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  1. 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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  2. Northern CA

    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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  3. Northern CA

    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.)

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  4. Sponsored
    2025-02-19

    Live the SLO Life

    This year, live the SLO life. San Luis Obispo charms with its friendly vibe, Mediterranean climate, and fun adventures both in town and along the Central Coast.

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  5. 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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  6. 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.

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  7. 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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  8. Northern CA

    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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  9. Southern CA

    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!

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  10. 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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  11. Northern CA

    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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  12. Southern CA

    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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  13. 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!

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  14. 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!

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  15. Sponsored
    2025-02-19

    Live the SLO Life

    This year, live the SLO life. San Luis Obispo charms with its friendly vibe, Mediterranean climate, and fun adventures both in town and along the Central Coast.

    View
  16. 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.

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  17. 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).

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  18. 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.

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  19. 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.

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  20. 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.

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  21. 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.

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  22. 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!

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Trending Stories NorCal

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  1. Napa's Art of the Matter

    Downtown Napa uncorks more than just excellent wine. Art has firmly established itself along the walkways and parkways in the area, punctuated by an annual ArtWalk (year-round) and a temporary Lighted Art Festival.

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  2. Tamtastic Sunset

    Sure, the East Peak of Mount Tam is absolutely spectacular at sunset, but some magic-hour enthusiasts are onto a fresh perspective in getting a little more personal space for their panoramic viewings.

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  3. Golden Mile

    Dubbed the Golden Mile, this car-free stretch of road in Golden Gate Park features rotating art installations of murals, sculptures, and abundant bright yellow Adirondack chairs for kicking back to relax.

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  4. Hike Artdoors

    Add a little color to your new year. This 3-mile loop through the Montalvo Arts Center mixes the beauty of the natural world with local artists’ creations.

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Trending Stories SoCal

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  1. Animal Encounters

    Located where Redding’s famous Sundial Bridge overlooks the Sacramento River, Turtle Bay Exploration Park is 300 acres of gardens, a museum and playground, aquarium, and unforgettable up-close animal encounters!

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  2. Sundialed

    Redding is home to one of the world’s most famous pedestrian-only bridges—the Sundial Bridge was created by the Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava (its sister bridges are in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Seville, Spain). The glass-deck bridge across the Sacramento River is a true sundial....

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  3. View from Keys View Joshua Tree

    Trio of Trails

    Get into Joshua Tree National Park Park early and hit the classic circuit of short trails before the crowds arrive. We also have some food and overnight recos.

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  4. White Tank Campground for Stargazing

    Heaven for star buffs: the best campground in Joshua Tree National Park for night-sky viewing, in a place named an International Dark Sky Park, with a full-on observatory just minutes away! White Tank Campground is at 3,800 feet in the eastern part of the park.

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