outdoor adventures San Onofre State Beach 134 Hike in Red Rock Canyon Soaring towers of white, red, and pink sandstone are unexpected in the Golden State, making this state park-just 120 miles north of Los Angeles-a Mojave Desert gem. The formations were carved by wind and water and are treasured by desert lovers looking to escape national park crowds. Climb the multi-colored cliffs, caves, and red rock towers in Red Cliffs Natural Preserve or amble past bizarre rock formations on the mile-long Hagen Canyon Trail, just outside the park. FROM TOP: STUDIO MELCHIOR/STOCKSY, CHRISTIAN HEEB/LAIF/REDUX; OPPOSITE PAGE: ANDREW PEACOCK/GETTY IMAGES 133 Ride the Waves Watch a surfer catch a ride at breaks such as Steamer Lane in Santa Cruz or Malibu's Surfrider Beach, and you'll be tempted to hit the waves yourself. So just do it. Because surfing is all about the connections-to the ocean and a California tradition that began with the obsession of a few free-spirited rebels camping on the sands of San Onofre in Orange County or at Rincon Point near Santa Barbara. Surfing grew into a sport that's now synonymous with the Golden State-in 2018, the state assembly voted to enshrine surfing as California's official sport.