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  1. Woman standing in Joshua Tree National Park overlooking Palm Springs
    Southern CA

    Top 10 of 2020

    In a year that was a rollercoaster of challenges, one thing felt a little more stabilizing: the great outdoors! We found respite and were able to re-energize in local parks and trails. Closing out 2020, we're sharing the top 10 best outdoor adventures of the year in Southern California. Onward to 2021!

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  2. Woman walking trail overlooking the Pacific Ocean at Hawk Hill in Marin County
    Southern CA & Northern CA

    Team Favorites

    Thank you to our 2020 team for bringing the great outdoors home in a most challenging year. Meet our contributing content producers and get ideas from their personal favorite California adventures.

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  3. Woman hugging sheep at Hidden Villa Farm in the South Bay
    Northern CA

    Comfort and Joy Outdoors

    From a hike that includes a farm filled with delightful animals, to a trail less-traveled on Mount Tam and a San Francisco classic, here are some holiday hikes for comfort and joy outside.

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  4. Sponsored
    2026-02-02

    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

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  5. A couple walking the Levee Trail and looking at the painted Rock Snake at Lake Elsinore
    Southern CA

    Hikes of Hope and Optimism to End 2020

    End 2020 on a more optimistic note. Hike among painted Rock Snakes with inspiring messages placed on trails, or search for hidden painted rocks filled with messages of gratitude.

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  6. Woman watching a sunset at Windy Hill Preserve in the South Bay
    Northern CA

    Sunset and Mistletoe Hikes

    The holidays are different in 2020 but you can still find comfort and joy outside. Go on a sunset hike that's quieter this year, or see the mistletoe and fall colors that are still making a splash.

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  7. Woman Hiking at Trebek Open Space in Los Angeles County
    Southern CA

    LA Hikes Honoring Local Legends

    Take a hike in memory of a few local legends we lost this year—from a Kobe and Gianna Bryant mural walk to hiking Trebek Open Space and exploring a trail near one of Eddie Van Halen’s haunts.

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  8. Biking in Alameda
    Northern CA

    Let's Roll!

    Looking for some fun ways to spice up the holiday season outdoors? These 3 easy bike rides include patio pit stops to grab a drink & bite. Wheels down, masks up, the holidays are on!

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  9. Sunset Hike in Ascot Hills in Los Angeles
    Southern CA

    Sunset Hikes for the Holidays

    Shorter days may leave you feeling in the dark, but there’s a bright side: sunsets! They're beautiful this time of year. From Los Angeles to San Diego, soak in the sun on any of these three hikes.

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  10. Woman at Got Rock Beach Taking Photos at Sunset
    Northern CA

    Gobble Up These Outdoor Adventures

    If there’s one thing 2020 has made vividly apparent, it’s how much we appreciate getting outside. Here’s to a safe and happy Thanksgiving, and a few ways to enjoy some local adventures.

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  11. Man hiking in redwoods at Carbon Canyon Regional Park in Orange County
    Southern CA

    Thankful for the Great Outdoors

    Wishing you a safe and happy Thanksgiving. This year we're more thankful than ever for the great outdoors. Explore some local wonders outside this weekend. Here are a few ideas to get you going.

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  12. Autumn Outdoors in Apple Hill and Nevada City
    Northern CA

    Gold Rush Outdoors

    California's closest thing to autumn in New England is in places like Apple Hill. From trails festooned in fall foliage, to local farms and wineries, plus apple cider donuts, go for gold country!

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  13. Meaderies in Southern California
    Southern CA

    You've Got It Mead!

    Beer and wine are common holiday staples, but we’ve got some sweet secrets that are worthy of some buzz: three hikes close to some of SoCal’s top meaderies (aka “honey wine”). Beeline for them.

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  14. Hike Olompali State Historic Park
    Northern CA

    Color-fall Hikes for the Holidays

    Cooler temps and colorful foliage make autumn a great time of year for hitting the trails. These three easy hikes pack in a bit of extra fall color to go with your pumpkin spice whatnot.

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  15. Sponsored
    2026-02-02

    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
  16. Urban Art and Food Hike in Los Angeles
    Southern CA

    Feast on These Urban Hikes

    These three urban hikes with food bonuses take you to hidden parks, historic fig trees, big views, mural art and magnificent landmarks. Gobble them up!

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  17. Meditative Redwoods Hikes Forest Bathing in the SF Bay Area
    Northern CA

    Redwood Therapy Hikes

    Shinrin-yoku is the Japanese art of forest bathing, developed as a way to take care of one’s health. These three meditative redwoods hikes will help to soothe your soul.

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  18. Redwoods Hikes in SoCal
    Southern CA

    SoCal's Secret Redwoods

    Redwood groves in SoCal? Yes! And they’re the perfect respites if you need some space to clear your head or just look up and revel in awe. Here are three places to wander among the local redwoods.

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  19. San Francisco Sutro Baths
    Northern CA

    Haunted Hikes

    Who ghosts there? Find out on any of these Bay Area hikes filled with ghost stories and mysteries from the past ... and where spirits may still be present. Boo-yeah!

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  20. LA Arboretum
    Southern CA

    Halloween Hikes!

    It's a boo-tiful time of year! Head out on any of these hikes in gardens and forests and hidden trails infused with the Halloween spirit, including tricks and treats and ... who ghosts there?!

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  21. Hike the Oursan Trail at Briones Reservoir
    Northern CA

    Secret Watersides

    From a tiny beach with warm-ish water to a creekside ramble and a wide-open trail less traveled: Explore, hike, and relax at any of these less known waterside escapes throughout the Bay Area.

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  22. Urban Hike from Cesar Chavez Park to Petco Park in San Diego
    Southern CA

    Home Run Hikes

    In the spirit of the World Series, these three hikes are a grand slam for getting outdoors, gaining great views, checking out some baseball landmarks, and enjoying food, wine, and beer, too. Home run!

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Trending Stories NorCal

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  1. Perles Beach Angel Island San Francisco Bay

    Secret Beach

    A hidden beach and a killer view? Those are hard to come by, but that’s exactly what you’ll get at Perles Beach on Angel Island. Bike or hike to this beautiful pocket cove.

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  2. Cinematic Sonoma

    Longer days. Golden light. Wildflowers in bloom. It’s the perfect moment to plan your spring escape to Sonoma for the Sonoma International Film Festival, March 25–29. No fuss. No sprawl. Just films, friends, fresh air, and that unmistakable Sonoma glow.

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  3. Hike Pescadero Marsh Natural Preserve

    Mellow in the Marsh

    Beach, birds, ice plant popping purple flowers: That’s a hiking slam dunk! Hike about 2 miles at Pescadero Marsh Natural Preserve using their easy to navigate (well-signed) Sequoia Audubon Trail.

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  4. A man is looking through his binoculars at sunrise at the Bayland Nature Preserve in Palo Alto

    Baylands Bird & Art Loop

    Combine an outdoor art walk and wildlife sightings at the Baylands Nature Preserve in Palo Alto. This 5-mile loop through Byxbee Park and the Emily Renzel Wetlands features striking installations by artists Peter Richards and Michael Oppenheimer—where the landscape itself becomes part of the canvas.

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Trending Stories SoCal

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  1. Tree Town

    Home to an estimated 21,000 trees and 100 acres of parkland, South Pasadena has earned its nickname: the City of Trees. This 2.5-mile neighborhood walk lets you experience its leafy canopy up close, winding through charming streets and three of the city’s beloved parks.

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  2. A Better Way to Baldwin

    The Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook in Culver City is one of West L.A.’s most popular hiking spots, but most visitors miss the bigger picture. This 3.5-mile out-and-back along a section of the Park to Playa Trail offers a fuller experience of this gorgeous nature park with sweeping urban views and a few artistic surprises along the way.

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  3. 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
  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.

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