Help Me Find a Pair of Shorts

I've been catching some Royal Robbins Billy Goat shorts on SAC that sound a lot like that. Great shorts. You can probably find them on Departmentofgoods.com, and there is a 50% off coupon floating around somewhere.

I doubt you have an Academy Sports Store in Cali, but they have their own brand called Magellan and they make some liqhtweight microfiber shorts. I have 3 pairs and I love them to death. They fit all of the above criteria.

http://www.academy.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_10051_58568_-1?color=Taupe&Ntt=round+rock+shorts&Ntk=All

Make sure you get stretchy shorts, soo much nicer.

Columbia Silver Ridge Cargo shorts: $25 at 6pm.com. 12" inseam on the 32" waist.

http://www.6pm.com/columbia-silver-ridge-cargo-short-peatmoss

North Face Paramount are good ones to look at. Mountain Hardwear, Ex Officio, Patagonia, and Outdoor Research all come to mind. None are cheap. +1 on the Royal Robbins, but still pretty steep on pricing.

I happen to know a guy who has some medium Cutter Tech Knickerbocker "long" shorts that are new without the tags. More like stretchy soft shell for biking, but would make very nice hiking pants. PM me.

http://www.cutterbike.com/?p=165

Check ebay. There's usually a couple pairs of REI Sahara shorts on there.

I have the same requirments as the OP. Essentially, quick drying shorts with pockets and stretch.

I rotate between 3 shorts
Columbia
an older model, which comes from the convertible pants. lightest and fastest drying, unfortunately the most frageile and easiest to get dirty
has a zippered hand pocket , baggier fit, cheap, gets wet more easily
REI Venturi
http://www.rei.com/product/808803/rei-venturi-shorts-mens
only has one back pocket, but slanted zipped thigh pockets
heavy at 7oz
Arcteryx Rampart
my favorite, almost looks like it doesn't have cargo pockets. no velcro or zipper, just overlapping fabric to close it which works surprisingly well.
Also the tightest fit. I love being able to just slip in my hand and grab what I need without any noise or fuss.
It is the most expensive

I got three pairs from their running 50% off sale. 6 oz. hikers (12" inseam) and one each if the 9" and 5" runners. They are 5 and 4 oz respectively. The hikers may be sold out, all three and a few more are only $14.99 right now.