Great Outdoors Weekend In California

“Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you.” ~ Frank Lloyd Wright

Living in California has endless advantages when it comes to nature; from the ocean to mountains to desert to forest and there is always an opportunity for a new adventure. Moving beyond the relaxing beaches and vineyards, let’s talk hiking, skiing, riding.

National Parks

Death Valley national park, Yosemite national park, Point Reyes national seashore, Joshua Tree national park, Lassen Volcanic national park, Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks, Pinnacles national park, Devils Postpile national monument, King Range national conservation area, Redwood national and state parks. (And if you are looking for camping spots, you might want to check out the team at Hip Camp to book over 285,000 campsites, ranches, vineyards, farms, public parks and more)

Hiking

See any of the National Parks above, but specifically:  Broken Hill, Torrey Pines State Reserve, San Diego \ The Goat Canyon Trestle, Anza Borrego State Park \ Smugglers Cove, Santa Barbara Island, Channel Islands National Park \ Lost Palms Oasis, Joshua Tree National Park \ Moro Rock, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park \ Golden Canyon, Death Valley National Park \ Meysan Lakes, John Muir Wilderness, Inyo National Forest \ Mist Trail, Yosemite National Park \ Bumpass Hell, Lassen National Park \ Fern Canyon, Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park

Lake Life

Lake listings are quite extensive for California given the size of the state and diverse terrain. If you live in Los Angeles you have probably been to LakeArrowhead and Big Bear Lake, but there are so many others depending on how far you are willing to travel. That said, here are some of the best lakes in the state of California: Lake Tahoe. Clear Lake. Shasta Lake. Lake Oroville. Donner Lake. Lake Almanor, Big Bear Lake. Lake Sonoma.

Dude Ranch

Found this handy list of Dude Ranches in California will have you embracing your inner cowgirl. Top picks include V6 Ranch, Marble Mountain Ranch, Alisal Guest Ranch & Resort, Hunewill Circle H Guest Ranch, Rankin Ranch, Greenhorn Creek Guest Ranch

Skiing

Review the Ski California dedicated website for full details, though popular destinations remain Mammoth, Big Bear, Squaw Valley, Lake Tahoe, Heavenly Mountain, Kirkwood