California's Most Sea-nic National Park

Blissful beaches, panoramic hikes, craft beer, and one of California’s wildest national parks—Ventura County Coast has the Southern California climate with its own distinct laid-back vibe. Get a change of sea-nery with these five itinerary ideas!

Week: 01.26.2022
Regions: Northern & Southern CA

Purely Wild

Hike Channel Islands Santa Cruz Island to Potato Harbor and Cavern Point

Hiker walking along the North Bluff Trail on Santa Cruz Island, Channel Islands National Park
Campground sign and Cavern Point sign at Santa Cruz Islands, Channel Islands National Park
Two hikers at Santa Cruz Island Channel Islands National Park
Channel Islands National Park lives up to its nickname as “North America’s Galapagos.” This less-traveled national park is an undeveloped and isolated series of five dramatic and distinct islands reached by boat. Hike the largest of the islands, Santa Cruz.
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Sea-splunking

Adventure Sea Cave Kayak Tour at Channel Islands National Park

Kayaker inside cave at Channel Islands National Park Adventure Sea Cave Kayak Tour
Channel Island Adventure Company guides getting kayakers ready for the sea kayak adventure tour at Santa Cruz Island
If exploring a cave is spelunking, then exploring a cave by kayak is … spelayaking?! This unique cave-kayaking adventure at Channel Islands National Park is a wonderful way to get an in-depth perspective of the marvelous caves here.
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Bike the Harbor, Catch Sunset at Hollywood Beach

Bike Channel Islands Harbor to Hollywood Beach in Oxnard

Hollywood Beach Oxnard
Woman on an e-bike at Channel Islands Harbor in Oxnard passing by docked sailboats
docked sailboats at sunset at Channel Islands Harbor
Sea Lions at Channel View Park in Oxnard
Sailboats, barking sea lions, wide-open golden beach—Channel Islands Harbor and Hollywood Beach are marquee attractions, and renting a fat-tire E-bike is a fun way to explore this classic Southern California setting in Oxnard.
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That's Just Wildwood!

Hike Wildwood Canyon Overlook Trail Near Camarillo

Two Hikers at Wildwood Canyon Overlook Trail in Camarillo there are big mountain views
Hikers at the Camarillo Wildwood Canyon Overlook Trail in Ventura County
Hikers taking in the big mountain panoramic views at Wildwood Canyon Overlook Trail in Ventura County
The farm-to-table agricultural landscape around Camarillo delights with vineyards, lush canyons, and craggy mountains. For a hike combining a trifecta of these views, head to Wildwood Canyon Overlook Trail.
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The Camarillo Beer Trail

Enjoy the Camarillo Beer Trail in Ventura County

Two women having craft beer at a patio picnic table at Topa Topa in Camarillo
Institution Ale 12 oz beer next to a spicy fried chicken pizza
Institution Ale Company beer
Two women having beers on the outdoor patio at Institution Ale in Camarillo
Some trails are more refreshing than others! And while the Camarillo Beer Trail isn’t a hiking trail, it is most certainly worth exploring. Make it a day of brews or do a “brews and views” tour by combining a scenic hike followed by some tasty beers.
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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. 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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  3. Hike top Angel Island Mount Livermore San Francisco Bay

    Good Heavens

    The 4-mile hike to the top of Angel Island offers Bay-mazing scenery. Some people claim you get a five-bridge view: Richmond-San Rafael, Bay, Golden Gate, San Mateo-Hayward, and Dumbarton bridges.

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  4. Lake Nacimiento
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    Savor Summer in Paso Robles

    Ready for the “Great California Road Trip”? Keep it real and rolling in bucolic and beautiful Paso Robles. This down- to-earth destination has everything you need to enjoy the coolest experiences.

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Trending Stories SoCal

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  1. Locals' Feature: Jim Litchfield, Owner of Reno Fly Shop

    If there's a river, you're likely to find Jim Litchfield there. As the owner of Reno Fly Shop, Nevada's premier fly fishing outfitter and shop, Jim's passion for rivers knows no bounds: he's fished in places near and far, including Alaska, Bolivia and Christmas Island. But home is beautiful Reno, where he has been running Reno Fly Shop and leading tailored river float and fly fishing adventures (including beginner-friendly options) for over a decade.

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  2. 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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  3. Bikers and walkers on the Bay Area Ridge Trail with the Golden Gate Bridge behind them

    National Park City Walk

    See San Francisco the way locals do by hiking the Presidio, a national park right in the city! Wooded trails, secluded beaches, and epic views of the Golden Gate Bridge feature on this 5.5-mile out-and-back on the Bay Area Ridge Trail. It’s a lovely slice of the City by the Bay.

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  4. A group of people clamored around the summit marker at Mission Peak in the Bay Area

    Your Mission Is Less Crowded

    Mission Peak is one of the Bay Area’s most popular mountains, with many hikers climbing every weekend. Skip the crowds with this 6-mile loop up the less-traveled southern route.

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