All Stories from Southern CA

• 

  Rancho Style

  Vicente Bluffs Reserve dazzles anytime, but during the golden hour it’s an absolute knockout. Majestic rocky bluffs, dreamy ocean views, and a picturesque lighthouse are just a few of the reasons.

  View
• 
  Sponsored

  A Very Bavarian Spring

  Ready to change up your spring scenery? Pack your bags for this alpine adventure in Washington State’s Cascade Mountains. The Bavarian-style hamlet of Leavenworth could be a stand-in for a mountain village in Europe.

  View
• 

  All in for Agua Hedionda

  The stunning San Diego coastline is no secret—it’s got some of the most pristine sandy shorelines in the world. But just beyond some of those stretches lie beautiful, less-frequented hidden gems: lagoons! For some oar-some kayaking and a few short and sweet hiking trails, choose Agua Hedionda.

  View
• 

  Be Dune-spired!

  There’s only one urban park on the planet that helped inspire a major theme in Frank Herbert’s 1965 sci-fi book, Dune. Herbert was born and raised in Tacoma, and Dune Peninsula at Point Defiance Park is named in honor of his famous novel—a tribute to one of the book’s main ideas ...

  View
• 

  Tacoma Time

  Idyllically located on the banks of Puget Sound, Tacoma bustles with abundant outdoors, a lively urban center, and the beautiful Ruston Way Waterfront, which connects downtown to one of America’s preeminent urban parks: Point Defiance Park.

  View
• 

  The Beauty of Bainbridge Island

  You know a place is special when locals head to it for their in-state vacations. Follow the lead of Seattleites and venture to beautiful Bainbridge Island in the heart of Puget Sound on the Kitsap Peninsula. Hike the Grand Forest here, meet Pia the Peacekeeper, and enjoy tasty food and drinks.

  View
• 

  Little Norway

  There aren’t many small towns in America that look and feel like Europe, but Washington State sure seems to have a few! Lesser known among them is Poulsbo on the Kitsap Peninsula. Dubbed “Little Norway,” this hamlet on the waterfront of Liberty Bay is charmed with Scandinavian influence.  

  View
• 

  Go Big in Bremerton

  Make your way to the largest city on the Kitsap Peninsula, Bremerton. Best known for its naval and maritime heritage, there’s also plenty of outdoors to explore, including a hidden treasure within the Puget Sound Basin: the Keta Legacy Foundation Rhododendron Preserve.

  View
• 
  Sponsored

  Spring Up to These Amazing Events

  Shake it up, shake it all the way up to this sunniest city in the state for the most unique and fun-fueled events. Redding is true Northern California, surrounded by famous mountains, nearby national parks and recreation areas, and the sparkling Sacramento River.

  View
• 

  Dume in Bloom

  During wildflower season, nature puts on a spectacular show, and one the best places to see it is at Point Dume Natural Preserve in Malibu. 

  View
• 

  Mosaic of Mugu

  Point Mugu State Park in spring is at its peak, literally. Experience verdant landscapes, prime ocean views, and wildflowers blooming on a 5-mile hike winding through La Jolla Valley Preserve and topping off at Mugu Peak. 

  View
• 
  Sponsored

  2024 Wildflower Walks Guide

  After spring rain … comes a rainbow of wildflowers! And the Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST) is sharing the best places for seeing bountiful blossoms in their complimentary 2024 Wildflower Walks Guide.

  View
• 

  Caves in Mojave

  No one expects to see caves when they visit the desert, and that’s part of what makes Mitchell Caverns in the Mojave Desert such an interesting place. Go on a two-hour guided adventure tour through Mitchell Caverns in Providence Mountains State Recreation Area.

  View
• 
  Sponsored

  Port of Call

  Nestled by the sea on the majestic Olympic Peninsula in Washington State, Port Townsend is for travelers who treasure small town charm and natural beauty.

  View
• 
  Sponsored

  Marin Wildflower Guide!

  Thanks to winter’s wet weather, wildflowers are going to be showstoppers this spring! Get the best in blooms with a complimentary Marin Wildflower Guide.

  View
• 
  Sponsored

  Favorite Spring Color? North Lake Tahoe Blue

  Where do you go to make spring twice as nice? North Lake Tahoe, naturally! Spring here offers perfect pairings that are fun for everyone, like snow sports in the morning followed by a relaxing lakeside afternoon.

  View
• 

  Calcite Mine Loop

  In the remote eastern section of the massive Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, the 4.3-mile (round-trip, out-and-back) Calcite Mine route checks all the boxes for an Anza-Borrego highlight hike; and in the spring, adds a bonus blanket of wildflower blooms.

  View
• 

  William Kenyon Overlook

  Some of the best vistas of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park are easily accessible via a short and sweet 1.25-mile (round-trip) hike just off the CA-78. Enter your next favorite desert viewpoint: the William Kenyon Overlook.

  View
• 

  Culp Valley Overlook

  The next time you plan on heading down the 3,000-foot grade to Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, take a pit stop at the 2.25-mile (round-trip) Culp Valley Overlook Trail.

  View
• 

  Au Natural

  Natural Bridge is a short, sweet canyon hike in Death Valley National Park with—you guessed it—a natural bridge formation that’s wholly unique for being, well, rough around the edges.

  View