If you only take one hiking trip in 2012, make your destination Sandstone Peak, the highest summit in the Santa Monica Mountains. If you are a veteran hiker, Sandstone Peak is likely to rank among your favorite trips, and if you’ve never been on a hike, this is one that’s worth training for. more ›

No matter what your New Year's Resolution is for 2012, there's an excellent chance that hiking can help you achieve it. Hiking has obvious benefits when it comes to health-oriented goals, such as losing weight, but it can play a role in many different kinds of resolutions. more ›

As popular as it is, Black Star Canyon Falls has an air of mystery about it. Some describe it as a routine, moderately challenging hike; others tell horror stories of rampant poison oak in the canyon and violent drifters who prey on hikers. more ›

The story has a familiar ring to it. A young man from humble Midwestern beginnings moves west, seeking the fame and fortune that those before him have found in California. He starts a grocery store, builds a successful chain, and after selling it, plans his retirement. But there's a dark side to the California dream. more ›

Every weekend I say to myself, "I'm going to escape this cement jungle and go get out to somewhere green", which is easier said then done. Yet each weekend rolls by and I never seem to be able to leave my 10 mile bubble radius of Silver Lake. Feeling completely guilt ridden for not taking the advantage of the abundant nature that surrounds LA (within a thirty minute drive); I went out to Malibu. Allergy medicine loaded, water, and camera in hand I set out with friends to explore Corral Canyon Trail, Point Dume State Beach and indulge in some deep fried seafood at Malibu Seafood. more ›

Though it may not have the scenic majesty of Morro Bay or the woodsy seclusion of Big Sur, San Simeon State Park is one of the quiet wonders of the California seaside. Located just a few miles south of fabled Hearst Castle, San Simeon offers two campground sites (San Simeon or Washburn) where you can set up home base for a long weekend. It's a short walk to cool, lightly populated beaches where you might stumble across an entire pack of elephant seals stretching out in the sun. You can also hike several miles of trails, some of which descend into seasonal wetlands, and others that plateau on top of vast seaside vistas. more ›

In the comments section of the Franklin Canyon Wednesday Workout post, we were chatting about a supposed plaque that marked the center of Los Angeles. Despite my familiarity with the park, I had never seen it. So, the search was on. And it wasn't that hard as, of course, Franklin Canyon staff had it clearly marked on a free map available at the Sooky Goldman Nature Center within the park. more ›

We have one Sooky Goldman to thank for the treasure that is Franklin Canyon, which sounds like a subplot out of "Chinatown": more ›

Thursday's Metro Board meeting to hear public comment and vote on new fares for public transportation in Los Angeles was, simply put, an amazing scene. An estimated 1500 people showed up with approximately 1498 of them opposing the insanely high raised fares (try 500% for some passes). During public comment, speakers spoke with passion, anger, tears and fury. One of the day's best quotes came from a woman who held her baby in her... more ›