Dates Outdoors

In this season of love and romance, there's one companion who never disappoints: the outdoors! Grab your favorite person or people and head out on some hikes and bike rides that are oh so sweet right now.

Week: 02.09.2022
Regions: Northern CA

A New Work of Heart

Hike from the Lincoln Steps to Mile Rock Beach in San Francisco

Heart Art at the Coastal Trail near Mile Rock Beach in San Francisco
The mosaic tiles of the Lincoln Stairs in San Francisco
Hikers on the Coastal Trail overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco
Ready for a heartfelt hike? This urban walk in San Francisco features a beautiful mosaic stairway, panoramic views, a new work of "heart," and plentiful coastal drama.
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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

Valentine Vista Loop

Hike Valentine Vista Loop in Moore Creek Park Napa

Woman standing on the trail of Valentine Vista Loop at Moore Creek Park in Napa with poppies blooming on the grass
Woman standing in a field of wildflowers at Valentine Vista Loop Trail in Moore Creek Park Napa
Hike the 4.3-mile Valentine Vista Trail at Moore Creek Park. It's spectacular for views and poppies blooming in spring.
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Three Beaches to the Wind

Hike to three beaches on this coastal trail in the Marin Headlands

Woman hiking the Coastal Trail in the Marin Headlands
Woman hiking up the Coastal Trail next to the ocean in the Marin Headlands
Woman sitting on a rock on the Coastal Trail and looking down below to Muir Beach in the Marin Headlands
Pirates Cove Beach in the Marin Headlands
This beautiful 7-mile (round-trip) coastal hike in the Marin Headlands connects three beaches: Muir Beach, Pirates Cove, and Tennessee Cove.
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Cycle the Scenery & Historic Sites

Bicycle Angel Island's Scenic Perimeter Road

Bicycle Angel Island Perimeter Road San Francisco Bay
A bike ride is a fantastic way to take in the 360-degree panoramas you get on Angel Island. Perimeter Road is a car-free route that circumnavigates the island, allowing for plenty of scenic and historic stops.
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Trending Stories NorCal

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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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Trending Stories SoCal

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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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