All in Southern CA

  1. Hike the Griffith Park Classic Fern Dell to Mount Hollywood

    Seeing the Forest for the Trees

    With all of California's national forests shut down, outdoor recreation is getting slightly squeezed for now. So have patience, take care, and enjoy these beautiful outdoor adventures at parks where you can still forest bathe in the beauty of trees.

    VIEW
  2. woman hiking to view over LA at Runyon Canyon with dogs

    Hikes with Your Best Friend

    Hiking with your furry best friend is such a pawsitive thing to do, and these three LA spots have mountain-to-sea panoramas, cinematic scenery, and inspiration points that are top dog!

    VIEW
  3. Scenic Hike from Point Fermin Park to Angels Gate Park in Los Angeles

    Down by the Sea

    She may sell seashells by the seashore, but where does she hike and bike? By the sea, of course! These seaside strolls and rolls are stupendously spectacular.

    VIEW
  4. Lake Nacimiento
    Sponsored
    2025-06-25

    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.

    View
  5. hiker at Whiting Ranch Wilderness canyon

    Hidden Canyon Hikes

    Arizona and Utah get all the attention for canyons and astounding rock formations, but Southern California has a few secret ones to hike among or drop into—with the help of a ladder. And they’re not too far away!

    VIEW
  6. Backpacker on Tuolumne River in Yosemite High Sierra

    How to Lose the Crowds in National Parks

    A magical thing happens when you hike just a mile or two from trailheads in popular national parks: Crowds begin to disappear. Even better, go backpacking to really have solitude. These trips in Yosemite, Zion, Point Reyes, and Channel Islands are out-of-office adventure havens.

    VIEW
  7. Hike to Gould Mesa Camp in LA County

    Trails Less Traveled

    Hooray, outside is awesome and everyone now seems to know it. The challenge? Trails are a little crowded this summer. Where can you get a little space? These five hiking spots in LA County are often overlooked or under-traveled in favor of more popular nearby options.

    VIEW
  8. Woman hiking the Bear Canyon Trail with huge mountain views in the background at Mount Baldy in Los Angeles County

    Beer Hikes

    Hike, then beer? We’ve brewed up some summer adventures where all trails lead to beer(s)! These three routes have plenty of great vistas, beaches, and forest features, followed by nearby brewpubs for refreshing your spirits, and quenching your post-hike thirst.

    VIEW
  9. Water Hikes

    Summer in SoCal—hot, and dry right now, due to drought. Fortunately, LA’s still got some treasured and less-known waterworks for chilling out. Here are three to visit and appreciate.

    VIEW
  10. No Reservations Backpacking and Camping

    No reservation? No problem! Well, at least if you have a few of these tips on camping and backpacking in California. From first-come, first-served camping, to no quotas on wilderness backpacking, here are three places to go for summer.

    VIEW
  11. Hike-in to the beach at Leo Carrillo State Park

    From Sea to Summit

    America's birthday is coming in hot. These summer classic adventures go from the sea to summits: Hike-in beaches, mellow redwood wanders (in SoCal), and panoramic peak hikes await. Go fourth the great outdoors!

    VIEW
  12. Woman biking the riverside bike trail from Ventura to Ojai

    AdVentura Time!

    Kick off the official start of the season with a big adVentura. Ventura pops with summer delights like a riverside bike trail to Ojai, plus lakeside hiking, camping, boating, and epic disc golf too.

    VIEW
  13. Woman walking down towards Blacks Beach in La Jolla

    Outdoor Education

    Among the best places to enjoy art, sculptures, and botanical gardens? College campuses during summer are lovely places to stroll, observe natural beauty and creative art outdoors, plus find surprises like a nearby beach. Here are a few to see.

    VIEW
  14. Woman hiking lakeside at Lake Hodges in San Diego County

    Lake Hikes

    Water is a scarce resource these days. Pay homage to it and enjoy the precious view hiking beside these lovely lakes and reservoirs in North San Diego County.

    VIEW
  15. Lake Nacimiento
    Sponsored
    2025-06-25

    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.

    View
  16. Woman walking at Long Beach in Los Angeles County

    Hidden Long Beach

    Think you know Long Beach? We’ve got some twists for you! Visit its less-known regional park, take a mural art walk beyond the beach, and double up on water attractions combining two urban lagoons on a local hike. Go Long!

    VIEW
  17. Summer Kick-Off Hikes

    The unofficial start of summer means just one thing: official summer hikes! Blaze your trails from Nevada to LA.

    VIEW
  18. Friends hiking Reno's Thomas Creek Trail in Galena Regional Park

    Bright Lights and the Great Outdoors

    Is there a city with easier access to the great outdoors than Reno? In 15 minutes you can be on hiking trails to waterfalls and big Sierra views. Or right in town you can enjoy walks and bike rides beside the Truckee River, which cuts right through downtown Reno.

    VIEW
  19. Woman standing at the top of Josephine Peak hike

    Lookout for Panoramas!

    Lookout hikes are popular because the looking out from them looks really good! And these three viewtiful lookouts are no exception. Summit them before summer and enjoy the panoramas.

    VIEW
  20. Blue art installation of deer near a Joshua Tree in the Antelope Valley

    Tune in to Antelope Valley

    Antelope Valley is most famous for its poppy season, but there's a lot more to see and do here: hiking among Joshua trees, wine and beer tasting, and driving the unique Musical Road. Tune in!

    VIEW
  21. Two women at the entrance of the Lavender Labyrinth at Bees N Blooms in Santa Rosa

    Nature Therapy

    When was the last time your prescription read "explore a lavender labyrinth" or "hike to a summit for sunset." Indeed, Sonoma County is just the dose of wellness and outdoors the doctor ordered.

    VIEW
  22. Secret Canyon Hikes

    Shhh, find some solitude and seriously good views in north San Fernando Valley, where three hikes feature everything from striking rock formations to redwoods.

    VIEW

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Bear Hug

    This 5.5-mile loop through Coyote Lake-Harvey Bear Ranch County Park explores one of the newest segments of the acclaimed Bay Area Ridge Trail, one redolent with trees ranging from madrone and manzanita to buckeye and blue elderberry (with a bubbly post-hike bonus).

    View
  2. Field of Light at Sensorio in Paso Robles

    Light This Way

    Hidden in the bucolic hills of Paso Robles lies one of the greatest light shows on earth. The lighted art exhibition, Sensorio, is as if the rainbow magic of the aurora borealis was plucked from the sky and planted in the fields.

    View
  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.

    View
  4. Bucks Up!

    Come on in, the water is beautiful. Whether you like swimming, kayaking, stand-up paddling, or heading out on a bigger boat, Bucks Lake is a high mountain haven that’s easy to access, blissfully uncrowded, and surrounded by sandy beaches, picnic areas, pines, and aspens.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Coming Up Roses

    Looking to spice up your hiking life? Give your partner a rose—Mount Rose! The 10-mile out-and-back peak hike goes up to one of the grandest views in all of Lake Tahoe. Get ready f

    View
  2. Two kayakers on Upper Klamath Basin on tour with Sky Lakes Wilderness Adventures

    Zen & the Art of Kayaking

    It’s the most meditative and relaxing experience you’ll ever have on a kayak. Yes, you read that right, a Zen experience on a kayak. It all happens in beautiful Klamath County when you head out on a guided tour with Sky Lakes Wilderness Adventures.

    View
  3. Lake Nacimiento
    Sponsored

    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.

    View
  4. A Rose in the Pines

    A crackling fire, a bottle of wine, a bubbling Jacuzzi tub with a waterfall … now the big question: Marvin Gaye tunes or not? In the morning (ahem) it's breakfast in bed and a leis

    View