All Stories from Southern CA
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Waterfalls, Wildflowers, Wildlife
Talk about good timing! When waterfalls and wildflowers begin fading in other places, there’s an outdoors mecca that’ll be freshly blooming—and H2O booming: Plumas County!
View Rockin' Clevenger
North or south? San Pasqual’s Clevenger Canyon in North County San Diego has both south and north trailheads about half a mile apart. We’re going south this time, for a rocking chair good time (read on)! This trail nets you 5.4 miles, over 1,300 feet of gain, and fantastic views.
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Spring for a New Adventure
North Lake Tahoe is having a spring for the ages, with historic snow levels. This season has always been special: There are great mid-week deals, and this year the snow is going to stick around for a while—skiing until July! Make a week of it!
View Hey Stanley
Escondido’s 3,200-acre Daley Ranch is home to one of the largest trail systems in San Diego County. Its prominent point is Stanley Peak, reached via a 6.3-mile lollipop loop that climbs just over 1,000 feet to the 1,975-foot apex of the park.
ViewBountiful Bernardo
Epic summit views, awesome cardio workout, beautiful lake vistas, accessible trailhead—all signs point to Bernardo Mountain in north San Diego County. Conquer it via a 7.25-mile out-and-back.
ViewMontebello Mission
Adorable animal feeding, peaceful bird watching, and delicious beer drinking? Hello, Montebello! This northeastern city has fantastic views of the hulking San Gabriels and a variety of green spaces, not to mention great spots for beer(s)!
ViewOh So Whittier
Best way to explore a city? The greenway! Check out the charming town of Whittier, along with its picturesque college, by walking (or biking) its scenic 4.8-mile Greenway Trail. Bonus: Perfect post-walk brews included at Whittier Brewing Co.
ViewHuntington Bell Hops
In the metropolis of the northeastern cities of LA, the neighboring sprawls of Huntington Park and Bell have less-visited hidden green spaces and some cool breweries worthy of a city hop!
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Top Dog Destination
Redding is a pawsitively ideal destination for you and your four-legged pal. Surrounded by Shasta and Lassen and mountainous Whiskeytown, with year-round sunny days and the gleaming Sacramento River running right through it, Redding is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream.
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Sonoma for Film, Food, Wine, Fun!
Exquisite food events, extraordinary wine tastings, exceptional films, and super fun parties: Spring into Sonoma March 22 - 26 for the West’s best film, food, and wine extravaganza.
View Big Foot in the Big Trees
When dinosaurs roamed the earth they shared space with giant sequoias, the biggest trees in the world. Get up close to these bold beauties on a docent-led snowshoe trek in Calaveras Big Trees State Park.
ViewStay at Wuksachi Lodge in Sequoia National Park
Stay in a modern yet rustic lodge with vaulted wood-beam ceilings, grand stone fireplaces, panoramic windows overlooking a snow-filled forest, and jagged mountain peaks all around. Wuksachi Lodge in Sequoia National Park has adventure trails leaving right from its lobby.
ViewGetty Up
Leave the congestion of the 405 behind on this 3-mile hike at Getty View Park. It’s an oasis high above the freeway that delivers wide-open views of Los Angeles and the iconic Getty Center.
ViewSkull On!
Temescal Canyon not only has epic views, it's got a waterfall right now, one that only shows after big rains. Head out on this 4.6-mile loop.
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Best in Snow
There’s snow better destination for outdoor fun and events. Plumas County is a northern Sierra Nevada dreamland, with vast outdoor spaces, places, and races! Snowshoe Lassen Volcanic National Park, downhill ski at charming Coppervale Resort, and have a blast at the quirky Longboard Races.
View Switzer-Land!
Recent rains make the next several weeks a good time to visit Switzer Falls, a 50-foot two-tiered tumbler that roars after rains. There are a few ways to reach the waterfall, some more reliable than others. We recommend the 3.6-mile (round-trip) trail through a fragrant, shaded canyon paralleling a year-round stream to Switzer’s lower falls.
ViewGood Will Huntington
Trying to get your fill of art and culture can be tricky. Do you visit the science center, an art museum, or some botanical gardens? Visit all three at Huntington Library, a sprawling Pasadena-area estate that includes 120 acres of botanical beauty ranging from jungle to desert to Japanese and Chinese gardens with bridges, patios, and waterfalls.
ViewPierce Scribes
A writer’s words can last forever, but where do the writers themselves go to be immortalized? LA’s Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Memorial Park is the final resting spot for many great authors (and movie stars). A stroll around the hidden 2.5-acre park lets you pay your respects to lit greats.
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POST's 2023 Hiking Calendar
Start the new year off right by heading outdoors for a hike. Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST) curated a (complimentary) 2023 hiking calendar that provides all the inspiration you’ll need!
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The Holiday Spirit of San Ramon
From a holiday ice rink and mistletoe hikes to outdoor fire pits for cozy winter nights, here’s your San Ramon holiday getaway guide
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Weekend in Reno Tahoe
Weekend plans? Reno Tahoe! Just a few hours by car or a short flight away, Reno Tahoe springs to the moment with great ways to combine adventure and relaxation in its beautiful mountains-meets-desert setting.
Reno Tahoe's Unique Spring Fun
Your Inbox to the Outdoors
Stay up to date with our weekly recommendations on where to explore locally in California.