Two people at the water basin of the historic Brown Mountain Dam in Angeles National Forest Southern California

Water Hikes

Summer in SoCal—hot, and dry right now, due to drought. Fortunately, LA’s still got some treasured and less-known waterworks for chilling out. Here are three to visit and appreciate.

Week: 07.13.2021
Regions: Southern CA

Dam Cool!

Hike to the Historic Brown Mountain Dam in the Angeles National Forest

Historic Brown Mountain Dam in Angeles National Forest Southern California
Man standing at the edge of the water at the historic Brown Mountain Dam in Southern California
Two men wading into the water basin of historic Brown Mountain Dam in Southern California
Hikers descending into a canyon in the Angeles National Forest Southern California
Head to the accessible southwest section of the Angeles National Forest, where you’ll find a hike to the historic Brown Mountain Dam. Few hikers, one refreshing reward!
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Summer's Must Sea

Marine Wildlife and Easy Adventures at Monterey Bay Aquarium

Monterey Bay Aquarium
whale watch Monterey
kids at Monterey Bay Aquarium
The newly reopened Monterey Bay Aquarium never misses a “Best of” list—for good reason. The Aquarium’s location right on the shores of Monterey Bay, with waves crashing below the decks, is a mesmerizing experience.
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Crystal Ball

Hike and Camp at Crystal Lake Recreation Area in the Angeles National Forest

Woman staring out at Crystal Lake in Crystal Lake Recreation Area in Angeles National Forest Southern California
Find the magical snow-, rain-, and spring-fed Crystal Lake perched at 5,539 feet in the center of the Angeles National Forest. There's camping too. And it's first-come, first-served!
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Haines Your Way

Hike Haines Canyon Debris Basin in the San Gabriels

Haines Canyon Debris Basin in the San Gabriels Southern California
Hiker and dog on a trail in Haines Canyon Debris Basin in the San Gabriels Southern California
High point vista of Haines Canyon Debris Basin in the San Gabriels Southern California
Mountain Bikers on a trail in Haines Canyon Debris Basin in the San Gabriels Southern California
Enter the Debris basins, one of the less-visited, less-appreciated water features of the San Gabriels. Go on an out-and-back hike that highlights the Haines Canyon Debris Basin, and features some awesome valley views.
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Trending Stories NorCal

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  1. Aloha from California

    Say Aloha without leaving California with a 7-mile out-and-back hiking adventure to Lake Aloha in El Dorado National Forest. You can also camp here, a premier place for stargazing.

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  2. Sequoia Re-opens Crystal Cave

    Step inside Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park's hidden world by visiting the newly re-opened Crystal Cave—the only cave in the parks open to the public. Closed for four years, this rare marble karst cavern is welcoming visitors once again, but only through the summer season!

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  3. Easiest Best Hike in the World

    Choose the easiest and most view-rewarding hike in Yosemite. Okay, we’ll go first: the combination of hiking to Sentinel Dome and Taft Point. Both of these lookouts are within a couple miles of each other on Glacier Point Road

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  4. Hiker in the forest at Mount Sutro in San Francisco

    San Francisco's Middle Earth

    No need to travel to New Zealand to visit Middle Earth. San Francisco’s Mount Sutro Open Space is practically Hobbiton—a hidden “shire” in the middle of the city. Okay, maybe not quite as magical, but still an incredible place to take a hike in city limits.

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Trending Stories SoCal

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  1. Can't Top This

    San Francisco’s Presidio was already a fantastic place to hang out for the afternoon, a beautiful site within the largest urban national park in the United States (the Golden Gate National Recreation Area). And Presidio Tunnel Tops is like a cherry on top. Make that two cherries on top, with the newly opened (July 2025) Outpost Meadow, a 1.5-acre green space located at Old Mason Street across from the Crissy Field Marsh in the Presidio.

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  2. Underground Garden

    Looking to escape the summer heat? Head to Fresno and discover its cool secret: the Forestiere Underground Gardens–an enchanting garden and architecture oasis like no other.

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  3. Volcanic Activity

    Northern California is home to one of the most unique ecosystems in the country: Lassen Volcanic National Park. The region features geothermal areas, including the largest dome volcano in the world, Lassen Peak. Hike to the top of this active volcano on a 5-mile out-and-back.  

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  4. Oh Ryan

    Sure, it’s those whimsical trees that give Joshua Tree National Park its marquee billing; but this beautiful landscape also has surrounding mountains and its night sky—one of the darkest in Southern California and designated an International Dark Sky Park. Joshua Tree has four allowable stargazing parking lots, and a newly opened haven for spending the night nearby...

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