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  1. Southern CA

    Waterfalls, Wildflowers, Wildlife Hikes

    In that mid-stretch between winter and spring some of nature is showcasing its best bling. From a waterfall hike and bloomiful trails to wildlife sanctuaries and wild birds galore, here are some places to find nature’s shoulder season bounties.

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  2. Southern CA

    Points for Perspective

    Points for perspective can come in many forms, whether you just want to wander and ponder in peace, stroll with friends in tranquil places, or gain a spectacular view on a peak hike. Here are a few outdoor ways to take a break and contemplate.

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  3. Northern CA

    Waterfall Hikes in the Redwoods

    Waterfalls, redwoods, oh here we flow! These waterfall hikes in the redwoods are best done after periods of wet weather.

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  4. Lake Nacimiento
    Sponsored
    2025-06-25

    Savor Summer in Paso Robles

    Ready for the “Great California Road Trip”? Keep it real and rolling in bucolic and beautiful Paso Robles. This down- to-earth destination has everything you need to enjoy the coolest experiences.

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  5. Northern CA

    Romance Right Quick

    If rain put a damper on your Valentine's plans, we've got some ideas for romance in a pinch this weekend. Here are a few ideas to set the scene with whoever you're sweet on.

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  6. 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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  7. 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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  8. 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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  9. 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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  10. 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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  11. 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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  12. 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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  13. 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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  14. 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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  15. Lake Nacimiento
    Sponsored
    2025-06-25

    Savor Summer in Paso Robles

    Ready for the “Great California Road Trip”? Keep it real and rolling in bucolic and beautiful Paso Robles. This down- to-earth destination has everything you need to enjoy the coolest experiences.

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  16. 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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  17. 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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  18. 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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  19. 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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  20. 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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  21. 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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  22. 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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Trending Stories NorCal

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  1. Sequoia Re-opens Crystal Cave

    Step inside Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park's hidden world by visiting the newly re-opened Crystal Cave—the only cave in the parks open to the public. Closed for four years, this rare marble karst cavern is welcoming visitors once again, but only through the summer season!

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  2. Afternoon on the Island

    What is it about tiny islands in the middle of lakes? There’s something that just draws you in. It’s even more fun when getting there is half the adventure because you have to reach it by canoe, kayak, paddleboat, or a ranger-guided boat tour!

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  3. Easiest Best Hike in the World

    Choose the easiest and most view-rewarding hike in Yosemite. Okay, we’ll go first: the combination of hiking to Sentinel Dome and Taft Point. Both of these lookouts are within a couple miles of each other on Glacier Point Road

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  4. Hiker in the forest at Mount Sutro in San Francisco

    San Francisco's Middle Earth

    No need to travel to New Zealand to visit Middle Earth. San Francisco’s Mount Sutro Open Space is practically Hobbiton—a hidden “shire” in the middle of the city. Okay, maybe not quite as magical, but still an incredible place to take a hike in city limits.

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Trending Stories SoCal

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  1. Locals' Feature: Jim Litchfield, Owner of Reno Fly Shop

    If there's a river, you're likely to find Jim Litchfield there. As the owner of Reno Fly Shop, Nevada's premier fly fishing outfitter and shop, Jim's passion for rivers knows no bounds: he's fished in places near and far, including Alaska, Bolivia and Christmas Island. But home is beautiful Reno, where he has been running Reno Fly Shop and leading tailored river float and fly fishing adventures (including beginner-friendly options) for over a decade.

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  2. Can't Top This

    San Francisco’s Presidio was already a fantastic place to hang out for the afternoon, a beautiful site within the largest urban national park in the United States (the Golden Gate National Recreation Area). And Presidio Tunnel Tops is like a cherry on top. Make that two cherries on top, with the newly opened (July 2025) Outpost Meadow, a 1.5-acre green space located at Old Mason Street across from the Crissy Field Marsh in the Presidio.

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  3. Volcanic Activity

    Northern California is home to one of the most unique ecosystems in the country: Lassen Volcanic National Park. The region features geothermal areas, including the largest dome volcano in the world, Lassen Peak. Hike to the top of this active volcano on a 5-mile out-and-back.  

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  4. Oh Ryan

    Sure, it’s those whimsical trees that give Joshua Tree National Park its marquee billing; but this beautiful landscape also has surrounding mountains and its night sky—one of the darkest in Southern California and designated an International Dark Sky Park. Joshua Tree has four allowable stargazing parking lots, and a newly opened haven for spending the night nearby...

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