California Hiking and Backpacking Travel Guide

Top Hiking and Backpacking Destinations	Related Travel Guides	Find Hotels
Lake Tahoe		Hotels
Yosemite National Park		Hotels
Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest		Hotels
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park		Hotels
Sacramento		Hotels
Inyo National Forest		Hotels
John Muir Wilderness Area		Hotels
Lassen Volcanic National Park		Hotels
Shasta-Trinity National Forests		Hotels
Trinity Alps Wilderness Area		Hotels

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11 Questions | 10 Answers

My husband is working in Los Angeles and I'm in Chicago. I'm flying out in a couple weeks to see him and he is going to be busy and I want to see as much as I can while I'm there. I will be there for 5 days. I never been there and this gives me a chance to see Los Angeles and the surrounding areas. How is Catalina and how far is it for Los Angeles?
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My wife, my two daughters (9 and 12), and I will travel to Los Angeles during the Thanksgiving week. We'll arrive to Los Angeles and we'll return from San Francisco a week after. I'm looking for books about things to do in California, and I found thousands of them. May you recommend a site or book to recommend how to know and to enjoy (with kids) this week? Our idea is to rent a car in Los Angeles and know the near important places before to go to San Francisco. Any recommendation would be welcome. Thanks in advance.
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Our family we be vacationing the San Diego area next week, I would like to do some Pier fishing do I need a permit jusy for a couple of days? If so where can I acquire a permit, before I go?
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The Secrets Life of Deserts
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In these grand landscapes, there's hidden vitality and subtle beauty. Find adventure and renewal—not to mention some tasty tequila—at five fine oases in the Southwest and Mexico.
Yosemite National Park
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Hike to Sweet Solitude in the Sierra
California's Secret Stash
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The Big River's been saved—and just in time. Here's how to enjoy the northern coast's newest playground and its spectacular environs.
There's Something in the Rocks
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Beyond the top ropes and chalk stains, Joshua Tree's famous granite reveals its more mysterious faces.
Going Big
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Hi, Sierra! An 11-year-old flatlander is introduced to California's rugged trails.

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Backyard Playgrounds
Whether it’s for a few hours or a few days, we’ve all got to get away sometime. Since we can’t always explore the Amazon after work or trek Tibet in a weekend, we bring you an inspired list of the country’s best city-centric, all-natural playgrounds—ones within city limits, and ones just beyond the suburban sprawl—tailor-made for bite-sized bursts of urban adventuring.
High-Sierra Majesty: Inyo National Forest, California
GORP's Top 10 Autumn Escapes: Fall's Best Forests

Adventure Travel 101
GORPTravel’s Kate Tucker and Linda Long answer our burning questions about the tao of adventure travel
Day Hiking: A Packing List
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Backpacking: A Packing List
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GORP - Recovering from a Dislocated Joint - Dislocated Joints in the Backcountry
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GORP - Dislocated Knee - Dislocated Joints in the Backcountry
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Sonoma Valley Wine Tasting Trek
Wine Country Trekking
from $950, 4 days
Enjoy this four day trek vacation which is designed for those who enjoy wine and want to spend their time exclusively in the Wine Country. You will...
Sequoia High Sierra Camp
Sequoia High Sierra Camp
from $300, 7 days
The Sequoia High Sierra Camp, located in the Giant Sequoia National Monument, combines the best aspects of a wilderness tent camp adventure - with the furnishings and guest amenities of a deluxe hotel. ......
San Francisco to Mount Tamalpais Trek
Wine Country Trekking
from $1050, 5 days
This 5 day/4 night trek vacation beautifully combines city elegance with fabulous hikes and natural beauty. The trek begins in San Francisco,...
Mount Tamalpais to the Wine Country Trek
Wine Country Trekking
from $1500, 6 days
Enjoy this six day trek vacation which traverses beautiful Mount Tamalpais and finishes in the Wine Country. You will visit Sausalito and Muir...
Napa Valley Wine Tasting Trek
Wine Country Trekking
from $1350, 5 days
Enjoy this five day trek vacation which traverses the heart of Napa Valley's wine country, from Yountville with its unparalleled fine dining, to...

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Osprey Exos 46 Backpack
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Women's Hiking
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Therm-a-Rest ProLite 3 and Trekker Chair
The best sleeping pad and chair-maker
The Gear You Need: Mountain Trekking in Peru
Save for dense snow cover and crampon-required icefields, if you’re looking to outfit yourself for trekking in places like the Peruvian Andes, we’ve got the goods.
Complete Gear Archives: Day-Hiking, Backpacking, and Trekking
From in-depth gear review articles and Gear Guy Q&A highlights to the latest—and past—entries in Outside magazine’s award-giving Summer and Winter Buyer’s Guides, a detailed overview of all things hiking.