Issue link: https://bluemagazine.uberflip.com/i/25038
HIKE TEMESCAL CANYON 1 Hiking around the 3.5-mile loop in the Pacific Palisades is best done counterclockwise. Just bear right once you cross the creek. The gradual ascent leads you through a verdant valley, past a waterfall and local landmark Skull Rock, and then up, up, and then a little farther up to the spectacular view, spanning Malibu all the way to downtown LA. Get a bird's eye perspective of the extravagant (or tacky-you decide) canyon homes on your descent, which is best done near sunset. And for those exhibiting withdrawal symptoms, don't panic-there's a Starbuck's around the corner. The Temescal Canyon Association (31 0-459-593 1) sponsors free, guided day hikes every month. No pooches allowed. From Santa Monica, go west on Sunset, right on Temescal Canyon Road. Parking fee. RACE CARS AT SPEEDZONE If you cruise 45 minutes on the highway, you can burn some real rubber at SpeedZone (626-91 3-9663, 888-6-MALlBU, right off Highway 60), SoCal's premier car racing park in the City of Industry. Work out your road rage on the Turbotrack, a serpentine loop where 20 small-scale F40 Ferrari replicas vie for first place. For those tired of rush hour, strap into a half-scale replica of a Formula One and go head-to-head at 45 to 50 mph on the Grand Prix concourse. And for high octane freaks, there's the Top Eliminator, SpeedZone's exclusive drag strip. Test your fate in 18-foot, 300-horsepower dragsters that flatten your face speed ing from 0 to 70 mph in 3.5 seconds. FIVE HOUR RADIUS RIDE CORRAL CANYON A mountain biker's paradise awaits up in Corral Canyon in the green Santa Monica Mountains (one hour away without traffic). Off Pacific Coast Highway just north of Malibu Canyon and Pepperdine University. Head east up Corral Canyon Road (at the Union 76 gas station) and go up to the top where the road ends at a dirt parking lot. Look for a small dirt trail on the west side of the park ing lot and head down a moderate descent. At the bottom of the canyon you'll encounter several stream crossings and lush vegetation. The trail connects with Latigo and Kanan Dune canyons. The section of the trail from the Latigo parking lot is one of the best sections-fun descent with several switchbacks. Watch out for poison oak. For info call CORBA (Concerned Off-Road Bicycle Association) at 81 8-773-3555; corba@writeme.com. Call the National Park Service (805-370-2300) to make sure trails are open SURF OCEANSIDE Just north of San Diego lies the world-renowned beach town of Oceanside. Oceanside Pier is cited by many as one of the world's greatest breaks, offer ing year-round surfing and bodysurfing. You can watch the world-class masters in action in August, when Oceanside hosts the World Body Surfing Championships (1 4-1 5 August) and the 14th Annual Longboard Championships (28-30 August). 1-5 South, exit at Mission Avenue. 72