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1. 
   Southern CA

   Sepulveda's Secrets

   Thousands of motorists catch a glimpse of LA’s Sepulveda Dam while madly weaving through the interchange of the 405 and 101 freeways, but few know that it's publicly accessible by foot and bike trails, with some movie mojo, too. Step outside for some Sepulveda Basin!

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2. 
   Southern CA

   Welcome to the New Weekend Sherpa

   Mugu Magic Set on the coast between Oxnard and Malibu, Point Mugu State Park is dressed to impress. Make a date with its namesake peak on a 5-mile (round-trip) summit-bagging hike.   Joshua's Wild Side Joshua Tree National Park is wild in more ways than its gnarly trees. Hike the park's west side for a big-picture vantage of the desertscape. The 6.7-mile Lost Horse Mine loop is both eerie and beautiful.   Crystal Ball Crystal Cove State Park in Orange County is prized for its glistening beaches, but there's also 2,400 acres of backcountry, including a 9-mile hike (or mountain bike) to a high point that rewards with gorgeous coastal scenery.   LA Stairway Urban hiking has a wild side, and the proof is just northeast of downtown LA. This 4-mile loop traverses Mount Washington and includes a cardio climb up a mountain with stunning views.   Bigger and Boulder From afar, Stoney Point Park in Simi Valley looks like a real-life drip sandcastle. Get right into it though and find a park filled with hidden caves and alcoves only nature could design.   The Great Ascot! Sometimes the skyline's the limit, and that's a good thing if you're visiting Ascot Hills Park, an 83-acre LA respite that offers a winter sunset to remember.   Lava & Java Mojave National Preserve's got more than a few ways to get your adrenaline pumping, so go with the flow—or rather, go where the lava once flowed.

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3. 
   Northern CA

   Welcome to the New Weekend Sherpa

   Kirby Calling Just west of the Golden Gate Bridge in Marin is one of the bay's most secluded beaches for barbecuing and beach lounging.   Peak of the Devil At 2,369 feet, Mount Diablo's Eagle Peak is not as high as its main peak, but the 3-mile (one-way) adventure to reach it is much more enticing.   Whale a Minute! Mori's got mojo for whale watching! Thanks to its exposed promontory, Pacifica's Mori Point is an ideal spot for spying gray whales during migrations.   Nice Ride Ready to stop spinning your wheels with the same old routine in Sonoma and Napa? Shift gears by taking this leisurely 30-mile road ride through the Carneros region.   Hot Tomales! The 9-mile (round-trip) hike to Tomales Point in Point Reyes is a classic, and one of California's best, with outstanding views, wildlife sightings, and an oceanfront setting.   Yes Sur! A hidden coastal hike in Big Sur, a beautiful beach, and maybe a little wine-tasting afterwards? Here's the plan.   Hike & Bike an Island Car-free Angel Island State Park has a rich history, hidden south-facing beach, and ridiculously scenic picnic and campsites. Experience it in a nutshell on an 8-mile bike-and-hike adventure.

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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. 
   Northern CA

   Chasing Waterfalls

   The reservoirs are reaching their peak, the hills are electric green, and the waterfalls are in show-off mode. Hit the trail and chase these waterfalls!

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6. 
   Southern CA

   Best of Big Bear's Winter Hikes

   A classic adventureland nestled in the San Bernardino Mountains, Big Bear is the definition of a winter wanderland. Explore by strapping on some snowshoes or good snow boots (and bring some poles). Big Bear hug!

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7. 
   Northern CA

   H2 Flows!

   With all this wild weather, you've just gotta go with the flow. And go to the flow! Here are three waterfalls to check out after winter rains. H2-Oh!

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8. 
   Northern CA

   Spring Classics

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9. 
   Southern CA

   Spring Classics

   Wash away winter's cobwebs hiking through wildflowers, overnighting in a yurt, or climbing high in Joshua Tree!

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10. 
    Southern CA

    Kiss the Frog

    This Valentine's Day weekend, go ahead and kiss the Frog. Frogtown, that is! Running alongside the diverse and enigmatic Los Angeles River, this refreshingly relaxed part of LA is home to sweeping green spaces, breathtaking views, and plenty of options for sweet adventures.

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11. 
    Northern CA

    Romancing the Snow

    Make some snow hearts with your sweetheart in Tahoe this weekend. Here are three snowshoe hikes worth swooning over. Ready, set, snowshoe!

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12. 
    Southern CA & Northern CA

    SLO Jam

    Ahhh, winter on the Central Coast. Fewer crowds, amazing outdoors, and some wine to top it all off. Adventure, unwind, and take it SLO.

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13. 
    Northern CA

    SLO Jam

    Ahhh, winter on the Central Coast. Fewer crowds, amazing outdoors, and some wine to top it all off. Adventure, unwind, and take it SLO.

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14. 
    Northern CA

    Backdoor Marin

    So close, so wild, and sometimes so popular! Marin packs plenty of secrets, you just have to know which door to open. Here are a few less traveled hikes. Knock, knock!

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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

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16. 
    Southern CA

    Winter Cruise

    Grab your bike and get out there for a body-warming spin in winter's cooler temps. These three routes serve up spectacular scenery with everything from easy cruising to challenging climbs. And ice cream, too!

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17. 
    Northern CA

    Storm Troopers!

    When El Niño's storms are pounding the coast, don't run for shelter, run for the trails! Here are three trails that offer great vantages of the approaching storms, and are short enough to retreat if there’s a downpour!

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18. 
    Southern CA

    Winter Sands

    Some winter wonderlands are filled with sand. Here are three great ways to celebrate winter with secluded beaches, lively tide pools, and sunset bonuses.

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19. 
    Northern CA

    Make Your Winter Escape

    Bodega Sunset Sensation! Tiny Bodega Head has long lured visitors to its dramatic cliff-above-ocean setting and excellent vantages for spotting migrating gray whales. Hike here on a winter day right before sunset and you'll be treated to fewer crowds and a glorious technicolor dream show, powered by nature. National Treasure The 1,665-acre Point Arena–Stornetta Public Lands were last year designated as part of the California Coastal National Monument by President Barack Obama. This Mendocino County gem is a spectacular place to hike along bluffs overlooking small coves, sea caves, and offshore islands. It's also a prime whale-watching spot. Beach Stroll with Your Best Friend Long walks on the beach, in the East Bay? Indeed. Alameda's Crown Memorial Beach is a relaxing stretch of sand that's an impressive 2.5 miles long, and it's dog-friendly too! Nice and New Hike through some stunning canyons studded with ancient oaks and opening up to huge views at the newly opened Mindego Gateway trailhead in Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve. Warm Bath and a Waterfall Hike What's better than hiking to a waterfall? How about relaxing afterward in a warm mineral bath? Do both at Ukiah's Vichy Springs! BONUS: National Parks are waiving their entrance fees on Monday, January 18, in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

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20. 
    Southern CA

    Winter Wonder Hikes

    Summit and Sip: Secluded at 1,500 feet in the Santa Monica Mountains, Tuna Canyon Park is quiet even on a weekend afternoon. This 3.8-mile (round-trip) hike to the preserve's western viewpoint has wowing views up the coast of Malibu. Sip Tip: There's a nearby wine tasting room with food trucks too. The Big Wild: Get a highlight reel of all that's wild and wondrous in Southern California on an 11-mile (round-trip) loop hike in Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park. Park It Beer: One of the best views of the downtown skyline is in Vista Hermosa Park, just a mile from the heart of the city, yet an oasis world away with a meandering trail. There's a Beer Bonus, too! Insta-View: Reaching a stunning peak vista in under a mile? If it sounds too good to be true, you haven't been to Ventura County's Camarillo Grove Park. Free for You and Me: National Parks are waiving their entrance fees on Monday, January 18, in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

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21. 
    Northern CA

    New Trails and Views

    Happy New Year! Out with the old, in with the new: Here are three adventures throughout the Bay Area that feature something all new, and ready for you!

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22. 
    Southern CA

    Big Wild Hikes

    Happy New Year! Get started on an adventurous 2016 with any (or all!) of these three epic hikes, featuring peaks, marshland, a cave, a labyrinth, some scrambling, and classic coastal scenery.

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