Fourth-coming Adventures

We thought Weekend Sherpa turning 20 this year was a big milestone…then America reminded us it's celebrating 250! Happy Fourth of July! Here are a few ways to celebrate red, white, and blue in the great outdoors.

Week: 07.01.2026
Regions: Southern CA

Big Time Hike

Hike Mariposa Grove in Yosemite National Park

Yosemite Mariposa Grove hike Wawona Point
This is the largest grove of giant sequoias in Yosemite. We recommend this grand tour hike at 7.5 miles which includes a spectacular overlook.
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Zoom Up Zuma

Hike the Zuma Ridge Trail in Malibu

Some hikes just rise above the rest. The Zuma Ridge Trail is a 5.2-mile out-and-back hike that begins in a posh Malibu neighborhood before climbing to a stunning ridgeline with sweeping mountain and ocean views.
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Give Me Morro!

Sunset Kayak Morro Bay to Morro Rock Dunes

Kayaking Morro Bay
Like a Half Dome of the Central Coast, Morro Rock is an iconic fixture of San Luis Obispo County's shoreline. It's especially beautiful to see at sunset, from secluded sand dunes that are accessed by kayak. The good folks at Central Coast Outdoors lead a magical kayak tour at sun
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A Better Way to Baldwin

Hike the Park to Playa Trail in Culver City

A stone gate and a plaque sign indicating the Park to Plays Trail in Culver City
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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Shore Thing!

Hike Crystal Pier to Mission Beach in San Diego

Beach hop from pier to jetty on a 6-mile (round-trip) journey infused with classic beach culture. The trip starts at Pacific Beach Pier (aka Crystal Pier, after the classic cottages lining its edges) and goes to the Point Medanos jetty, the southernmost area of iconic Mission Bea
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Trending Stories NorCal

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  1. Napa Valley Paddle kayaker and paddle boarder on the Napa Valley river

    Napa's Wild Side

    It’s wine country’s Amazon. The gentle Napa River is an ecological—and recreational—delight. And Napa Valley Paddle sets you up for maximum enjoyment of this experience.

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  2. Inn-spiration Point!

    For more than a century, people have been hiking or mountain biking to West Point Inn for good reason. Perched at 1,785 feet on the southern slope of Mount Tamalpais, the historic inn has sweeping views from the Marin Headlands to the San Francisco skyline.

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  3. A Thousand Steps to Paradise

    A picture is worth a thousand words, but is a gorgeous beach in Laguna worth a thousand steps? The answer is yes, though the question is moot, because it’s only 223 steep steps down to the 400-yard stretch of sand known as 1000 Steps Beach.

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  4. Hike Mount Tamalpais into Muir Woods

    Muir Woods Through the Backdoor

    A backdoor entrance into Muir Woods? Hike a tranquil trail that starts in Mount Tamalpais State Park and quietly leads into Muir Woods, letting you avoid the busyness of the main parking area.

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Trending Stories SoCal

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  1. There's Always To Moro!

    Looking for a rock-solid itinerary in Sequoia National Park? Pair the park's most famous viewpoint with one that's often overlooked.

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  2. Rancho Style

    Vicente Bluffs Reserve dazzles anytime, but during the golden hour it’s an absolute knockout. Majestic rocky bluffs, dreamy ocean views, and a picturesque lighthouse are just a few of the reasons.

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  3. Duck Yeah!

    Duck Pass is everything you want in a High Sierra day hike. The 11-mile round trip from Mammoth Lakes Basin passes a string of sparkling alpine lakes before climbing to nearly 11,000-foot Duck Pass, where panoramic views of jagged peaks and sapphire waters reward the effort.

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  4. Hike to the Sierra Buttes Fire Lookout in the Lakes Basin

    Lookout for This View!

    Sierra Buttes Lookout, at a lofty 8,591 feet, is a memory maker for its pucker-worthy stairway to the tower’s balcony. It's a 5-mile (round-trip) hike to reach it. And the reward? Epic!

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