All "Overnight Escapes" Stories in Southern CA
All's Well That's Elwell
Mount Elwell's peak offers one of the best views of the northern Sierra. With two different routes to hike, it's 7 to 8 miles (round-trip) to the 7,818-foot peak. And it's a challenge!
ViewThe Long and Short of It
The Lakes Basin is, as you’d expect, packed with lakes. And Long Lake is one of its, well, longest. What’s not long is the hike to it—just 1 mile! This oasis is perfect for lounging.
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Simply Amazing Road Trip
Don’t overthink it, just go! Southern Oregon’s Klamath Basin is a hidden gem just north of the California border. This adventurous region makes savoring summer and fall easy with abundant outdoor recreation.
View Farm to Tent Cabins
The hardest part of staying at Willow-Witt Ranch will be leaving. This sprawling 445-acre property in Southern Oregon is part organic farm, part campground, part wellness retreat, and wholly relaxing.
ViewGone Rogue!
If one thing can make you feel like a kid at summer camp, it’s spending a day on the river, rafting, floating, cannonballing off cliffs—eureka! One of the best rivers in the West to float is the Rogue River.
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National Parks Road Trip: Circle of Discovery!
Love national parks? Love road trips? Combine the two on one fabulous Circle of Discovery route in Northern California and Southern Oregon! This itinerary features 7 national parks with wondrous features.
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Gateway to Glacier National Park
It’s known as the Soul of Montana: Kalispell is one of the West’s ultimate mountain towns—only a 30-minute scenic drive to the west side of Glacier National Park. Make the friendly mountain town your home base to these top adventures.
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All Roads Lead to Rogue
Idea for your next road trip: Go Rogue! The Rogue Valley in beautiful Southern Oregon has some of the state’s best hiking, swim holes, and wineries, and the charming historic towns of Ashland, Medford, and Jacksonville.
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Road Trip Ahead: Oregon Outback
Remote open spaces, camping under true Dark Skies, hiking and biking trails galore, wildlife refuges, and hot springs! Plan your road trip to the Oregon Outback this summer.
View Go Get a Lytle
Go on a little adventure hiking to Stone House Camp with big valley views, creekside relaxation, and shaded campsites—all within a 1.8-mile out-and-back hike.
ViewThe Ryan King
At 5,456 feet, the summit of Ryan Mountain has the best view in the park. Its brilliant panoramic expanse, spanning desert to mountains, and—bonus—late afternoons can feature a sky tinged with lavender thanks to the low-sitting sun.
ViewSplit Decision
Joshua Tree is famous for its namesake trees but it's also got some big-ass boulders! We're talking size-of-a-building boulders. See them on an off-the-beaten-path hike along the Split Rock Trail.
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Sonomas 5 Fall Wonders
Fall in Sonoma Valley brings a bounty of beauty, including leaf peeping and harvest festivities. Here are some top ideas for spending a few days and nights here.
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Ahhh-tumn Yosemite
A private cabin in Yosemite tucked among sugar pines? Yes please! Check out the brand-new Explorer Cabins at Tenaya Lodge.
View Your Private Cabin Is Calling
A private cabin in Yosemite tucked among sugar pines? Yes please! The brand-new Explorer Cabins at Tenaya Lodge make your next Yosemite getaway even more relaxing. Each standalone
ViewTahoe Trio of Lakes
Three alpine lakes, superb views, and shoreline camping for soaking it all in … Loch Leven Lakes is pure Tahoe wilderness. This 7.2-mile out-and-back in Tahoe National Forest is great for a long day hike, or a weekend of adventure camping among this trio of crystal waters.
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
ViewWhite Tank Campground
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.
ViewValley Rock 'n' Roll
Imagine if there was a bike-friendly paved trail that circled Yosemite Valley’s floor, hitting all the highlights … including the tallest waterfall in North America. Well, in fact, there is! Rent your wheels and grab a map from the Yosemite Valley Lodge or Half Dome Village and forget about the buses.
ViewZippity Yeeha!
When TripAdvisor rates you Mariposa’s #1 attraction, and your tagline is Get Your Zip On, there’s a lot to live up to. And Yosemite Ziplines and Adventure Ranch delivers! Created,
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The 2025 Hiking Calendar Is Here!
Ready to make hiking part of your New Year’s wellness plan? Get the all-new 2025 Hiking Calendar courtesy of Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST).
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