All "Hikes" Stories in Southern CA
Rob A Peak!
It’s a guilty pleasure to bag a peak via a short hike. Steal some spectacular views in Orange County’s Santiago Oaks Regional Park. A 3.5-mile loop climbs to 1,152-foot Robbers Pea
ViewSolstice Treasure
Solstice Canyon is itself a hidden treasure, but the Sostomo and Deer Valley Loop Trail is a treasure within the treasure.
ViewBig Sycamore, Big Views
The coolest part of the Big Sycamore Canyon Loop Trail in Point Mugu State Park? Every stretch offers something new, from rocky bluffs to grassy valleys, coastal views to majestic
ViewEl Moro of the Story
El Moro Canyon Loop Trail in Crystal Cove State Park offers a leg workout, canyon views, ocean views—and, ta-da!—beach access. The challenging 5-mile (round-trip) loop trail passes
View![Hiker going through Vanalden Cave in the Santa Monica Mountains]()
A Frame for the Sky
It’s just a 1.5-mile (round-trip) hike on an out-and-back trail to reach Vanalden Cave in the Santa Monica Mountains, an impressively large sandstone chamber.
ViewDripping History
This 5-mile (round-trip) hike in Orange County's Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park leads to Dripping Cave in Laguna Nigel.
ViewHoly Batcave!
Explore Hollywood history in the western end of Griffith Park on a hike to Bronson Caves. On your way, stop at a rock labyrinth for a little contemplation.
ViewGive It the Islip
With a name that could suggest slipping and falling off a cliff, Mount Islip (pronounced “eye-slip”) may sound like a peak to stay away from. But the hike to the 8,251-foot summit
ViewKicking Butler
When you reach the fire lookout tower that crowns 8,535-foot Butler Peak, you reach a 360-degree panoramic view that captures the grandeur of SoCal’s most epic mountain ranges—the
ViewCowabunga, Cucamonga!
You’ll get your heart pounding and your muscles burning with the challenging adventure that is Cucamonga Peak. The summit is one of the tallest peaks in the San Gabriel Mountains, and the 12.1-mile trek pulls no punches.
ViewWhite Tank Campground for Stargazing
Heaven for star buffs: the best campground in Joshua Tree National Park for night-sky viewing, in a place named an International Dark Sky Park, with a full-on observatory just minutes away! White Tank Campground is at 3,800 feet in the eastern part of the park.
ViewLaguna Campground
Star travelers can find dark skies and solitude for stargazing only an hour away from downtown San Diego at Laguna Campground in the Cleveland National Forest. Go on a weeknight to
ViewRight on Target!
Grip, aim, draw, release: That’s all there is to archery! Not really, but a visit to Orange County Archery in Mission Viejo before or after a nearby hike will put you in a zen-of-a
ViewMidtown Magnificent
Stunning murals, outstanding craft beer, a lively industrial district, and farmers markets filled with tasty fare and artisan flair ... it's all happening in Sacramento! Take a str
ViewBonelli By Golly!
The 6.3-mile Bonelli Park Loop Trail is proof you don’t have to go far to escape the city. It’s in the heart of the metro area in San Dimas, freeway-close to a gazillion people. Bu
ViewBuck Wild
Buck Gully Reserve in Newport Beach is right in the middle of the city but feels like a hidden oasis. As the 5.2-mile (round-trip) out-and-back Buck Gully Trail crosses through the
ViewOn the Woof of the City
Pooch-friendly Scholl Canyon Trail in Glendale packs a hilly punch in its 2-mile length, perfect for a quick nature fix or fast workout. The trailhead is just a few minutes from th
ViewBelieve It!
A hidden speakeasy, loads of extraordinary murals and sculptures, and fabulous outdoor beer gardens … where? Reno! We’ve said it before; we’ll say it again: The biggest little city
ViewBolsa and a Nano Brewery
Whether you’re a bird nerd or just like beautiful views, the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve in Huntington Beach is a must-do in these parts. Its 1,341 acres of coastal estuary are
ViewChaparral and Chardonnay
Forget Teleflora—if Mom loves flowers, hike Temescal Canyon’s Loop Trail together. It features more spring flowers than Weekend 2 at Coachella, and you can follow up your 4-mile hi
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Tram to Cool Treks
Elevate your fun, getting whisked from palm trees to alpine wilderness on the world’s largest rotating tramcar. The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway transports you up and away on a 2.5-mile scenic route from the desert floor to the refreshing wilderness of Mount San Jacinto State Park.
Get Your Ticket to Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
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