All in Southern CA

  1. Lakes Basin Camping and Hiking in the Sierra Nevada

    Secret Sierra

    The Lakes Basin is the High Sierra, simplified. About one hour northwest of Tahoe you'll find chill lakeside camping, miles of uncrowded hiking trails, and a lookout like no other.

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  2. Hike to These Three SoCal Peaks

    Peak Season: Summit Hikes

    Summer's peaking so hit the peaks! These three SoCal classics offer some history, some cardio workouts, and—best of all—some seriously amazing panoramas.

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  3. Hike the Ventura River Estuary to Emma Wood State Beach

    Midsummer Mojo

    Ultimate vistas, a Griffith Park classic, and a bonanza of national parks in California and a bit beyond make midsummer sensational!

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  4. Sponsored
    2025-08-20

    Let's Go to Paso!

    Paso Robles is a good idea in all seasons, but one season brings a special bounty: harvest season! Road-trip ready and teeming with fall colors and fun events, Paso Robles is the ultimate destination for unique autumn experiences.

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  5. Crater Lake Southern Oregon Road Trip

    The Road Trip Less Traveled

    A beautiful national park, wild and scenic rivers, hike-in hot springs, tent cabins in the mountains, peak hikes, wine tasting: do a road trip to Southern Oregon!

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  6. Hikes to Views of the Hollywood Sign

    Hollywood Hikes

    Like many in showbiz, the Hollywood Sign has had a few touch-ups over the years, an enduring beacon beaming amid the good and the bad. Here are three hikes starring beautiful views of the timeless, if not ageless, Hollywood Sign.

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  7. Bike the Pacific Electric Trail in SoCal

    Wheelhouse: The Pacific Electric Trail

    The Pacific Electric Trail is a 20-mile car-free bike path threading six cities in the Inland Empire. Pedal three distinct segments of it so you can explore some sites and grab some bites.

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  8. Hi Cherry Canyon Park to the Ultimate Destination in LA County

    Short Social Distance Hikes With Big Rewards

    Looking for a little space on the trails? These three hikes in Los Angeles County are short (under 3 miles), offer good social distance, and bring big rewards, from “ultimate” viewpoints to tranquil retreats.

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  9. Where to Get Outdoors in LA: Hike to Morton Peak Fire Lookout

    Go Fourth the Great Outdoors

    While this won't be your typical Fourth of July, there are still some ways to clear the Covid-cobwebs outside. We've rounded up a few hikes, and you can also explore our new website for more ideas. Stay safe, follow county protocols, and happy Fourth!

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  10. Hike Vasquez Rocks Natural Park Area

    Hike, Scramble, and Rock These Views

    Ready to rock outdoors? Hike, climb, scramble among rock formations that offer bold new heights, huge points of view, and some truly gem moments.

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  11. Hike to Morton Peak, Vetter Peak and Strawberry Peak Lookouts in Southern California

    Lookout Hikes!

    Look, look, lookout! Here come some inspiring views. These three hikes to lookouts are all under 6 miles and packed with scenery, especially from the summits.

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  12. Hike Mist Trail Yosemite Nevada Vernal Falls

    Yosemite Re-Opens

    (whispering...) We don't want to cause a mad rush, but the Sierra Nevada's Shangri-La has re-opened! With visitation limited to about 50% of normal, it's a great time to hit the trails.

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  13. Yosemite Falls

    The Outdoors for Everyone

    Since 2006 our credo has been "the outdoors for everyone.” This was meant to inspire outdoor adventures for anybody, regardless of experience level, age, income, gender, or race.

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  14. Hike Point Mugu Big Sycamore Canyon Loop Trail

    Reacquainted with the Outdoors

    Slow and steady, here we go ... outside is making a comeback. Here are some hikes in various counties across Southern California to get you inspired.

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  15. Sponsored
    2025-08-20

    Let's Go to Paso!

    Paso Robles is a good idea in all seasons, but one season brings a special bounty: harvest season! Road-trip ready and teeming with fall colors and fun events, Paso Robles is the ultimate destination for unique autumn experiences.

    View
  16. Peters Canyon hike Orange County

    Easy Does It Outdoors

    We're dipping our pinky toe into the outdoors again. Here's a list to consider. Check your county's ordinance for outdoor recreation and mask usage. Stay safe and enjoy the parks!

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  17. Sequoia National Park

    Shortlist These National Parks

    We love our national parks. So we created a shortlist of the top parks to visit, and the best hikes to do, once they re-open. We can't wait to get back!

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  18. New Rules of the Trail

    New Rules of the Trail

    As parks around California begin to re-open, we came up with tips for being responsible on your outdoor adventures. Let’s do our part so we can all keep enjoying the parks!

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  19. Weekend Sherpa Team

    The Outdoors We're Craving

    We're sharing what adventures we're most craving and plan to do as soon as the time is right

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  20. How to #OptInside during Shelter in Place

    How to #OptInside

    Getting a little stir crazy? Covid-19 has unfortunately shut down a lot of open space. What to do? We have a few ways to bring the great outdoors indoors. We've called it #OptInside. Check out the list of easy things to do indoors.

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  21. Bonelli Park

    Social Distance Hikes & Bike Rides

    We’ve rounded up a few of our favorite easy hikes and bike rides around SoCal. Due to the changing dynamics, please check the official websites to learn about and updates in status.

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  22. Last-minute Waterfalls

    When water falls: waterfalls! While it may not last long, the wet skies have perked up some natural waterworks around SoCal. Go get 'em while you can.

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Trending Stories NorCal

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  1. Aloha from California

    Say Aloha without leaving California with a 7-mile out-and-back hiking adventure to Lake Aloha in El Dorado National Forest. You can also camp here, a premier place for stargazing.

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  2. Sequoia Re-opens Crystal Cave

    Step inside Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park's hidden world by visiting the newly re-opened Crystal Cave—the only cave in the parks open to the public. Closed for four years, this rare marble karst cavern is welcoming visitors once again, but only through the summer season!

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  3. Easiest Best Hike in the World

    Choose the easiest and most view-rewarding hike in Yosemite. Okay, we’ll go first: the combination of hiking to Sentinel Dome and Taft Point. Both of these lookouts are within a couple miles of each other on Glacier Point Road

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  4. Hiker in the forest at Mount Sutro in San Francisco

    San Francisco's Middle Earth

    No need to travel to New Zealand to visit Middle Earth. San Francisco’s Mount Sutro Open Space is practically Hobbiton—a hidden “shire” in the middle of the city. Okay, maybe not quite as magical, but still an incredible place to take a hike in city limits.

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Trending Stories SoCal

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  1. Can't Top This

    San Francisco’s Presidio was already a fantastic place to hang out for the afternoon, a beautiful site within the largest urban national park in the United States (the Golden Gate National Recreation Area). And Presidio Tunnel Tops is like a cherry on top. Make that two cherries on top, with the newly opened (July 2025) Outpost Meadow, a 1.5-acre green space located at Old Mason Street across from the Crissy Field Marsh in the Presidio.

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  2. Underground Garden

    Looking to escape the summer heat? Head to Fresno and discover its cool secret: the Forestiere Underground Gardens–an enchanting garden and architecture oasis like no other.

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  3. Volcanic Activity

    Northern California is home to one of the most unique ecosystems in the country: Lassen Volcanic National Park. The region features geothermal areas, including the largest dome volcano in the world, Lassen Peak. Hike to the top of this active volcano on a 5-mile out-and-back.  

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  4. 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 and its night sky—one of the darkest in Southern California and designated an International Dark Sky Park. Joshua Tree has four allowable stargazing parking lots, and a newly opened haven for spending the night nearby...

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