, epic hiking in Whistler, and incredible lake and oceanside respites for eating, drinking, and sleeping.

blackcombhike-image-jpeg

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Sponsored

    Warm Up to Winter in Reno Tahoe

    2026 is just getting started, but there’s one place already rising to the top as the best for adventure and relaxation: Reno Tahoe. The awe—and ahhhs—begin as soon as you arrive. G

    View
  2. Mike Zakowski (aka Mike the Baker) standing in front of his wood-fire oven at the Sonoma Valley Farmers' Market

    NEW! Walkin' and Talkin': Break Bread, Go On a Panoramic Hike

    What’s a world-traveling, medal-winning baker’s favorite local hike? Weekend Sherpa co-founder Brad Day caught up with Mike Zakowski (aka Mike the Baker) at Sonoma’s Friday farmers' market, where his wood-fired loaves draw loyal crowds. Between bites of fresh-baked bread, they talk baking, travel, and why Sonoma's Overlook Trail is one of his favorite quick, panoramic hikes.

    View
  3. Big Burdell!

    If you’re gonna go big on a hike, make it at Marin County’s biggest open space preserve, Mount Burdell. And go to the summit. You’ll be sharing the trail with grazing cows, seasonal poppies, and beautiful birds on this 5-mile (round-trip) adventure.

    View
  4. H is for Hawk Hill

    After a nearly year-long closure, Hawk Hill in the legendary Marin Headlands recently emerged with a glow-up. Thank the hearty TLC from the National Park Service. This Golden Gate National Recreation Area gem now has a new trail along with revamped spaces for taking in timeless, grand views.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. People on ice learning to curl at Hollywood Curling

    You Go, Curl!

    Hollywood Curling’s Learn to Curl classes make the perfect setting for newcomers. Take the ice, and friendly curling instructors will teach you the basics.

    View
  2. Eat, Sleep, Beach, Repeat

    For an ultra-relaxing getaway where you can sit back and soak in some nature and nurture, head to Mendocino and follow this eat, beach, sleep, repeat itinerary (you won't regret it!) ...

    View
  3. This Skunk Doesn’t Stink!

    All aboard for a ride through history—and through air scented with redwood, dewy ferns, forest-fresh breeze, and a bonus snack and beverage bar, fire pit, and short hike. The World-Famous Skunk Train delivers in every category: scenery, greenery, and towering redwoods.

    View
  4. A woman standing at the pond's edge at Ernest B Debs Regional Park in Los Angeles. Trees are making reflections on the pond.

    Urban Oasis Loop

    Home to the city’s Audubon Center, Ernest E. Debs' 282-acre park features a robust network of hiking trails and surprising wildlife diversity. More than 140 bird species have been spotted here. Birdwatcher or not, this 2.5-mile route makes for a gorgeous outing.

    View