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  1. Southern CA

    Garden Mazes and Labyrinths

    Meditative, contemplative, and peaceful, labyrinths and garden mazes make a nice place to take a breather and clear your head. Here are three to discover in Los Angeles and Orange County.

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  2. Northern CA

    Spring-ish

    Weather forecast these days: faux spring! Cloud, cold, chance of rain, maybe some sun…okay, it is only March. But if it’s misty out, there are still some nice hikes that can help you 'weather' the weather. Here are three to consider.

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  3. Group of people gathered around Stephanie Carrie who leads the Tree Tour of LA
    Southern CA

    Time Out in the Trees

    Sometimes it can be hard to see the forest for the trees. But what if you just head out for some tranquility among trees as a simple way to let nature nurture (and inspire) you. From an LA Tree Tour walk to an Arboretum with Sequoias, here are some places for branching out right now.

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  4. Redding Ironman Whiskeytown lake
    Sponsored
    2025-12-31

    New Year, New Goal: IRONMAN 70.3 Northern California

    2026 is off and running! And swimming. And biking. Don't get left behind! Commit to one of the upcoming year’s most exciting endurance events—IRONMAN 70.3 Northern California in Redding.

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  5. Northern CA

    Early Spring Hikes and Bike Rides

    Is it just us, or is it starting to feel like spring? It’s not too soon to get outside and bask in the glory of green hills. These Bay Area hikes and bike rides are refreshed for the new season.

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  6. Southern CA

    Waterfalls, Wildflowers, Wildlife Hikes

    In that mid-stretch between winter and spring some of nature is showcasing its best bling. From a waterfall hike and bloomiful trails to wildlife sanctuaries and wild birds galore, here are some places to find nature’s shoulder season bounties.

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  7. Southern CA

    Points for Perspective

    Points for perspective can come in many forms, whether you just want to wander and ponder in peace, stroll with friends in tranquil places, or gain a spectacular view on a peak hike. Here are a few outdoor ways to take a break and contemplate.

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  8. Northern CA

    Waterfall Hikes in the Redwoods

    Waterfalls, redwoods, oh here we flow! These waterfall hikes in the redwoods are best done after periods of wet weather.

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  9. Northern CA

    Romance Right Quick

    If rain put a damper on your Valentine's plans, we've got some ideas for romance in a pinch this weekend. Here are a few ideas to set the scene with whoever you're sweet on.

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  10. Swan Pedal Boats alight on Echo Park Lake
    Southern CA

    Romance On The Fly

    Caught without a Cupid plan this weekend? When the weather settles, here are a few ideas that might hit the sweet spot for a romantic outing.

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  11. Northern CA

    Planetary Parade

    Planets on parade? The next few weeks will be some of the best for catching clear sight of planetary alignments, either with the naked eye or through the help of telescopes. From campsites to observatories, here are some places for catching a night sky show.

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  12. Southern CA

    See the Planets on Parade

    Look up. Are those planets on parade? Planetary alignments are stars of the night sky show for the next few weeks. Some planets can be seen with the naked eye, others require a telescope. From campsites and lodges to observatories and signature events in dark sky destinations, here are some suggestions for catching a celestial show. 

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  13. Northern CA

    Walks in the Great Artdoors

    Ready to stroll in the great artdoors? These three locales across the Peninsula, San Francisco, and Napa let you explore beautiful art located outdoors, from sculptures and murals to gardens and meadows (with food and drink bonuses, too).

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  14. Southern CA

    Beautiful Desert Hikes

    Has January felt like the long goodbye? Send it off with some desert perspectives, from a challenging hike offering a big point of view to a gem sunset spot and a trio of trails with enchanting scenery.

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  15. Redding Ironman Whiskeytown lake
    Sponsored
    2025-12-31

    New Year, New Goal: IRONMAN 70.3 Northern California

    2026 is off and running! And swimming. And biking. Don't get left behind! Commit to one of the upcoming year’s most exciting endurance events—IRONMAN 70.3 Northern California in Redding.

    View
  16. Northern CA

    Super Sunsets

    These three spots in the North Bay deliver the golden goods. From a newly protected ridge top gem in Tiburon to a less-known knoll on Mount Tam, it’s time to get glowing!

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  17. Woman hiking up canyon wall using wall rings as an assist in Mojave Desert on Hole-in-the-Wall hike
    Southern CA

    Desert Explorations

    Winter is a good time to go exploring in these three deserts, featuring a canyon climb hike with wall rings, a hulking natural bridge, and a premier sunset and stargazing spot.

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  18. Redding

    Redding For You

    New Year, new adventures: Get Redding for a 2025 group getaway. This sunniest city in California is surrounded by Lassen, Shasta, and mountainous Whiskeytown National Recreation Area. Here are a few itineraries that get you up-close animal encounters at Turtle Bay, bike riding by murals, urban food and art, even line dancing lessons at a family-friendly warehouse brew pub. Are you Redding?

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  19. Northern CA

    Try Something New

    Ready to do something new? From beginner-friendly scenic mountain biking, and a superb spot for spying Mavericks' big waves, to a park where you can hike and explore the great artdoors, here are three great ways to kick off 2025.

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  20. Southern CA

    Taking a Time Out

    Given the terrible devastations resulting from the firestorms, we're taking a pause on this week's issue for Southern California. Please stay safe, SoCal. Our thoughts are with all those affected by these fires. Thank you to our first responders and aid organizations.

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  21. woman hiking Mendocino Headland bluffs
    Northern CA

    Bluffing Good Hikes for 2025

    Happy New Year! Plan some time for quiet contemplations and tranquil respites where you can think about 2025 and nurture yourself in nature. Here are three brilliant bluff hikes to find time for peace of mind. 

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  22. Southern CA

    Winter Wanders and Ponders

    Happy New Year! Take a little time out this winter for walks of wonders, and wonderings. Here are some peaceful hikes to do in beautiful nature respites.

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Trending Stories NorCal

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  1. A man takes a break at a temple spot on a hike at Dragon Mountain in Milptas

    Dragon Quest

    The newly reopened, 4-mile out-and-back hike at Dragon Mountain in Milpitas mixes the physical with the spiritual for a serene hiking experience.

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  2. Keough's Hot Springs

    Soaking Up History

    When you slide into the soothing water of Keough’s Hot Springs, you’re bathing in a piece of Owens Valley history.

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  3. woman hiking Buck Gulch Falls Novato

    Buck Wild!

    Tucked back beyond the residential ranch-style homes and golf courses of Novato in the North Bay is a wild and wondrous 30-foot waterfall that springs to life in the rainy season. Buck Gulch Falls in Novato’s Ignacio Valley Preserve is in peak flow right now, and it’s a short and Middle-earthy hike to reach it.

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  4. Grover Hot Springs

    State Park Soaker

    Set in an alpine meadow at 6,000 feet and surrounded by the 10,000-foot granite peaks of the Sierra, Grover Hot Springs State Park—just outside the town of Markleeville—has its very own hot springs.

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Trending Stories SoCal

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  1. A woman stands at Dante's View in Death Valley, looking out to Telescope Peak and Manly Lake, Badwater Basin below.

    Sunset Hike at Dante's View

    It’s one of the world’s best places to watch a sunset. Dante’s View is a 5,476-foot vantage of the whole southern basin of Death Valley from the top of the Black Mountains. Right now there's a banner and bonus view of a rare lake formation that appears only after big rains.

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  2. Hot, Wet, and Wild!

    At Wild Willy’s Hot Springs, you can soak up a primeval landscape that’s amazingly close to Mammoth Lakes and Highway 395—it just feels a few geological epochs away.

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  3. Redding Ironman Whiskeytown lake
    Sponsored

    New Year, New Goal: IRONMAN 70.3 Northern California

    2026 is off and running! And swimming. And biking. Don't get left behind! Commit to one of the upcoming year’s most exciting endurance events—IRONMAN 70.3 Northern California in Redding.

    View
  4. Hikers sitting on a large rock slab next to Three Sisters Falls in Cleveland National Forest Southern California near Julian

    Three Sisters

    Good things come in threes at this hike to a lovely trio-tiered waterfall in Cleveland National Forest. The 4.25-mile out-and-back hike rambles among rolling hills, with rocky mountain views as switchbacks take you down to a lush canyon and the falls.

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