Where's a great place to take my dog hiking this weekend that's 1-2 hours from Lodi, Calif.? [more inside]
posted by DakotaPaul on Mar 1, 2013 - 4 answers

What are your favorite hikes in Shasta Trinity National Forest? [more inside]
posted by ethel on Oct 30, 2012 - 2 answers

Looking for camping and hiking spots in the Sierras and foothills where I can take our 4.5-year-old son and/or our dog. [more inside]
posted by DakotaPaul on May 29, 2012 - 6 answers

Yosemite trip with my parents: what not-ridiculously-hard hikes are best for my parents, who are in their late 50s? We're going this weekend (early October.) [more inside]
posted by soleiluna on Sep 30, 2011 - 8 answers

Things to do in the Eastern Sierras and Mono / Inyo counties, California! Your favorites? [more inside]
posted by jnnla on Jun 30, 2011 - 13 answers

My partner and I are in the early planning stages for a three-week vacation to California this November, and we need help with the hiking parts! [more inside]
posted by sabotagerabbit on May 30, 2011 - 19 answers

Help me plan a 3-day trip to Joshua Tree (CA). Or alternatively, suggest another really cool natural area to check out in Southern California in late January. I am in my cousin's wedding in the L.A. area and am coming with my girlfriend. We decided to take a few extra days--she's never been to California and I've only ever kept my visits to family time, usually in the OC area. We're renting a car, so we'll have transportation. Is late January a good time to go? Do you have any recommendations for gear rental (doubt I'll be able to climb, unfortunately)? I have gear at home in Michigan, but I'd like to travel light. If you have alternative suggestions--they can be around L.A.--I'd love to hear them. Thanks.
posted by SpicyMustard on Dec 16, 2010 - 15 answers

Looking for some suggestions for camp sites in the vicinity of Southern California for a camping trip this weekend. Amenities-wise the basics would work fine - water, a fire pit, and level ground to pitch our tent. Anything above and beyond that is icing. The campsite must allow dogs (we plan on bringing our pug, Hoggle). We really enjoy trail hiking and solitude and we most likely won't be doing any kind of water-related activities, although picturesque lakes and streams are a plus. Past places we've enjoyed camping at: -Coral Pink Sand Dunes - outside of Kanab, UT -Tanner's Flat Campground - UT -Fernwood Lodge - Big Sur, CA -Joshua Tree State Park -Malibu Creek State Park This is going to be a weekend trip so the driving distance has to be manageable. So, please, no recommendations for Redwoods National Park or Zion or something like that.
posted by AsRuinsAreToRome on Oct 26, 2010 - 9 answers

I'm going to be in Nevada City, California for work next week, and I'm planning to add on an extra personal day or two to the trip. What town to stay in for the personal day to best enable fun activities, and what to do? [more inside]
posted by soleiluna on Jun 15, 2010 - 9 answers

Hiking, biking, camping in the Klamath Falls/Crater Lake, Southern Central Oregon area? [more inside]
posted by telstar on Jun 18, 2009 - 4 answers

Where in Northern or Central California is a good place to vacation in late April/Early May with swimming pools, movie stars, hot springs, massage, day hikes and/or B&Bs with vacancies? [more inside]
posted by BrotherCaine on Mar 24, 2009 - 8 answers

Where can I go camping within a day's drive of L.A. this coming weekend? [more inside]
posted by drjimmy11 on Feb 11, 2009 - 13 answers

Camping recommendations in/near Lassen National Park? Also, hiking/fishing spots? [more inside]
posted by mudpuppie on Aug 9, 2008 - 5 answers

Where are some good day-hike areas along the CA central coast? [more inside]
posted by kdar on Mar 12, 2008 - 8 answers

HikinginNorthernCaliforniaoverLaborDayWeekendFilter: Help me figure out the best place for a small group to go hiking and camping for two/three days, within a (half-)day's drive of Oakland/Berkeley. [more inside]
posted by kittyprecious on Aug 27, 2006 - 7 answers

Am I crazy to spend only 1 day (2 nights) in the Yosemite Park area? We've got a limited budget, and Yosemite is just one stop in our road trip down the PCH. [more inside]
posted by blastrid on Jul 14, 2006 - 22 answers

I love Bay Area Hiker (that's San Francisco Bay) — do you know of any great hiking sites for other regions of California? [more inside]
posted by DakotaPaul on Apr 28, 2006 - 9 answers

I'm looking for things to do in Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks this Veteran's Day weekend. [more inside]
posted by DakotaPaul on Nov 8, 2005 - 3 answers

Due to a lucky alignment of stars, I have a 5 day vacation slot appear out of nowhere. I semi-randomly picked a destination: on Tuesday night I am flying out to Los Angeles, renting a car and driving into desert. What must I see/do? [more inside]
posted by blindcarboncopy on Mar 20, 2005 - 12 answers