All "Hikes" Stories in Southern CA

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  Carson City Is Calling

  This state capital is where going wild means exploring the outdoors and enjoying the history and comforts of a vibrant community. Your best days are ahead in Carson City, Nevada!

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  Fall for North Lake Tahoe

  Favorite fall color? North Lake Tahoe Blue! In autumn, North Lake Tahoe is not only quieter—it’s famous crystalline oasis is surrounded by vivid fall colors amid fields of aspens and mixed meadows.

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  Oh Ryan

  Sure, it’s those whimsical trees that give Joshua Tree National Park its marquee billing; but this beautiful landscape also has surrounding mountains, hulking boulders, and its night sky—one of the darkest in Southern California. Designated an International Dark Sky Park, Joshua Tree has four allowable stargazing parking lots.

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  Discover the Dark

  Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are legendary as “the Land of the Giants,” home to the largest trees on earth—giant sequoias—and to the deepest canyon in the U.S.—Kings Canyon. The parks also have some impressive dark sky viewings.

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  Welcome to Walla Walla

  An eclectic, spirited gem in Washington’s scenic wine country, Walla Walla has made a marquee name for itself, including its walkable downtown wine district, and a diverse art and food scene.

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  Bakery to Bakery Urban Art Walk

  With nearly 600 restaurants, Pasadena rivals New York City in terms of establishments per capita. Translation: There’s a lot of food to choose from! French eateries are no exception. In the spirit of the Olympics, take a victory lap on a 3,500-meter (2.2-mile) bakery-to-bakery walk with some beautiful artdoors to see along the way.

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  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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  This Is Paradise

  Granite mountain-scape, superb sunset views, crystal lakes, and shoreline campsites … the trip to Paradise Lake in Tahoe National Forest lives up to its idyllic name.

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  This Urban Spot Is Tops

  Once an old military command post, today the Presidio in San Francisco is the largest urban national park in the United States. It’s also home to the relatively new Presidio Tunnel Tops a park built on top of Presidio Parkway tunnels. Not only does this offer a corridor for animals and plants to thrive in, it’s also a great community space for humans.

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  CA's Wild Coast National Park

  Its nickname is “North America’s Galapagos." Channel Islands National Park comprises five distinct and isolated islands separated from the mainland by 25 miles of open ocean. The park is home to more than 2,000 terrestrial plants and animals, of which 145 are found nowhere else in the world. At the largest of the islands, Santa Cruz, embark on a guided sea kayaking exploration among the caves of the island.

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  Forest for the Trees

  The world’s tallest trees can be seen in only one place: California. Specifically, Humboldt County in the far reaches of northern California. The county is a boon of rugged coastal beauty, wildlife like Roosevelt elk, canyons frilled by dewy ferns and trickling waterfalls, and yes—the tallest trees on the planet. The marquee hike for seeing the trees is at Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park (located within Redwood National Park).

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  Desert Dreams are Made of These CA National Parks

  Desert dreams are made of these two California national parks. Joshua Tree and Death Valley are both marvels for their natural formations, high ranking dark sky status, beautiful and unique blooms, and variety of animal life. Here are some of the best hikes to do in these parks.

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  Berkeley Cool

  The Bay Area’s coolest place to go this summer? Berkeley’s your basecamp! Say goodbye to summer heat and hello to cooler experiences. From its chill college town energy to the refreshing ocean breeze.

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  Tramarama!

  Why do hikers, boulderers, and outdoor enthusiasts love the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway? Because it quickly elevates them to the best terrain for adventures!

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  Sundialed Summer

  Gather your favorite people and dial up the summer fun in Redding! There are span-tastic celebrations for the 20th anniversary of the iconic Sundial Bridge and a Fourth of July celebration with one of California’s largest fireworks shows.

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  Wapama Wows

  Hetch Hetchy can be overlooked in Yosemite National Park because of its more remote location and limited facilities. But this is where you’ll also find one of the best day hikes in the park: Wapama Falls.

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  Spokane Like a Local

  Here’s an idea for an epic summer vacation: Spokane! This urban river city in Washington State shines with summer sun, a fabulous 4th of July, outdoor patios everywhere—and of course—the great outdoors.

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  San Elijo Stairway and Beach Walk

  Grab your sunscreen (and maybe your tent!) and head to San Elijo State Beach and Campground near Cardiff in San Diego County. Take in some bluffside bliss and a 1.5-mile coastal stairway and beach walk.

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  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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  A Very Bavarian Spring

  Ready to change up your spring scenery? Pack your bags for this alpine adventure in Washington State’s Cascade Mountains. The Bavarian-style hamlet of Leavenworth could be a stand-in for a mountain village in Europe.

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