- OutdoorSoCal
- Posts
- New SoCal National Monument // Biggest wave ever surfed? // New Fallbrook skatepark
New SoCal National Monument // Biggest wave ever surfed? // New Fallbrook skatepark
OutdoorSoCal Newsletter January 7, 2025
Chris Emery
January 07, 2025
In today’s newsletter,
Biden designates new national monument near Joshua Tree
California gets big waves - maybe the biggest?
Fallbrook has broken ground on a large skatepark
Santa Ana winds are the last thing SoCal needs right now
News
Ladder Canyon Trail in Mecca Hills Wilderness is within the new Chuckwalla National Monument
Biden Designates New SoCal National Monument and Expands Joshua Tree
President Joe Biden today is expected to announce the designation of the Chuckwalla National Monument in Southern California, protecting 600,000 acres of desert habitat southeast of Joshua Tree. The order will create another national monument in Northern California and may also expand Joshua Tree National Park.
SoCal Winter Brings Solid Surfing
While the weather here in SoCal has been dry and mild, multiple winter storms in the northwest Pacific have kept California surfers stoked. This Surfine feature gives a rundown and many photos of the epic run.
Speaking of big waves…
On December 23, Santa Cruz surfer Alessandro “Alo” Slebi caught a massive wave at California’s infamous Mavericks break, potentially putting him in contention for the biggest wave of the year, if not the biggest wave ever.
Fallbrook Breaks Ground on New Skatepark
Construction on a new skatepark is underway in Fallbrook. Fallbrook Skatepark is being built in Village View Park, a 6.8-acre park east of Fallbrook Community Center. The skatepark will include a backyard-pool style bowl, snake run, and large street plaza, with multiple levels that allow for a variety of banks, quarterpipes, and stairs.
Other news
Today through Thursday, Southern California is forecast to experience strong Santa Ana winds, raising wildfire risk for an already particularly dry winter.
Turtle counters in the Mojave Desert were looking for tortoises but found human bones.
Two men died of exposure while searching for Bigfoot in Skamania County, Washington, where harming the creature is punishable by a $1000 fine.
The search is on for clueless climbers who installed bolts on southern Utah’s Pregnant Sheep Petroglyph, a remarkable ancient engraving. Some people…👎
San Diego celebrates the 50 year anniversary of the purchase of Cowles Mountain, a popular hiking and mountain biking area in Mission Trails
Upcoming Events
King of the Hammers 2025
King of the Hammers, which takes place in Southern California’s Johnson Valley each year, is one of the world’s largest off-road races, combining Baja-style desert racing with extreme rock crawling. This year’s event runs from January 30 to February 8, 2025.
Other Upcoming Events
Family Camping Anza-Borrego
January 17-19, 2025 - Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
CORVA Truckhaven Challenge
Jan 25, 2025 – Thermal
Banff Mountain Film Festival
Jan 24-25, 2025 – San Luis Obispo
Lake Perris Spartan Race
Jan 25-26, 2025 – Perris
Tierra Del Sol Desert Safari - Off-Roading
March 7-9, 2025 – Mammoth
Banff Mountain Film Festival
Feb 21-22, 2025 – Redlands
Arc’teryx Backcountry Academy - Mountaineering
March 7-9, 2025 – Mammoth Lakes
Burton Mystery Series Banked Slalom - Snowboarding
March 8, 2025 - Bear Mountain, Big Bear Lake
Elevation Mammoth - Ski and Snowboard
March 12, 2025 - Mammoth Mountain, Mammoth Lakes
Overland Expo SoCal - Overlanding/Off-Roading
March 15-16, 2025 - Costa Mesa
Sage Brush Safari - MTB
March 30, 2025 - San Diego County
If you know of an outdoors-related event in or around SoCal that you’d like to share with other subscribers, email me at [email protected].
Guides
Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument
Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument is one of Southern California’s premiere outdoor recreation destinations, offering diverse landscapes ranging from sun-scorched canyons to snow-capped peaks.
 | Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation AreaOceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area (SVRA) is a unique destination along California’s Central Coast, offering a rare opportunity to drive off-highway vehicles (OHVs) on expansive sandy beaches and sand dunes. |
 | Mormon Rocks: A Geological Marvel in San BernardinoMormon Rocks, located in San Bernardino County, California, is a striking point of interest featuring striking sandstone formations along the San Andreas Fault. |
Video Guide to Anza-Borrego Adventure
Anza Borrego is a outdoor adventure wonderland just two hours from San Diego and the Inland Empire, offering numerous options for camping, hiking, offroading and much more.