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  1. Southern CA

    Five Faves for the Long Weekend

    Ahhh the long weekend. The end of summer is near, but you still have a few weeks to complete our Adventure Challenge. Get outdoors and send us some photos in exchange for a custom WS t-shirt, a mountain accessory bag from Topo Designs, and a chance to win a trip for 2 to Reno Tahoe. Need some inspiration? Check out these five fun outdoor escapes.

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  2. Northern CA

    Five Fabulous Adventures for Labor Day

    As the long weekend arrives it’s a reminder that our summer Adventure Challenge is soon coming to a close: there’s just a few weeks left to submit your outdoor adventure pics to us in exchange for a custom WS t-shirt, a mountain accessory bag from Topo Designs, and a chance to win a  trip for 2 to Reno Tahoe. Need some ideas for this weekend? Check out these five fabulous options.

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  3. Northern CA

    Best of Summer

    It's hard to say goodbye...summer days may be coming to a close, but there's still time to get out on some of the season's most popular adventures in Weekend Sherpa. Here's a roundup of some of what you all liked best.

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  4. Redding Ironman Whiskeytown lake
    Sponsored
    2025-12-31

    New Year, New Goal: IRONMAN 70.3 Northern California

    2026 is off and running! And swimming. And biking. Don't get left behind! Commit to one of the upcoming year’s most exciting endurance events—IRONMAN 70.3 Northern California in Redding.

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  5. Southern CA

    Long Live Summer

    Summer isn't over yet. There's still time to do all the things, particularly the ones you seemed to like a lot this season. From our Adventure Challenge to national parks, stargazing, and more, here are some of this summer's greatest hits...still playing....

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  6. Northern CA & Southern CA

    Reno Tahoe Great Eight

    We’re halfway through our 2025 Adventure Challenge, and if you haven’t done so yet, you can still get our custom t-shirt, a Topo Designs mountain accessory bag, and be entered to win a trip for 2 to beautiful Reno Tahoe! Speaking of Reno Tahoe—from peak hikes and waterfalls to bike rides by the lake and craft brew patio pit stops, here are 8 great ways to raise your getaway game.

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  7. Northern CA

    Lakeside Hike-ins and Campsites

    Hiking, lakeside lounging, starry night campsites: that’s some California dreamy. From hike-ins to lakes in El Dorado National Forest and Tahoe, to a first-come, first-served campground in the Sierra Nevada's Lakes Basin, here are three ways to enjoy overnight oasis escapes.

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  8. Southern CA

    Ghost Towns, Gold Towns, and Underground Gardens

    There’s gold and ghosts and underground gardens in them thar California hills! From a less-known Gold Rush town to a more popular one with seasonal ghost tours, and an underground secret garden, here are some ways to have some old-fashioned adventures.

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  9. Northern CA & Southern CA

    Newly Opened at CA National Parks

    What’s new at CA national parks? How about Sequoia’s newly re-opened cave tours; a sulfur spectacle that just opened for the season (and rivals Yellowstone); an overnight escape to “reset” in Joshua Tree; and a new San Francisco picnic space in the Presidio. That’s some good new!

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  10. Northern CA & Southern CA

    Less-Traveled National Park Peak Hikes

    During the peak of summer, tackle some national park peaks that are less-traveled and utterly spectacular. From the largest dome volcano in the world (right here in California!) to the only national park peak in Nevada, plus a Yosemite gem that’s marvelous near sunset, here are three summits to sum up the height of summer.

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  11. Two bike riders are looking out to Lake Perris in Southern California
    Southern CA

    As You Lake It!

    Summer by the lake sounds pretty great, and these three beauties bring something special, from bonus eats to quiet paddles and pedals amid beautiful peaks. Lake expectations met!

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  12. A woman is riding her bike past trees and Lake Almanor in Chester
    Northern CA

    How Do You Lake It?

    Reservoirs and lakes feel like the very definition of summer. Whether you're hiking, biking, camping  or finding a perfect place for a picnic, here are three great places for a fantastic lake escape. 

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  13. Northern CA

    Throwing Shade

    When summer heats hits, these hikes and bike rides throw some shade (the cool kind) thanks to sections of trail with towering firs, redwoods, and eucalyptus trees.

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  14. Woman hiker going down steps to Coast Royale Beach in Orange County, Southern California
    Southern CA

    Beach You To It

    Looking for that quintessential summer bliss? Don't let others beach you to it! These three hike-in havens are sandy havens for the season.

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  15. Redding Ironman Whiskeytown lake
    Sponsored
    2025-12-31

    New Year, New Goal: IRONMAN 70.3 Northern California

    2026 is off and running! And swimming. And biking. Don't get left behind! Commit to one of the upcoming year’s most exciting endurance events—IRONMAN 70.3 Northern California in Redding.

    View
  16. Northern CA & Southern CA

    Go Outside and Get This Custom T-shirt

    Do our 2025 Adventure Challenge! This summer, do ANY 3 activities you find on our website and get our custom t-shirt, a Topo Designs Mountain Accessory Bag and more, as your reward! Want a few quick ideas to get you going? We've got you covered.

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  17. A group of people clamored around the summit marker at Mission Peak in the Bay Area
    Northern CA

    Summer Summits

    Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to reach a summit, any summit; but these three are really great ones (some easy, some more challenging, all banner beautiful). Have a pinnacle summer experience!

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  18. A hiker walks towards Leo Carrillo Beach via a hiking trail in Malibu
    Southern CA

    Sweeping Beauties

    Awaken your sense of wonder on some coastal hikes and bike rides that get you all swept up in gorgeous scenery.

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  19. Northern CA & Southern CA

    The Weekend Sherpa Adventure Challenge Is On!

    It's back! The 2025 Weekend Sherpa Adventure Challenge is on. Get outside and get a complimentary Adventure Challenge t-shirt and Topo Designs mountain accessory bag.

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  20. Explore Big Tree Park in Glendora LA County
    Southern CA

    Glen-Going

    Glendale, Glendora, Glen Powell ... good things come in Glens! From beautiful big fig trees to quiet parks and a peak hike, here are three ways to gain unique perspectives this summer. (Sorry, Glen Powell not actually included.)

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  21. Northern CA

    Bay-Yeah!

    At 400 miles long (and growing!) the Bay Area Ridge Trail will ultimately connect all 9 counties on one continuous trail. Here are three ways to hike sections of this expansive gem, from a new segment, to an urban classic, and a Peninsula refresher.. Bay-yeah!

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  22. Northern CA & Southern CA

    Road Trip Ready

    Now is a good time to start planning a road trip with cabin or camping treasures and a variety of outdoor experiences in California and the West. Here are six ideas to get you inspired and planning.

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Trending Stories NorCal

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  1. A man takes a break at a temple spot on a hike at Dragon Mountain in Milptas

    Dragon Quest

    The newly reopened, 4-mile out-and-back hike at Dragon Mountain in Milpitas mixes the physical with the spiritual for a serene hiking experience.

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  2. Keough's Hot Springs

    Soaking Up History

    When you slide into the soothing water of Keough’s Hot Springs, you’re bathing in a piece of Owens Valley history.

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  3. woman hiking Buck Gulch Falls Novato

    Buck Wild!

    Tucked back beyond the residential ranch-style homes and golf courses of Novato in the North Bay is a wild and wondrous 30-foot waterfall that springs to life in the rainy season. Buck Gulch Falls in Novato’s Ignacio Valley Preserve is in peak flow right now, and it’s a short and Middle-earthy hike to reach it.

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  4. Grover Hot Springs

    State Park Soaker

    Set in an alpine meadow at 6,000 feet and surrounded by the 10,000-foot granite peaks of the Sierra, Grover Hot Springs State Park—just outside the town of Markleeville—has its very own hot springs.

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Trending Stories SoCal

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  1. A woman stands at Dante's View in Death Valley, looking out to Telescope Peak and Manly Lake, Badwater Basin below.

    Sunset Hike at Dante's View

    It’s one of the world’s best places to watch a sunset. Dante’s View is a 5,476-foot vantage of the whole southern basin of Death Valley from the top of the Black Mountains. Right now there's a banner and bonus view of a rare lake formation that appears only after big rains.

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  2. Hot, Wet, and Wild!

    At Wild Willy’s Hot Springs, you can soak up a primeval landscape that’s amazingly close to Mammoth Lakes and Highway 395—it just feels a few geological epochs away.

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  3. Redding Ironman Whiskeytown lake
    Sponsored

    New Year, New Goal: IRONMAN 70.3 Northern California

    2026 is off and running! And swimming. And biking. Don't get left behind! Commit to one of the upcoming year’s most exciting endurance events—IRONMAN 70.3 Northern California in Redding.

    View
  4. Hikers sitting on a large rock slab next to Three Sisters Falls in Cleveland National Forest Southern California near Julian

    Three Sisters

    Good things come in threes at this hike to a lovely trio-tiered waterfall in Cleveland National Forest. The 4.25-mile out-and-back hike rambles among rolling hills, with rocky mountain views as switchbacks take you down to a lush canyon and the falls.

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