Wild Hikes

So close, yet so far away. These cities in SoCal offer fantastic nearby hiking destinations where you can go wild without having to go to the wilds!

Week: 09.29.2021
Regions: Southern CA

Sublime in Sycamore

Hike Sycamore Canyon Loop near Riverside Inland Empre

The 3.5-mile round-trip Sycamore Canyon loop is just minutes from bustling Riverside yet feels like a journey through the wilderness of an Old West movie.
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Clarity in Claremont

Hike the rugged Claremont Hills Wilderness Park in Los Angeles County

Mountainous view in Claremont Hills Wilderness Park in Los Angeles County
The majority of Claremont Hills Wilderness Park is inaccessible, rugged terrain but there’s a 4.9-mile moderate loop that’s well-maintained and feels gloriously far away, despite being close to the city.
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Bommer Beauty

Hike Bommer Canyon Trail in Irvine

Hiker crossing over a bridge on the trail at Bommer Canyon Open Space Preserve in Orange County
Hiker starting on the Bommer Canyon Trail in its namesake preserved in Orange County
Bright green cacti in the foreground scenery of Bommer Canyon Open Space Preserved
Hiker on a wide open trail at Bommer Canyon Open Space Preserve in Orange County
This 4.6-mile out-and-back hike in Orange County's Bommer Canyon Open Space Preserve has beautiful vistas and a Mediterranean-type ecosystem.
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Weekend Sherpa Podcast: Take It Outside

Weekend Sherpa Podcast: Take It Outside

Jim Litchfield holding a fish from a fly fishing adventure
Adventure for your earbuds. What's new in the world of the outdoors? Listen to Weekend Sherpa co-founders discuss local hikes, beaches, bike rides, camping spots and all kinds of travel and adventure in California and beyond!
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Trending Stories NorCal

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  1. Afternoon on the Island

    What is it about tiny islands in the middle of lakes? There’s something that just draws you in. It’s even more fun when getting there is half the adventure because you have to reach it by canoe, kayak, paddleboat, or a ranger-guided boat tour!

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  2. Gentle Giants

    Some people visit national parks to marvel at the iconic sights, while others come seeking solitude in nature. With visitation on the rise, it can be hard to find both. But in Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, this pair of trails offers both....

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  3. Rio Del Mar-velous

    Rio Del Mar State Beach in Aptos might be one of the best places for a treasure hunt. Its location between two other beaches makes for a good stroll featuring a spectacle of wildlife as you search the sand for sea glass and seashells.

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  4. Hiker taking a photo of sunset at Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve

    Sunshine and Skyline

    Head to Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve for a 4-mile out-and-back hike on the Bay Area Ridge Trail that offers a front-row seat to spectacular sunsets.

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Trending Stories SoCal

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  1. Walking the Los Angeles River Trail Through Frogtown

    Frogtown Strutter’s Stroll

    Don’t go dismissing the Los Angeles River as merely a 51-mile concrete channel. It’s a genuine urban artery that links real neighborhoods, and its riverside bike/ped paths endear i

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  2. Sponsored

    Chase Fall Colors & Family Fun in Reno Tahoe

    Ready to Reno? We’re so with you! Reno Tahoe is the ultimate urban basecamp for gathering family and friends for all kinds of fall fun and festivities.

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  3. Griffith's Golden

    With over 4,200 acres and hundreds of trails, Griffith Park is the gold standard. Opt for the lesser-hiked northwestern end of the park and visit the 2.25-mile Skyline and Oak Canyon loop from Travel Town.

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  4. Mulholland's Most Majestic

    Take a leisurely drive along Mulholland Drive to discover beautiful urban scenery and unexpected wild beauty, right in the middle of the city. 

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