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- Northern CA
7 Wonders of Fall
There are 7 more weekends left in fall, what are you going to do with them all? Here are 7 autumn-magical adventures to keep you out there!
VIEW - Southern CA
Haunted Hikes
Who ghosts there?! You do, if you’re brave enough. Here are three haunting hikes to put you in the Halloween spirit. Bonus: They’re filled with boo-tiful views, too.
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Ride On Time For Fall Color
Ready to roll with the change of seasons? The fall colors are strutting their stuff in forests, by rivers, and in the valleys. Here are three easy car-free bike rides that make for a truly color-fall adventure.
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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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Boo-tiful Views
This Halloween, trade in the haunted houses for a visit to some of the Bay Area’s most famous abandoned battery structures, where interesting new things are found in the shadows and grand views are guaranteed. Boo goes there?!
VIEW - Southern CA
Epic Hikes of Santa Rosa Island
Pearl-white sand beaches, grasslands where horses roam free, a deep slot canyon, and a grove of the country’s rarest pine … Southern California’s Santa Rosa Island is like no other. Grab a windbreaker: Here are three epic hikes for exploring the island’s top wonders.
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Peaks and Valleys
A panoramic peak, a scenic gorge, a camping hideaway … and hardly anyone else on the trails! This fall set your sights on hidden adventures in Cleveland National Forest.
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Autumn Waterfalls
Big waterfalls and fall colors? These three waterfalls outside of Redding are amazing anytime of year, but during autumn you get an extra color-fall adventure!
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Big Bear Beerfest!
Why is it that a trip to the mountains just doesn’t feel right without beer? We don’t really need an answer … we just know that Big Bear is hosting its annual Oktoberfest on weekends throughout October, so you get to combine an authentic German experience with outdoor adventures that are pure California. Oh yeah, we’ll drink (beer) to that. Prost!
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Fleet Feat
In case you haven’t (over)heard: Fleet Week is here! The Blue Angels’ weekend air show features amazing aerial acrobatics over San Francisco Bay, but you might feel like you have to perform some major stunts of your own just to get a good view. Instead, head to any of these places for a little adventure that can also get you some fantastic views of the Blue Angels in action. Sky’s the limit!
VIEW - Southern CA
New Observations
Just when you think you’ve seen it all, Southern California comes up with something new, like some amazing points of view! From urban hikes in Los Angeles and San Diego to a blissful back-bay hike or bike, here are three thoroughly modern observation decks to give you a fresh (and fun!) perspective.
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The Other Sierra
One of California’s best kept secrets is at its best for the next few weeks. The Owens Valley and adjacent Eastern Escarpment are otherworldly: ancient, remote, and rugged. Formed by volcanic and glacial events, this is a land where you’ll adventure among the oldest trees in the world, the highest peak in California, and scenery so stunning it’s been used as cinematic backdrop time and again. Go before the snow and you can enjoy some secluded camping, too!
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South for Scenic Hikes
Birds do it. Whales do it. Maybe they're onto something... Get a jump start on the migration by heading to the South Bay for some start-of-fall hikes. (Update: on Monday, September 26 a wildfire broke out in the Santa Cruz Mountains of southern Santa Clara County and has been spreading, so these hikes are not advisable at this time.)
VIEW - Southern CA
Rise to the East
The next few weeks are some of the best of times to visit one of California’s best kept secrets. Ancient, rugged, and remote, Owens Valley and the adjacent Eastern Escarpment are the otherworldy flipside to the well-trodden Western Sierras … a visual passage of ancient volcanic and glacial occurrences, a place of cinematic history, a land where superlatives properly apply as you adventure among the oldest trees in the world and the highest peak in California. Go before the snow and snag some great camping, too!
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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 - Northern CA
Full Moon Adventures
There's a full moon this weekend—ready to get your shine on? From a sublime paddle to a do-it-yourself or group-led night hike, here are three ways to adventure under the North Bay's moonlight.
VIEW - Southern CA
Falling for Santa Barbara
School’s back in session, autumn is hinting, and you want a quick weekend getaway that's easygoing and beautiful. From hikes to cruiser bikes and a basecamp that's pure glamp, here’s how to shoulder the season Santa Barbara style.
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Adventure Channel
Remote, wild, and totally enchanting, Channel Islands National Park, nicknamed “the Galapagos of California,” is an undeveloped, far less traveled archipelago off the coast of Ventura in Southern California. Make a date to explore this once lost world by adventuring all across the largest of its five islands—Santa Cruz.
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Stairway Walks in LA
Who wants to take the stairs? Explore some of LA's hidden neighborhoods and small parks while getting great views along the way. You are the stair master!
VIEW - Southern CA
Fall Classics of Southern California
The orange crush of autumn is here. From stunning sunsets to hikes showcasing the warm hues and pumpkin comforts of harvest, here are some SoCal classics worth falling for.
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Fall Hikes in the Bay Area
Who says there are no fall colors in the Bay Area? Here are few hikes for hue to do!
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Summer Wind Down
Game face. There’s just two weeks left to complete the Weekend Sherpa Adventure Challenge 2016—all you have to do is get outdoors, then pick up your free t-shirt made by Marmot, along with other cool stuff. To give you some ideas, we’ve rounded up the most popular outdoor adventures done by you, the readers, this summer! Two weeks left: You’ve got this!
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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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