Just in Time for the Holidays

Get into the holiday spirit on these classic Bay Area outings that are like a yule log for your soul.

Week: 12.19.2019

Regions: Northern CA

Dreamy Drake

Hike to Sunset Beach at Drake's Estero in Point Reyes

Drake’s Estero is smack in the middle of Point Reyes. Take a sweet hike with savory surroundings all the way out to Sunset Beach.

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Whale, Hello There!

Whale Watching at San Gregorio State Beach on the San Mateo Coast

Peninsula & South Bay

Water, Hikes, Relaxing

Blissfully quiet on winter mornings, San Gregorio State Beach on the San Mateo Coast is ideal for spying gray whales.

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Banner Briones

East Bay Hike to Epic Views in Briones Regional Park

Hikes, Dog Friendly

Hike Briones Regional Park in the East Bay

There’s a challenging 3.9-mile hike at Briones Regional Park where the reward is some of the East Bay’s best views.

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A Hiker looking over a mountain range

A Hiker looking over a mountain range

Your Inbox to the Outdoors

Stay up to date with our weekly recommendations on where to explore locally in California.

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Walk on the Wise Side
A wise man once said, “Walk it off.” And San Francisco has just the place for a colorful walk via a 2.7-mile loop along Philosopher’s Way Trail in the 318-acre John McLaren Park (S
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Headlands Over Heels
People come from all over the world to get a glimpse of the Golden Gate Bridge. Get a dramatic and novel view of the bridge without all the people on this moderate 6-mile hike in the Marin Headlands.
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Greater by the Dozen
This hike is anything but a dime a dozen. The all-new "Golden Gate Dozen Trail" links 12 National Park sites on a spectacular 13-mile journey across San Francisco's coastline.
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Cheers to Chimney
If you’re looking for all that Point Reyes has to offer in spring, Chimney Rock is the place to be. The 1.75-mile (round-trip) hike to Chimney may be short, but it packs a visual punch, quadrupling the viewing thrills during spring.
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Can We Get a Whoop Whoop!
City, mountain, and ocean views all in one hike? Whoop whoop! It’s no surprise the the Kenter Fire Road and Whoop-de-Doos Trail (a combo of fire road and singletrack) is a favorite among local mountain bikers and hikers alike.
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The Big Chill
In LA, finding a place to chill can be the ultimate flex. So flex, in Franklin Canyon! This unexpected oasis has plenty of shade, cool lake breezes, and ample picnicking spots. Enjoy it on an easy-going 1-mile stroll along its reservoir and duck pond.
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Holcomb We Haven't Camped Here?
Holcomb Valley Campground in the San Bernardino National Forest has 19 pine-shaded sites, all of them first-come, first-served.
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Waterfall Hunter
If you ask a local in Reno about one of the best hiking trails in town, odds are high they’ll point you to Hunter Creek Falls. It’s a year-round favorite, but it absolutely shines in spring, when desert peach wildflowers make a splash—and so does the marquee waterfall.
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