The Great Artdoors

Next time you want an art, history, and culture fix step outside for a hike. There are some beautiful places in SoCal to wander and see interesting, inspiring, and educational works, from murals and sculptures to installations and tasty food and drink bonuses. Head for the great artdoors.

Week: 02.16.2022
Regions: Southern CA

Treasures in Watts

See the famous Watts Towers in Simon Rodia State Historic Park

Woman looking at the Watts Towers in LA County
The famous Watts Towers are an outdoor sculpture exhibit and an homage to the spirited and diverse history of Watts, from city revitalization and riots, to racial unity and community resilience.
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Channel Islands for a Change

Explore Channel Islands and Ventura County Coast

Channel Island Island Packers
Channel Island Island Packers
Dolphins Channel Islands
There’s no better time to visit California’s Channel Islands National Park. Located 25 miles off Ventura County Coast, this series of five distinct and spectacular islands is reached by a fun ferry ride often filled with wildlife sightings.
Outdoor Lover's Guide to Ventura County Coast

Beach Walk + Cambodia Town

Take a Walk on Long Beach and See the Mural Art in Cambodia Town

Woman standing an looking at mural wall art in Cambodia Town Long Beach Los Angeles
Woman standing at a mural welcoming here to Cambodia Town in Long Beach
Woman walking along the sidewalk at Long Beach in Los Angeles County
Woman walking alongside poppies at Long Beach in Los Angeles County
A trip to Long Beach is not complete without a … long walk on the beach. But add a little extra with a walk through Cambodia Town, featuring local murals and delicious food.
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Noah's Art

Visit Noah Purifoy Outdoor Desert Musueum near Joshua Tree

Noah Purifoy Desert Museum of Assemblage Sculpture in Joshua Tree
Welcome sign at Noah Purifoy Outdoor Museum in Joshua Tree
Brochure used to do self guide tour of the Noah Purifoy Desert Museum near Joshua Tree National Park
Person standing under giant arcing art sculpture at Noah Purifoy Desert Museum near Joshua Tree
Noah Purifoy Desert Museum of Assemblage Sculpture is an outdoor museum near Joshua Tree National Park, with a mosaic of items transformed into works of art. Go on a self-guided tour to view over 30 assemblage sculptures.
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Grand Central Circuit

Urban Hike With Art and Food Highlights in Los Angeles

Urban art and food hike in Los Angeles
Go on a 2.5-mile urban hike in Los Angeles that has it all: the beautiful Aoyama Tree, amazing murals, the Angels Flight funicular, and a stop at LA's vibrant food arcade, Grand Central Market.
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Suspension Bridge Surprise

Urban Hike to Spruce Street Suspension Bridge in San Diego

Urban Hike in San Diego to Spruce Street Suspension Bridge
This urban hike in San Diego connects two gardens by way of two spectacular bridges, including the awesome Spruce Street Suspension Bridge built in 1912.
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Trending Stories NorCal

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  1. Bear Hug

    This 5.5-mile loop through Coyote Lake-Harvey Bear Ranch County Park explores one of the newest segments of the acclaimed Bay Area Ridge Trail, one redolent with trees ranging from madrone and manzanita to buckeye and blue elderberry (with a bubbly post-hike bonus).

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  2. Field of Light at Sensorio in Paso Robles

    Light This Way

    Hidden in the bucolic hills of Paso Robles lies one of the greatest light shows on earth. The lighted art exhibition, Sensorio, is as if the rainbow magic of the aurora borealis was plucked from the sky and planted in the fields.

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  3. Bikers and walkers on the Bay Area Ridge Trail with the Golden Gate Bridge behind them

    National Park City Walk

    See San Francisco the way locals do by hiking the Presidio, a national park right in the city! Wooded trails, secluded beaches, and epic views of the Golden Gate Bridge feature on this 5.5-mile out-and-back on the Bay Area Ridge Trail. It’s a lovely slice of the City by the Bay.

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  4. Bucks Up!

    Come on in, the water is beautiful. Whether you like swimming, kayaking, stand-up paddling, or heading out on a bigger boat, Bucks Lake is a high mountain haven that’s easy to access, blissfully uncrowded, and surrounded by sandy beaches, picnic areas, pines, and aspens.

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  1. Coming Up Roses

    Looking to spice up your hiking life? Give your partner a rose—Mount Rose! The 10-mile out-and-back peak hike goes up to one of the grandest views in all of Lake Tahoe. Get ready f

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  2. Two kayakers on Upper Klamath Basin on tour with Sky Lakes Wilderness Adventures

    Zen & the Art of Kayaking

    It’s the most meditative and relaxing experience you’ll ever have on a kayak. Yes, you read that right, a Zen experience on a kayak. It all happens in beautiful Klamath County when you head out on a guided tour with Sky Lakes Wilderness Adventures.

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  3. Lake Nacimiento
    Sponsored

    Savor Summer in Paso Robles

    Ready for the “Great California Road Trip”? Keep it real and rolling in bucolic and beautiful Paso Robles. This down- to-earth destination has everything you need to enjoy the coolest experiences.

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  4. A Rose in the Pines

    A crackling fire, a bottle of wine, a bubbling Jacuzzi tub with a waterfall … now the big question: Marvin Gaye tunes or not? In the morning (ahem) it's breakfast in bed and a leis

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