Hikes & Adventures24 guides
Hikes & AdventuresStatewide
Best Natural Hot Springs in California: Where to Soak
California’s best natural hot springs on 395, in the desert and along the Kern, with road access, current closures, safety rules and soaking etiquette.
4 min read
Hikes & AdventuresNorthern California
Best Waterfalls in Northern California and How to Hike Them
Northern California’s best waterfalls, including Burney, McCloud, Whiskeytown, Feather and Alamere Falls, with trail distances, seasons and parking tips.
4 min read
Hikes & AdventuresSierra Nevada
How to Hike Mount Whitney: Permits, Training and Gear
How to hike Mount Whitney: the Recreation.gov permit lottery, day hike or overnight plans, training and altitude, the gear list and a summit day strategy.
3 min read
Hikes & AdventuresStatewide
California Wildflowers: Where and When to See a Superbloom
Where and when to see California wildflowers and superblooms, with typical peak months for each region, bloom report sources and trail etiquette.
3 min read
Hikes & AdventuresSierra Nevada
Skiing Mammoth for First-Timers: Lessons, Lodges and Tips
A first-timer’s guide to skiing and snowboarding Mammoth: the best base lodge for beginners, lessons, rentals, lift tickets, altitude and winter driving.
3 min read
Hikes & AdventuresSierra Nevada
10 Best Day Hikes in Yosemite, Easy to Strenuous
The 10 best day hikes in Yosemite National Park, ranked easy to strenuous, with distances, elevation gain, best seasons and how to beat trailhead crowds.
4 min read
Hikes & AdventuresSouthern California
Trans-Catalina Trail Guide: Permits, Camps and Itinerary
How to hike the Trans-Catalina Trail: the free hiking permit, booking campsites, ferries, water planning, gear and a 4 to 5 day Avalon to Two Harbors plan.
3 min read
Hikes & AdventuresSouthern California
Best Tide Pools in Southern California and When to Go
The best tide pools in Southern California, with current closures, how to read a tide chart, what you’ll see and the rules at Cabrillo and Laguna Beach.
4 min read
Hikes & AdventuresSierra Nevada
Kayaking and Paddleboarding Lake Tahoe: Where to Launch
Where to kayak and paddleboard Lake Tahoe, with launch spots at Emerald Bay, Sand Harbor and Kings Beach, rentals, wind timing and cold water safety.
3 min read
Hikes & AdventuresSierra Nevada
Where to See Giant Sequoias in California: Best Groves
Where to see giant sequoias in California: Sequoia and Kings Canyon, Yosemite’s groves and Calaveras Big Trees compared, with trails and fire closure notes.
4 min read
Hikes & AdventuresSouthern California
La Jolla Sea Caves and Channel Islands Kayaking Guide
How to kayak the La Jolla sea caves and Santa Cruz Island: tours vs rentals, launch spots, best months, ferry tips and the swell rules that keep you safe.
4 min read
Hikes & AdventuresSierra Nevada
How to Visit the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest
Plan a trip to the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest: the drive from Big Pine, Schulman and Patriarch groves, the best trails, fees and when the road opens.
3 min read
Hikes & AdventuresDesert
California Desert 4x4 Trails: Anza-Borrego to Mojave
The best desert 4x4 roads in California, from Fonts Point and Titus Canyon to the Mojave Road, with the vehicle you need, the season and gear to carry.
4 min read
Hikes & AdventuresSouthern California
Best Beginner Surf Beaches in Southern California
Where to learn to surf in Southern California and where to watch the pros, from La Jolla Shores and San Onofre to Malibu, Huntington Pier and Trestles.
3 min read
Hikes & AdventuresStatewide
California Stargazing Guide: Best Dark Sky Spots
Where to see the Milky Way in California, from Death Valley and Joshua Tree to Borrego Springs and the Eastern Sierra, plus timing and photo settings.
3 min read
Hikes & AdventuresDesert
Best Slot Canyons in California: Borrego to Death Valley
California’s best slot canyon hikes, from The Slot and Ladder Canyon to Mosaic and Sidewinder in Death Valley, with road access, season and flood safety.
3 min read
Hikes & AdventuresSierra Nevada
Mist Trail Guide: Hiking to Vernal and Nevada Falls
How to hike Yosemite’s Mist Trail to Vernal and Nevada Falls: distances, the granite steps, parking and shuttles, the best season and what to pack.
3 min read
Hikes & AdventuresCentral Coast
Best Coastal Hikes in Big Sur: Point Lobos to McWay
The best coastal hikes in Big Sur, from Point Lobos and Soberanes Point to Andrew Molera and Partington Cove, with trail stats and Highway 1 tips.
3 min read
Hikes & AdventuresSierra Nevada
Mammoth Lakes Basin Guide: Hiking, Fishing and Kayaking
Plan a summer day in the Mammoth Lakes Basin: which lakes to paddle and fish, hikes like Duck Pass and Crystal Lake, boat rentals and the free trolley.
3 min read
Hikes & AdventuresSierra Nevada
How to Visit Mono Lake: Tufa, Sunrise and Kayaking
Plan a Mono Lake visit: South Tufa and the best sunrise spots, kayaking from Navy Beach, bird nesting rules, and what to see nearby in Lee Vining.
3 min read
Hikes & AdventuresCentral Coast
Point Lobos State Natural Reserve: Trails, Parking and Tips
Plan a visit to Point Lobos near Carmel: where to park, the best trails, China Cove, Whalers Cabin, dog rules, the best time to go and what to pair it with.
4 min read
Hikes & AdventuresSierra Nevada
Emerald Bay, Lake Tahoe: Vikingsholm, Hikes and Parking
How to visit Emerald Bay in Lake Tahoe: Inspiration Point, the Vikingsholm Trail, Eagle Falls, the Rubicon Trail, kayaking, parking and Highway 89 closures.
5 min read
Hikes & AdventuresStatewide
California Whale Watching Guide: Best Seasons and Ports
When and where to go whale watching in California: gray, humpback and blue whale seasons, the best ports, picking a boat, seasickness tips and shore spots.
4 min read
Hikes & AdventuresCentral Coast
Moss Landing and Elkhorn Slough: Sea Otters and Kayaking
See sea otters in Elkhorn Slough: kayak rentals, pontoon wildlife tours, reserve trails, Kirby Park, harbor food, and how to pair it with Monterey.
3 min read