Merry Outdoors

Ho-ho-ho, it's go-go-go for these super fun adventures that keep the outdoors merry and bright. Happy holidays, SoCal!

Week: 12.15.2015
Regions: Southern CA

Bike on Water

Hydrobike Holiday Lights in Long Beach

Waterworld meets National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation on this most original way to see holiday lights. Get your ho-ho-ho's and your ha-ha-ha's hydrobiking along the wide-open, festively decorated canals of the Naples district in Long Beach. The hydrobike is essentially a regular
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New Year's Eve at the Aquarium

Monterey Bay Aquarium New Years Sleepover

Feel like a fish out of water when it comes to New Year's Eve? We have just the plan for you! The New Year's Eve Seashore Sleepover, hosted by Monterey Bay Aquarium. Gather your friends, the kids, whoever else you want: The world-famous aquarium is positively magical at night, an
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Sand Sledding

Sand Sledding Venice Beach

It's not snowing at LA's beaches, but the sledding's still great! Recently erected sand berms up and down the coast—and as high as 15 feet—are intended to protect areas from flooding during winter storm surges. For parents seeking a little fun with their kids, or for kids at hear
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Canals Less Traveled

Walk the Venice Canals in LA

If the only holiday bling you think you'll see in Venice is the shiny muscles of bodybuilders on the boardwalk, you're only partly right! Tucked away from this hustle, bustle, and muscle, the waterways of LA's Venice Canals are a tranquil alternative. The bridges that arch over t
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  1. Perles Beach Angel Island San Francisco Bay

    Secret Beach

    A hidden beach and a killer view? Those are hard to come by, but that’s exactly what you’ll get at Perles Beach on Angel Island. Bike or hike to this beautiful pocket cove.

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  2. Cinematic Sonoma

    Longer days. Golden light. Wildflowers in bloom. It’s the perfect moment to plan your spring escape to Sonoma for the Sonoma International Film Festival, March 25–29. No fuss. No sprawl. Just films, friends, fresh air, and that unmistakable Sonoma glow.

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  3. Hike Pescadero Marsh Natural Preserve

    Mellow in the Marsh

    Beach, birds, ice plant popping purple flowers: That’s a hiking slam dunk! Hike about 2 miles at Pescadero Marsh Natural Preserve using their easy to navigate (well-signed) Sequoia Audubon Trail.

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  4. A man is looking through his binoculars at sunrise at the Bayland Nature Preserve in Palo Alto

    Baylands Bird & Art Loop

    Combine an outdoor art walk and wildlife sightings at the Baylands Nature Preserve in Palo Alto. This 5-mile loop through Byxbee Park and the Emily Renzel Wetlands features striking installations by artists Peter Richards and Michael Oppenheimer—where the landscape itself becomes part of the canvas.

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  1. Tree Town

    Home to an estimated 21,000 trees and 100 acres of parkland, South Pasadena has earned its nickname: the City of Trees. This 2.5-mile neighborhood walk lets you experience its leafy canopy up close, winding through charming streets and three of the city’s beloved parks.

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  2. A Better Way to Baldwin

    The Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook in Culver City is one of West L.A.’s most popular hiking spots, but most visitors miss the bigger picture. This 3.5-mile out-and-back along a section of the Park to Playa Trail offers a fuller experience of this gorgeous nature park with sweeping urban views and a few artistic surprises along the way.

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  3. Sponsored

    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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  4. A woman standing at the pond's edge at Ernest B Debs Regional Park in Los Angeles. Trees are making reflections on the pond.

    Urban Oasis Loop

    Home to the city’s Audubon Center, Ernest E. Debs' 282-acre park features a robust network of hiking trails and surprising wildlife diversity. More than 140 bird species have been spotted here. Birdwatcher or not, this 2.5-mile route makes for a gorgeous outing.

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