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1. 
   Northern CA

   Sierra Splash!

   Squeeze out the last drops of summer! Hike to a hidden lake with campsites, find a hidden swim hole, or visit a really tall waterfall: Eldorado National Forest has some refreshing adventures for a cool season finale!

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2. 
   Southern CA

   Paddle Tales

   Ignore those back-to-school sales—summer lives on! Want proof? Try any or all of these amazing river and lake journeys. Our own LA River is open for whitewater business through September. So is the mighty Kern, where the thrills are somewhat bigger. And up north, take a tip from two million savvy water birds—Mono Lake and its rococo tufa towers are amazing!

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3. 
   Northern CA

   Fall Hikes in Northern California

   Who says there are no fall colors in California? Here are few hikes for hue to do!

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4. 
   Sponsored

   2025-04-09

   Weekend in Reno Tahoe

   Weekend plans? Reno Tahoe! Just a few hours by car or a short flight away, Reno Tahoe springs to the moment with great ways to combine adventure and relaxation in its beautiful mountains-meets-desert setting.

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5. 
   Southern CA

   The Lake Effect

   There’s something special about a freshwater lake—something that conjures memories while at the same time creating wonderful new ones. We can paddle, swim, hike, bike, explore, pitch a tent, and basically feel like we’re back in summer camp (minus certain hijinks). Best of all, we can cool off as the hottest days of summer approach. Here are three favorites, each tucked into a nearby mountain range within a couple of hours of the big city!

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6. 
   Northern CA

   Secrets of the Sonoma Coast

   Wild, rugged, ripe with Pacific scenery, and relaxing—going coastal doesn’t get more classic than a visit to the north Sonoma Coast. From quiet beaches to less-traveled trails, and a hidden canvas tent “glamp” stay, here’s how to adventure on this stretch of coast.

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7. 
   Northern CA

   Tahoe's Secluded Waters

   Keep Tahoe Blue. Keep Spooner Special. Keep Shealor Stunning. We'd like to add a couple of declarative bumper stickers to the mix. The Lake Tahoe area has some secrets to its namesake jewel, and other watery gems worth exploring.

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8. 
   Southern CA

   Meteor Shower Showtime!

   A single shooting star is a thrill. Imagine nearly one a minute! That’s typical of the annual Perseid meteor shower, which will be at its peak this weekend. We have just the places to go to be awed—dark skies and cool campgrounds within an hour or two of the SoCal metropolis. A waning gibbous moon rises Saturday night around 11:45 p.m., which will wash out some of the shooters. But you’ll see plenty before then, and the brightest ones don’t care about moonlight! Even if you can’t make the big show this weekend, these are wonderful spots for star trekking or walks in the moonlight any time of year.

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9. 
   Southern CA

   Summer's Coolest Adventures

   Some of summer's coolest adventures include lakes, reservoirs, and the ocean ... from kayaking to a hidden beach to easygoing coastal hikes with quiet sands, here are some cool ways to top off the season.

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10. 
    Northern CA

    Peak of Summer

    Summer's one of the best times to bag a peak. Whether you're looking to go long and high, or keep it short and mellow, here are some of the best ways to top off the season.

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11. 
    Southern CA

    Hikes to Holy Sites

    Nature itself is soothing and healing. Adding a visit to a beautifully situated spiritual shrine makes for a hike that will calm the most jangled nerves. Ring a peace bell. Admire the country’s largest Buddhist pagoda. Chant a quiet om in an oak-filled canyon. Here are three outings that are quiet counters to the prevailing noise. Namaste.

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12. 
    Northern CA

    Redwood Roamin'

    High, mighty, old: Redwoods are always in season, but there’s no time like in the height of summer heat to visit these towering beauties that are as cool as they are cooling. Take your pick: East Bay, South Bay, North Bay ... here are three places to get your redwoods fix.

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13. 
    Southern CA & Northern CA

    Road Trip to Spectacular!

    Is it the wide-open two-lane highways? The galloping mountain ranges? The wily local characters? We don’t know. But we do know that Nevada makes for a hell of a great road trip! From the bling of Vegas to perhaps the best hidden-gem national park in the country, with state parks and slot canyons in between, here’s your adventure itinerary for a Nevada road trip to remember.

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14. 
    Northern CA

    Go Long!

    It's the middle of summer and we live in California... that's cause for celebration, right? Enjoy the sunny season on a long and beautiful hike in the Peninsula and South Bay. We have a few to get you going!

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15. 
    Sponsored

    2025-04-09

    Weekend in Reno Tahoe

    Weekend plans? Reno Tahoe! Just a few hours by car or a short flight away, Reno Tahoe springs to the moment with great ways to combine adventure and relaxation in its beautiful mountains-meets-desert setting.

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16. 
    Southern CA

    Cool Canyon Hikes

    Sure, nabbing a SoCal summit earns you bragging rights, but sometimes the real action is in our canyons! Think secret swimming holes, squeeze-through sandstone clefts, and verdant shady places filled with birdsong. These three canyon hikes deliver those and other surprising pleasures, plus some astounding views along the way. Go peak-bagging another day—this week, think deep thoughts. Think canyons!

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17. 
    Northern CA

    Adventures + Brunch

    Slip into the weekend with an easygoing outdoor adventure, followed by some tasty eats. Here are a brunch of ideas!

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18. 
    Southern CA

    Semisecret Strands

    Secret beaches is a relative term for SoCal. But there are a few where even in the height of summer you can find a bit of serenity. If you favor swimming and strolling over seeing and being seen, make for one of these strands.

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19. 
    Northern CA

    Fourth-coming Adventures!

    1) Who Wants Seconds? America is full of second chances. And that’s a very good thing when it comes to Redwood Regional Park in Oakland. Here majestic redwoods have been given a second chance after the originals were logged long ago... 2) Land of the Lakes Dozens of high alpine lakes, spiky granite peaks, hiking trails galore… The Lakes Basin (about 90 minutes northwest of Tahoe) is a sublime Sierra basecamp with a laid back vibe. Take a weekend to explore this high-country wonderland... 3) Let's Have a Little Funston San Francisco’s Fort Funston is best known for its enormous, super dog-friendly beach as well as its cliff-clinging takeoff point for hang gliders. But it’s also a terrific place to go on a 1.5-mile scenic beach stroll...   [sponsored-story] 4) Half Moon Highroller For an easy bike ride with enormous coastal views, head a few miles south of Half Moon Bay. The Cowell-Purisima Trail stretches for 3 sea-breezy miles along high coastal bluffs... 5) Point Reyes Grand Slam Wildflowers, hidden beaches, coastal forests, babbling creeks and awesome Pacific views are just a few of the things that make Point Reyes a world-class hiking destination. With so much to see, which hike should a person do? Do the one that’s got it all!.. 6) The Carson Show Carson Falls is ready for primetime. This three-tiered, 100-foot stunner is hidden back in a canyon outside of Fairfax and reached on a 3.25-mile (round-trip) hike. The start of the hike is on a wide-open dirt fire road that offers up southern views of Mount Tam’s East Peak... 7) Do the 2017 Weekend Sherpa Adventure Challenge! The Weekend Sherpa Adventure Challenge is back for its sixth year! Don’t let the name intimidate you: it’s free and easy to participate. Just get outdoors over the next few months and take a photo of yourself in action! And we’re excited to be teaming up with Line 39—their wines are the perfect partner to weekend adventures...

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20. 
    Southern CA

    Wave the Adventure Flag!

    Parades, barbecues, fireworks, and time off! This 4th of July weekend, wave the flag of patriotism and celebrate by getting outdoors to explore our great golden state. From first-come, first-served camping, to hikes and paddles to keep your cool, here are some top ways to ensure that the fourth is with you!

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21. 
    Southern CA

    Long Lasting Hikes

    One of our favorite things about summer? Light! Make the most of longer days with any of these three longer hikes, from an iconic rock formation to a lesser known peak, and an island traverse perfect for a quick backpacking escape. Long may you roam!

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22. 
    Northern CA

    Coastal Classics

    Ready for some coasting? From a bluffside bike ride in Half Moon Bay to a coast-hugging hike on Mount Tam, here are three coastal adventures that are classics to celebrate summer.

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