All Stories from Southern CA

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  NEW! Walkin' and Talkin': Break Bread, Go On a Panoramic Hike

  What’s a world-traveling, medal-winning baker’s favorite local hike? Weekend Sherpa co-founder Brad Day caught up with Mike Zakowski (aka Mike the Baker) at Sonoma’s Friday farmers' market, where his wood-fired loaves draw loyal crowds. Between bites of fresh-baked bread, they talk baking, travel, and why Sonoma's Overlook Trail is one of his favorite quick, panoramic hikes.

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  New Year, New Goal: IRONMAN 70.3 Northern California

  2026 is off and running! And swimming. And biking. Don't get left behind! Commit to one of the upcoming year’s most exciting endurance events—IRONMAN 70.3 Northern California in Redding.

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  Into the Mystic

  Venture into the Cave of Munits in West Hills, a magnificent cavern that was a place of deep spiritual importance to the Chumash people. Legend says this cave was once home to a powerful shaman who was killed after he took the life of a chief's son.

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  Santa Monica’s Most Beautiful Walk

  With its sweeping views of Santa Monica Bay and the Santa Monica Pier, the 26-acre Palisades Park, perched along the beach bluffs, may be a tourist’s delight for its quintessential California vibes–but it’s just as beloved by locals. Follow this 2.5-mile loop to experience it like one.

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  Redding Lights and Silent Nights

  Give your holiday events calendar a major glow up this winter in California’s sunniest city. Redding is a revelation: Surrounded by iconic scenery like Mount Shasta, Lassen Volcanic National Park, and Whiskeytown National Recreation Area.

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  Level Up With Lawson Peak

  This fall, channel your inner autumn adventurer and celebrate rock-tober on a most epic summit hike—Lawson Peak.

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  Summit Sycuan Peak

  Most visitors to San Diego County's quaint town of Jamul aren't familiar with one of its hiking gems. Sycuan Peak is a short-and-sweet-and-steep leg buster with nearly 800 feet of gain over just 2 miles (round-trip). Fantastic views at the top? You can bet on it!

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  Hollenbeck Hiking

  One bona fide Jamul gem thoroughly takes advantage of these fall features: the Hollenbeck Canyon Wildlife Area. Gone (mostly) is the deep heat of summer and what arrives is special: golden hillsides, soft breezes, and trails bathed in long, late-day shadows.

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  Fall Coastal Hikes Guide

  Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST) is ready to fill your fall with bluffside trails, tranquil beaches, whale watching, a haunted distillery, and seasonal sweet treats.

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  Gentle Giants

  Some people visit national parks to marvel at the iconic sights, while others come seeking solitude in nature. With visitation on the rise, it can be hard to find both. But in Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, this pair of trails offers both....

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  Welcome to the Ice Age

  Only in LA can you stumble upon a lake of bubbling black goo right in the middle of the city—complete with a life-size family of mammoths frozen in time. Take a whiff and you’ll catch the unmistakable scent of asphalt: Yep, you’ve made it to the La Brea Tar Pits & Museum.

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  Fall for It All in Reno Tahoe

  The best kind of getaway? Less time on logistics, more time on memory-making. Jackpot! You’ve got Reno Tahoe.

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  Chase Fall Colors & Family Fun in Reno Tahoe

  Ready to Reno? We’re so with you! Reno Tahoe is the ultimate urban basecamp for gathering family and friends for all kinds of fall fun and festivities.

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  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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  Whatever Floats Your Boat!

  The Truckee River is one of the cleanest and most well-preserved rivers you’ll ever see thanks to dedicated local efforts. And it flows right through downtown Reno. Get your fill of this refreshing river by joining a guided rafting tour or get a refreshment at a riverside restaurant and watch rafts, kayaks and tubers float by. 

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  Go for a Gold Rush

  Nestled in the Sierra Nevada foothills, Columbia State Historic Park is a preserved Gold Rush town that transports you back to the 1850s.

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  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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  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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  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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  Locals' Feature: Jim Litchfield, Owner of Reno Fly Shop

  If there's a river, you're likely to find Jim Litchfield there. As the owner of Reno Fly Shop, Nevada's premier fly fishing outfitter and shop, Jim's passion for rivers knows no bounds: he's fished in places near and far, including Alaska, Bolivia and Christmas Island. But home is beautiful Reno, where he has been running Reno Fly Shop and leading tailored river float and fly fishing adventures (including beginner-friendly options) for over a decade.

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