View All
- Northern CA
Summer's Home Stretch
Better late to adventure than never to adventure! 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 adventures done by you, the readers, this summer! Two weeks left: You’ve got this!
VIEW - Northern CA
Camp Last Minute
Want to do a spontaneous camping trip, but you’re assuming all the good sites are booked? Well, maybe not all the good sites. The Bay Area still has some campsite secrets—from first-come, first-served options to lesser-known places where chances of getting a last-minute reservation are pretty good. Happy campers!
VIEW - Southern CA
Sweet Dreams Are Made of These
We’ve all heard it: Winter is coming! But it’s not here yet, so before summer’s out, plan your next getaway for an unforgettable stay! From a fire lookout in Sequoia National Forest to first-come, first-served camping in Yosemite, plus an all-season cabin resort near Tahoe, here are three amazing places to spend the night.
VIEW - Sponsored
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 - Southern CA
Hikes & Beer!
Some hikes just go better when chased by a nice cold beer. Make that: All hikes just go better when chased by a nice cold beer. Have we had a few? You should too! Here are three great hikes close to three great local breweries. Hike, quaff, repeat (the quaff, that is).
VIEW - Northern CA
Wine & Water Adventures
Water you doing this weekend? How about paddling some gentle H2O followed by wine tasting nearby? Here are three ways to go with the California flow.
VIEW - Northern CA
Tahoe Trail Mix
Have you had your mountain fix yet this summer? A trip to Tahoe is always a good idea! From reaching its highest peak to a hike-in swimming hole or a backpacking adventure, here are three trails to tempt your Tahoe taste buds.
VIEW - Southern CA
Eastern Sierra Seclusion
Set at 10,000 feet and surrounded by the alpine wonders of John Muir Wilderness, Rock Creek is an eastern Sierra treasure in the Inyo National Forest. It’s where you can hike among some of the best scenic lakes surrounded by the serrated drama of the Sierra Nevada mountains.
VIEW - Northern CA
Swimming Hole Gold
While Michael Phelps goes for gold at the upcoming Rio Olympics, you can keep your goals more modest: Aim for bronze in belly-flopping! From Placerville to Santa Cruz, here are three swimming holes that top the podium for summer fun.
VIEW - Southern CA
Stairway Hikes to the Sea
It’s no secret that Santa Barbara is home to some of California’s most beautiful beaches—popular and hidden! Take things a step further … make that several steps further, by combining your beach outing with a stairway walk to the sea. Here are three!
VIEW - Northern CA
Midsummer Adventure Montage
It’s the last week of July and you know what that means? We’re halfway through the Adventure Challenge! There’s still plenty of time to participate. Just get out on any 3 Weekend Sherpa adventures and take a photo of yourself. Upload your photos to our Facebook or your Instagram with #WeekendSherpa by September 11 to get your free Marmot T-shirt! Need a few ideas? Here are some adventures!
VIEW - Southern CA
Bonus Sherpa: Lake Adventures
Ready to cool off? From Mammoth to Tahoe to Big Bear and Sequoia, here are a few outstanding ways to hike, bike, backpack or just lounge by some of California's most famous lakes. Better lake than never!
VIEW - Southern CA
Verdugo Views
Next to the San Gabriel Mountains lie the Verdugo Mountains, a small range with wild hiking trails that deliver big on elevation gain, and beautiful panoramas! Verdu-go!
VIEW - Northern CA
Take the Long View
It's summer, no need to have a long face when the days are still long! Grab some friends and head out on a long hike while daylight's still on your side. Go long!
VIEW - Sponsored
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 - Southern CA
Hot for Summer Adventures
Time flies when you're hiking to peaks, kayaking through caves, biking by the sea, and playing disc golf on a mountain! We're almost halfway through our annual Weekend Sherpa Adventure Challenge, but there's still plenty of time left to get your free Weekend Sherpa T-shirt made by Marmot! Need a few ideas? From mountains to sea, here are some great ways to get outdoors this summer!
VIEW - Southern CA
Groovy Hikes in Gaviota
Just 33 miles west of Santa Barbara on Highway 101, Gaviota State Park is wild, windswept, and spectacularly scenic, with marquee hikes highlighted by brilliant vistas, endurance challenges, craggy caves, and hot springs. Get groovy with it!
VIEW - Northern CA
Santa Cruz and Microbrews
Coastal mountain biking, camping in the redwoods, paddling pristine waters, and washing it all down with a tasty beer ... Yes, Santa Cruz is always a good idea for a summer adventure.
VIEW - Southern CA & Northern CA
Yosemite High Points
Ready to take Yosemite to a whole other level? We’ve rounded up three of the best viewpoints you can hike to in the entire park! Now that’s what’s up!
VIEW - Northern CA
Easy Adventures for the Fourth
No big plans for the Fourth? No worries. Whether you'd like to go on a hike, lounge at the beach, check out some redwoods, or just soak in vitamin D, we have you covered.
VIEW - Southern CA
Go Fourth on Adventures
What are you doing this Independence Day weekend? From biking and hiking and sunset strolling, to stand-up paddleboarding or a mountain-high game of disc golf, here are some great ways to go fourth on easygoing adventures!
VIEW - Northern CA
Local Lake Hikes
Lace up the hiking boots and hit the refresh button: the summer sizzle is on! Keep your cool with these lakeside hikes.
VIEW
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).
Get the 2025 POST Hiking CalendarYour Inbox to the Outdoors
Stay up to date with our weekly recommendations on where to explore locally in California.