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  1. Southern CA

    How Do You Lake It?

    Time for a lake break! Now’s a good time to head out to some of California’s premiere oases. These three California adventures include refreshing lake stops that add some sparkle to your summer plans.

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  2. Northern CA

    Picnic With a View

    Room with a view, table with a view... picnic with a view! These three picnic (and BBQ) spots in the North Bay will elevate your charcuterie game.

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  3. Southern CA

    LA Hikes + French Bakery Bonuses

    Hikes and urban walks aren’t Olympic sports, yet. But that doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate the 2024 Paris games and some 2028 LA enthusiasm! Do these less-traveled LA trails where after the sweat come the sweets! As in, some of LA’s tastiest French bakeries. Here we goooooo!

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  4. Sponsored
    2024-12-18

    Sublime San Juan Islands

    Well, well, this wellness action plan takes you to the San Juan Islands! Easily reached by ferry yet worlds away in tranquility and unique adventures, this Washington State jewel of the Salish Sea nurtures through nature.

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  5. Northern CA

    Sunsets & Stargazing

    Look up! Summer nights are some of the best for lingering sunsets and stargazing glories. We've rounded up a backpacking beach trip, an observatory star party, and a prime city-to-sea vantage for observing sunsets and celestial events, including the Perseid meteor shower (peaking August 11).

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  6. Southern CA

    Celestial Style

    Summer nights bring lingering sunsets, full moon bliss, and meteor shower shows like the Perseid, currently active and peaking August 11. Check out these top places for hikes and campsites to soak in SoCal, celestial style.  

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  7. Northern CA & Southern CA

    Wild Wonders of California

    Desert, forest, city, coast—four of the Golden State’s most wild, dynamic, and resilient ecosystems—are featured in California: State of Nature, a new exhibition at the California Academy of Sciences. We’re sharing some of the best places for outdoor adventures in these ecosystems, and providing a peek inside the exhibition. Plus enter for a complimentary 2-Night Getaway on California’s “secret coast" and 4 tickets to the CA Academy of Sciences!

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  8. Northern CA

    Redwoods to Wildflowers

    Mid-summer break: Stop and smell the flowers, see the forest for the trees. These three hikes feature some of the Bay Area’s most iconic flora—from redwoods to roses, even some summer wildflowers ... with beautiful vistas too!

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  9. Southern CA

    Glowing Summer Adventures

    Brighten up your summer nights with adventures that bring some cool light! From a star-gazing campground and an upcoming Star Fest, to the silver shoreline flashes of amazing grunion fish runs, here are three fun ways to see what glows in the night.

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  10. Northern CA & Southern CA

    Where to Camp in CA: Part 2

    It's not easy getting the good stuff for camping, but with some planning ahead, or some luck with first come, first serves, it can be a magical experience. Here's our recommendations on where to sleep under the stars, and near the water, in California.

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  11. Southern CA

    Fourthcoming Outdoors

    Happy 4th! Things are heating up, so your best bet might be to keep things close to the coast. Here are a few WS favorites that'll have you down by the shore.

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  12. Northern CA

    4th Shore!

    Happy 4th! Mother Nature sure cranked the heat for this one. So your best bet might be to head for the shore … here are a few WS favorite coastal excursions.

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  13. Southern CA

    Okay, Cool (Hikes, Beaches, Camps)

    When the heat's on in SoCal, nature's air conditioning can help if you know where to go. From camping at the beach, to seaside strolls, and high elevation hiking and bouldering, here are a few ways to help keep your cool and have a lot of fun too!

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  14. Woman taking a photo on a bike path
    Northern CA

    Waterside Rides

    Waterside bike rides come in all types thanks to Northern California’s dynamic environments. From a bike-in beach to bike rides by beautiful Bair Island and iconic Golden Gate views, here are three ways to pedal down by the bay, the sea, or the slough!

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  15. Sponsored
    2024-12-18

    Sublime San Juan Islands

    Well, well, this wellness action plan takes you to the San Juan Islands! Easily reached by ferry yet worlds away in tranquility and unique adventures, this Washington State jewel of the Salish Sea nurtures through nature.

    View
  16. Southern CA & Northern CA

    Waterfall Summer Hikes

    Some waterfall hikes are still spectacles even in early summer, especially after a snow-packing winter. From less known waterworks in the far reaches of both Yosemite and Shasta County, to a stunner in a neighboring state, here are three ways to have a waterfall start to summer.

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  17. Northern CA

    Wine Country Sleeps, Paddles, and Pedals

    There’s plenty to sip and swirl around these three wine regions in the Bay Area and Northern California, but the great outdoors here also pours on the charm. From a unique place to sleep among the sheep, to a truly cool (and cooling!) river paddle, and a bike ride through bountiful vineyards, uncork these fun and unique wine country adventures!

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  18. Southern CA

    Beachy-Keen Hikes

    With summer on the horizon, coastal hikes that include beaches can be a 10 out of 10 experience. Where to go? Beach ya to it! Here are three recommendations...

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  19. Southern CA

    Seaside Hikes, Bike Rides, and Camp Spots in SoCal

    Sally sells seashells by the seashore, but where does Sally hike and bike and camp? By the sea, of course! Here are three seaside strolls and rolls that are simply spectacular ... and some have sleeping spot campsites too.

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  20. Northern CA

    Tree Glee

    As the season heats up, find some shade amid the grandeur of redwoods in these three parks that make a big impression!

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  21. Lakes Basin Camping and Hiking in the Sierra Nevada
    Southern CA & Northern CA

    Where to Camp and Glamp in CA: Part 1

    We feel the camping vibes. Here's our first in a two-part roundup of beautiful destinations that also have camping, cabins, and glamping.

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  22. Northern CA

    Long May You Roam, Close to Home

    A little late in planning for the upcoming weekend? We've got some ideas for you. From island biking and beach or picnic bliss, to ridge rambling and a classic SF adventure, here are some ways to stretch your outdoor adventures over the holiday weekend.

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Trending Stories NorCal

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  1. Sponsored

    The 2025 Hiking Calendar Is Here!

    Ready to make hiking part of your New Year’s wellness plan? Get the all-new 2025 Hiking Calendar courtesy of Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST).

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  2. Two hikers at Bear Creek Redwoods Regional Preserve on a new trail.

    New Trails at Bear Creek

    Looking for new trails? Bear Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve has added 170 acres of forest, grassland, and historical sites. Hike this 3.5-mile loop through the new addition.

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  3. Woman swimming in Carson Hotsprings natural thermal pool

    Hot Springs, Naturally

    Thermal spring waters are famous for their curative, relaxing elements, and Reno Tahoe is filled with them! Sink into these amazing thermal respites for a wellness super soak.

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  4. Drake Awakening

    Part salt water, part fresh water, Drake’s Estero is smack in the middle of Point Reyes, and one of only two marine wilderness areas in the entire nation. Yeah, it’s worth a look. Get the extended version by hiking right alongside it.

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Trending Stories SoCal

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  1. Weekend Sherpa Podcast
    Sponsored

    Weekend Sherpa Podcast: Take it Outside

    Adventure for your earbuds. What's new in the world of the outdoors? Listen to Weekend Sherpa co-founders discuss local hikes, beaches, bike rides, camping spots and all kinds of travel and adventure in California and beyond!

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  2. Boardwalking Bliss

    The Stanfield Preserve Boardwalk Trail traverses 1.6 miles of beautiful Big Bear Lake, giving you a chance to get up close to the lake without needing a boat. You’ll also enjoy some peaceful wildlife watching.

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  3. Get Into The Grove

    The 1.8-mile Oak Grove Park Loop trail in La Cañada is short, easy, and close to the city; meaning it’s a perfect destination for a quick holiday hike.

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  4. Woman hiking down the stairs to Coast Royale Beach in Orange County

    Secluded Royale

    Panoramic coastal views and a killer leg workout combine on this 2.7-mile (round-trip) out-and-back hike to secluded Coast Royale Beach in Orange County

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