Kara Kieffer

Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, San Diego, Atlanta
Displaying results 1 - 25 of 26

  1. Santa Barbara Rock Gym - Climbing

    Santa Barbara

    The Santa Barbara Rock Gym features more than 8,500 square feet of climbing and bouldering in its facilities. While SBRG offers the usual birthday parties and belay lessons, they also pride themselves on taking climbers outdoors with lead clinics.

  2. Smugglers Cove - Hiking

    Santa Barbara

    The Channel Islands are a national park comprised of five moderately sized islands off the coast of Santa Barbara, California. Santa Cruz Island is both the largest island in the park, and also the largest island in California.

  3. Little Pine Mountain - Mountain Biking

    Santa Barbara

    Little Pine Mountain is considered one of the best mountain bike rides in Santa Barbara County. The loop combines a challenging climb with a thrilling downhill and takes several hours to complete.

  4. Santa Cruz Trail - Backpacking

    Santa Barbara

    This is one of the classic two day backpacking trips in the Santa Barbara area. Done as an out-and-back trek, this hike starts off winding through narrow sandstone canyons before climbing up and over a pass with views of the Los Padres mountains.

  5. Gaviota Wind Caves - Hiking

    Santa Barbara

    Just a mile from the ocean sits a unique geological formation; the Gaviota Wind Caves. Formed by thousands of years of on-shore winds, these unique and sculptural caves have a distinctly otherworldly feel, and make for an excellent morning hike.

  6. Lookout Park/Summerland Beach - Stand Up Paddle Boarding

    Santa Barbara

    Lookout Park is a small park in Summerland, Calif., set atop cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Where four acres of carefully groomed grass suddenly give way to the sweeping expanse of the ocean below.

  7. Gibraltar Rock - Climbing

    Santa Barbara

    One of the most popular and classic climbing destinations in the Santa Barbara area.

  8. Kuci7n63b9nehxlmtohi

    Yosemite's Little Sister: Exploring the Rarely Visited Domeland Wilderness

    Los Angeles

    Forget the crowds and possible price hikes at popular parks like Yosemite: Domeland Wilderness offers stunning landscapes, rock formations, and solitude galore.

  9. Scorpion Anchorage to Prisoner's Harbor on Santa Cruz Island - Backpacking

    Santa Barbara

    Located on California’s largest island and inside a national park, this hike traverses the eastern part of Santa Cruz Island.

  10. Goleta Beach Park - Stand Up Paddle Boarding

    Santa Barbara

    Protected by Campus Point and sprawling over 29 acres along the Pacific Ocean, Goleta Beach Park is an excellent place to venture out into the open ocean on your stand-up paddleboard.

  11. Cmvoa9bgpsuzzjkhtush

    4 Southern California Hot Springs for Backpackers Only

    Los Angeles, San Diego

    For a resplendent escape from the sprawl of the Los Angeles area, grab your backpack and bathing suit and explore these incredible hot springs in Southern California.

  12. Nfstuximhkbepuxavtji

    Diversity, Ego, and Mileage: The Struggle for Inclusivity in the Thru Hiking Community

    Atlanta, San Diego

    The exploding popularity of thru hiking has exposed some dark sides in the long-distance hiking community. Here, we look into why it's crucial to address those issues and create a more supportive, inclusive environment.

  13. Cl1yll2elcoavs7jiz69

    8 Great Camping Sites Near Los Angeles

    Los Angeles

    If you're looking for a convenient weekend getaway in LA, check out our favorite camping spots inside LA County.

  14. La2buzax9swj2wycgln3

    Three Days of Adventure in the Beach Cities of Los Angeles

    Los Angeles

    Have an adventurous weekend at Hermosa, Manhattan, and Redondo beaches in L.A.

  15. F2tdmkz0zxwjjneay6qp

    Fast Packing 50 Miles Across the John Muir Wilderness

    Los Angeles

    This trek through the John Muir Wilderness, though little known and even less publicized, embodies everything that makes the Sierra Nevada such a special mountain range.

  16. Qzssq6rcovncmxqsstur

    9 Unique Santa Barbara Events to Experience in Your Lifetime

    Santa Barbara

    Santa Barbara is an idyllic year-round vacation spot known for both its beaches and mountains. These nine events offer the perfect excuse to plan a trip to discover the town for yourself.

  17. Nuyyoixdwfklvgx1p5ub

    The Silver Moccasin Trail: LA's Forgotten Thru-Hike

    Los Angeles

    Unlike the ever-popular John Muir Trail and Pacific Crest Trail, almost nobody knows of the existence of the Silver Moccasin Trail—a 53 mile foot path that traverses Angeles National Forest through large sections of the gorgeous San Gabriel Wilderness.

  18. Romero Canyon Trail to Blue Canyon - Backpacking

    Santa Barbara

    This trip offers a taste of everything that the Santa Barbara mountains have to offer; a lush green canyon, gives way to sweeping views of the inland mountains, before descending to a quiet and secluded campground next to a creek.

  19. Lobo Canyon on Santa Rosa Island - Hiking

    Santa Barbara

    Lobo Canyon starts in the typical southern California desert environment before cutting down through a lush explosion of local fauna and finally ending at a tiny inlet beach.

  20. El Capitan State Beach - Surfing

    Santa Barbara

    The break at El Capitán State Beach is the stuff of local legends. When this right-hand point break goes off, it goes big, but when and if that might be can be difficult to pin down. When the right swell hits, you better be on that dawn patrol.

  21. Panic Town Crag - Climbing

    Santa Barbara

    Good crack climbing can be hard to find along the central coast, but thanks to dedicated work from some local climbers, there are now more than 60 trad lines at the Panic Town crag. Don’t let the longish approach deter you from truly quality climbing.

  22. San Ysidro Trail - Mountain Biking

    Santa Barbara

    A local favorite along the central coast, this ride provides a cruising upper section with a challenging and technical lower portion.

  23. Snyder Trail including Knapps Castle- Mountain Biking

    Santa Barbara

    The Snyder Trail is an out-and-back trail that runs through the heart of the Santa Barbara foothills. While the trail starts and ends on fire roads, the middle portion is full and flowing singletrack.

  24. Jalama Beach - Surfing

    Santa Barbara

    Tucked away on an isolated section of coastline sits a long stretch of beautiful sandy beach called Jalama. This area actually consists of three breaks and is a summer favorite with locals.

  25. Refugio State Beach - Surfing

    Santa Barbara

    Located in nearby Goleta, Calif., Refugio State Beach sits inside a beautiful and idyllic bay. The campground with its close proximity to the beach, pleasantly shaded campgrounds, and running creeks .