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  1. Northern CA

    Walking SF

    While other people are Uber-ing to brunch in the city this weekend, lace up your shoes and go for an urban hike! We’ve scouted a few walks going through San Francisco's iconic parks and neighborhoods, with a little art along the way.

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  2. Northern CA

    Beach You to It

    Things getting a tad warm out there? Better head for the coast! Choose from a classic headlands hike, a cabin on the wild Mendocino coast, or cruising Half Moon Bay by kayak … here are three ways to have some cool NorCal adventures this Indian Summer!

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  3. Southern CA

    Practically Tropical

    Sure, Hawaii and Mexico have great snorkeling. But so do our local waters! Garibaldi! (Check.) Leopard sharks! (Harmless.) Even eels! (Ditto.) And with SoCal open water at its warmest during the first two weeks of September—typically in the low 70s—now's the best time to go. In other words: no wetsuit, no problem. Go float and ogle our treasures as if you were on vacay in some tropical paradise.

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  4. Sponsored
    2026-02-02

    Warm Up to Winter in Reno Tahoe

    2026 is just getting started, but there’s one place already rising to the top as the best for adventure and relaxation: Reno Tahoe. The awe—and ahhhs—begin as soon as you arrive. G

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  5. Southern CA

    Adventure Ready Weekend

    Winter is coming. Good thing summer's still going! Squeeze out every last drop this long weekend with some exciting outdoor adventures. Game on.

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  6. Northern CA

    Summer's Home Stretch

    Labor Day weekend signals the last days of summer: Get out there and make the most of it! Here are some adventures for giving summer one last squeeze.

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  7. Northern CA

    Bay Area's Best Indian Summer Beaches

    Don't give up on summer just yet. Hit any of these sandy sanctuaries to make the season last!

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  8. Southern CA

    Once and For Fall

    Who says SoCal doesn't get all the seasons? All it takes is a little perspective. From peak hikes to urban wanders, here are some hikes to fall for this season.

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  9. 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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  10. 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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  11. 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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  12. 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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  13. 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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  14. 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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  15. Sponsored
    2026-02-02

    Warm Up to Winter in Reno Tahoe

    2026 is just getting started, but there’s one place already rising to the top as the best for adventure and relaxation: Reno Tahoe. The awe—and ahhhs—begin as soon as you arrive. G

    View
  16. 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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  17. 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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  18. 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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  19. 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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  20. 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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  21. 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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  22. 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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Trending Stories NorCal

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  1. Cinematic Sonoma

    Longer days. Golden light. Wildflowers in bloom. It’s the perfect moment to plan your spring escape to Sonoma for the Sonoma International Film Festival, March 25–29. No fuss. No sprawl. Just films, friends, fresh air, and that unmistakable Sonoma glow.

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  2. Hike Pescadero Marsh Natural Preserve

    Mellow in the Marsh

    Beach, birds, ice plant popping purple flowers: That’s a hiking slam dunk! Hike about 2 miles at Pescadero Marsh Natural Preserve using their easy to navigate (well-signed) Sequoia Audubon Trail.

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  3. A man is looking through his binoculars at sunrise at the Bayland Nature Preserve in Palo Alto

    Baylands Bird & Art Loop

    Combine an outdoor art walk and wildlife sightings at the Baylands Nature Preserve in Palo Alto. This 5-mile loop through Byxbee Park and the Emily Renzel Wetlands features striking installations by artists Peter Richards and Michael Oppenheimer—where the landscape itself becomes part of the canvas.

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  4. Big Burdell!

    If you’re gonna go big on a hike, make it at Marin County’s biggest open space preserve, Mount Burdell. And go to the summit. You’ll be sharing the trail with grazing cows, seasonal poppies, and beautiful birds on this 5-mile (round-trip) adventure.

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Trending Stories SoCal

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  1. Sponsored

    Warm Up to Winter in Reno Tahoe

    2026 is just getting started, but there’s one place already rising to the top as the best for adventure and relaxation: Reno Tahoe. The awe—and ahhhs—begin as soon as you arrive. G

    View

  2. Eat, Sleep, Beach, Repeat

    For an ultra-relaxing getaway where you can sit back and soak in some nature and nurture, head to Mendocino and follow this eat, beach, sleep, repeat itinerary (you won't regret it!) ...

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  3. This Skunk Doesn’t Stink!

    All aboard for a ride through history—and through air scented with redwood, dewy ferns, forest-fresh breeze, and a bonus snack and beverage bar, fire pit, and short hike. The World-Famous Skunk Train delivers in every category: scenery, greenery, and towering redwoods.

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  4. A woman standing at the pond's edge at Ernest B Debs Regional Park in Los Angeles. Trees are making reflections on the pond.

    Urban Oasis Loop

    Home to the city’s Audubon Center, Ernest E. Debs' 282-acre park features a robust network of hiking trails and surprising wildlife diversity. More than 140 bird species have been spotted here. Birdwatcher or not, this 2.5-mile route makes for a gorgeous outing.

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