Book these campsites near L.A. now to bask in wildflowers come spring
One Sunday morning in March 2019, I asked my wife to get in the car and go on a road trip with me. I decided…
3 Mount Wilson hikes to learn about L.A.’s space exploration history
I grew up in a rural place with minimal light pollution. When I looked up to the night sky, I could see layers of stars…
Big Santa Anita Canyon is open. Here’s how to hike the L.A. oasis
Four years after the Bobcat fire and subsequent floods tore through Angeles National Forest, the pristine mountain wonderland of Big Santa Anita Canyon near Sierra…
6 helpful nature apps that will enhance every hike
I used to believe that the last thing I wanted to do on a hike was pull out my phone. That’s one of the reasons…
3 hikes that avoid the Southern California wildfires
A week before Los Angeles shut down in spring 2020, my two friends, wife, dog and I hiked the Bridge to Nowhere. Setting off into…
Bears don’t hibernate in L.A. How to stay safe from them on trails
I was drifting to sleep in my tent, soothed by the crisp night air, when I heard one word that jarred me back to reality.…
4 tips for how to start rock climbing in and around L.A.
I’ve never enjoyed walking into a gym. Growing up as a fat kid, I have enough traumatic memories around exercise to fill several therapy sessions.…
These day hikes in Kings Canyon National Park are uncrowded and serene
Hiking in and around L.A. can often feel like its own mini-vacation. Our local public lands offer many different types of escape, whether you want…
Why hiking early in Los Angeles is worth getting out of bed
I’ve never regretted getting up early for a hike.I had that realization on my favorite trail near Pasadena last week, as I breathed in the…
It’s a full moon weekend. Here’s where to hike in L.A.
My coworkers and I were deep in conversation when we all gasped. We’d crested a hill in Griffith Park, and rising just as we did…
It’s rattlesnake season in L.A. Here’s how to stay safe
My good friend Bob and I were hiking to Strawberry Peak when she abruptly said, “Stop.” That’s our code for danger. Bob and I hike…
3 L.A. trails to hike before jumping straight into a lake
This time of year, I start to feel a little trapped by the heat.Don’t get me wrong, I understand the No. 1 rule of hiking…
How to volunteer at the L.A. County raptor rescue in San Dimas
Clockwise from left: A barn owl sits in its cage; a poster of owls; Olivia Miseroy, regional park superintendent, holds an animal ambassador barn owl…
This Southern California challenge will help you hike higher peaks
I remember feeling kind of like a celebrity in that Chipotle in Upland.It was a Thursday in 2021, and my dog and I had just…
This perfect summer L.A. hike has free parking, shade and a waterfall
Editor’s note: This newsletter is all about featuring a variety of exciting voices from SoCal’s outdoors scene. Starting this month, that voice belongs to Times…
My brother died too soon. How his passing inspired me to hike L.A.
Editor’s note: This newsletter is all about featuring a variety of exciting voices from SoCal’s outdoors scene. Starting this week, that voice belongs to Times…
4 great L.A. hikes that offer treats near the trails
When I was section hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, I met a thru-hiker (trail name: Toots Magoots) who shared a fun way she rewarded herself…
How to volunteer with seals, sea lions and elephant seals in L.A.
When a sea lion is found stranded anywhere between Long Beach and Malibu, chances are a volunteer with the Marine Mammal Care Center in San…
4 hot weather L.A. hikes and tips for how to tackle them
It’s here. The first inevitable heat wave of the year has arrived in California after a cool and wet winter and spring. While the worst…
How to build a memorial for your pet in nature without leaving a trace
There’s no getting around it: Losing a pet is awful. No matter the circumstances, it leaves a hole in one’s heart that will never completely…