Switzer Falls. Yelp/Gino I. Exotic red sandstone formations like Sedona (on a much smaller scale) in the OC with super easy access. Take a look at our Contributor Guidelines and pitch us your idea! Cucamonga Peak. Your email address will not be published. This trail is a little more rugged than a standard walk through the desert with parts of the hike that require scrambling over rocks. However, last year I visited for the superbloom so that got me out of the city and away from the beach. Listed below are 10 especially well-known hikes and trails that are … Every season is hiking season with unique beauties in California. Along the way, you’ll enjoy views of the ocean, rocky cliffs, and Ventura and Santa Barbara in the distance. Riverside And San Bernardino Counties. One thing to note is if you’re looking for less of an elevation change, you should stick to the counterclockwise direction (head left at the trailhead). Today, we share down-to-earth travel tips from our many (mis)adventures on our blog and podcast! Of course, if you are at the very beginning of your training regimen, you might start with lower mileage and elevation … And one of the best ways to experience the region’s stunning deserts, palm trees, and coastal views is by hitting the trails. Drop us a comment below! I definitely want to do some of these hikes one day! The map and table included below contain all the Southern California Beginner hikes from the different areas covered on this site. After living abroad for five years in Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Greece, and Portugal she has finally found a home in San Francisco, California. In fact, it’s a popular training hike for those who want to eventually hike Mount Whitney and other more intense peaks in California and beyond. In order to get onto the rock, you have to be okay with making a slightly scary leap. Unless you scramble up the sandstone cliffs. Each trail links to its own report complete with photos, GPS maps, elevation profiles, directions, … The interpretive center is located at 31501 Palos Verdes Drive in Rancho Palos Verdes. All rights reserved. The most well-known feature of this hike is reaching Potato Chip Rock, which, as the name suggests, is a rock that looks like a thin potato chip. Blossom Valley. In Laguna Beach, you’ll find one of the most beautiful coastal parks in California: Crystal Cove State Park. One of Joshua Tree’s most popular hikes, the Ryan Mountain Trail is the perfect balance of good views and a decent workout. Another great feature of Southern California hikes is that we can have snow in the winter and nice weather down below, so we can drive to the snow, take a day hike, and drive home to sun and warmth. Find the top rated hiking trails in California, whether you're looking for an easy short hiking trail or a long hiking trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Border Field State Park. It’s also home to one of the rarest trees in the world – the Torrey Pine Tree. And once you reach the top of the 1,700-foot mountain, you’ll be rewarded with even more views of the Griffith Observatory, Lake Hollywood Reservoir, Dodger Stadium, and the Santa Monica Mountains in the distance – as well as the back of the Hollywood Sign for that perfect Instagram-worthy shot. Choose from a variety of trails ranging from 1 to 3 miles that provide the perfect hike and nature fix for every fitness level. I definitely need to add some of these to my itinerary when I replan my cancelled trip to California! Escondido Falls. If you are yearning for more nature, don’t worry, the hike soon heads off the pavement and into the wilderness. Hike on excellent trail to the summit of 8,041' Waterman Mountain (aka Mt Waterman), in the magnificent San Gabriel high country. The trail is a fairly short and straight-forward out-and-back hike, but the real challenge comes in the steep elevation change of 1,069 feet in a mere 1.5 miles. As an Amazon Affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases. In the San Gabriel Mountains, Switzer Falls is one of the most popular waterfall hikes in Southern California. Burbank & Glendale. The Borrego Palm Canyon Loop is a relatively easy and quick hike that takes you through the San Ysidro Mountains, past various types of cacti and desert brush, to an oasis in the middle of the canyon. Take it away, Mimi! The Bridge to Nowhere hike, located in the San Gabriel Mountains, is one of the most popular hikes in Southern California. You’d be forgiven if you didn’t realize this, as on most days, Mount Baldy is obscured in the city’s ever-present smog. One of the top activities to do in Los Angeles, hiking to the Hollywood Sign via the Brush Canyon Trail is an iconic way to spend an afternoon in LA. Easy hike to a lovely sculpted sandstone gorge with a small seasonal 15′ waterfall. These photos are stunning! Everyone has to start somewhere, no matter what the activity. The Borrego Palm Canyon Loop is a fun day hike from San Diego, or a good intro hike to exploring Anza Borrego State Park if you plan to stay in the area longer. 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Southern California is known for its hot, dry climate and near-perfect year-round weather (minus maybe its deserts that get scorching in the summer). Opportunities to soak in the Arroyo Seco line the entire route. Image Source: Wikimedia Commons. There are numerous trails to get up to the summit of Mt Baldy. This is one of the most beautiful hikes in Southern California that features a lush canyon, some shade (a rarity for Southern California hikes), and a small waterfall. It’s frequented by runners, bikers, walkers, and dog owners … The Gray Butte Trail in Mount Shasta is the easiest hiking spot in the mountain … Photo by Raymond Serna. 2. new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0], One thing to note is that Crystal Cove State Park gets very busy in the summer and on weekends. Thank you for telling the opening information. Ready for some activity? Then read Read. Contributor Bio: Mimi McFadden is a travel blogger, avid hiker, and paneer enthusiast. 13 Incredible Hiking Trails in California Editor’s Note: Travel might be complicated right now, but use our inspirational trip ideas to plan ahead for your next bucket list adventure. Jason and I always hike with a small daypack to carry a few essential items. San Gorgonio Mountain. After living in the region for five years, these are my picks for the top day hikes in Southern California to get out in nature and really see just how beautiful California can be. 3 years ago we quit our jobs, put our stuff in storage, and took off on a (disastrous) year-long honeymoon. This collection of trails in Southern California (Orange County, Riverside County, San Bernardino County, and San Diego County) lists hikes roughly from north to south. Gray Butte Trail, Mt Shasta . Early spring’s magic is the wildflower bloom! Here you can pick up a map of the various places to hike. Our contributing writer Mimi has lived and hiked all over SoCal. The best of Southern California is often enjoyed outdoors along one of its many hiking trails that showcases its abundant beauty. 99.9% of hikers are firmly in the day-hike only camp, and usually it’s just a matter of not knowing how to start and where to go to gain some backpacking experience. Required fields are marked *. California is definitely a great place to go hiking! I mean, even narrowing down the best hikes in Yosemite into one list is no small feat. Besides the waterfall (best seen during the spring), the other highlight of the hike are the ruins of Roberts Ranch House. Once you get to Smuggler’s Cove, you can enjoy a nice picnic lunch on the beach before heading back the way you came. If you’re looking for a longer hike, first tackle one of the reserve’s loop hikes like The Guy Fleming Trail (0.6 miles) or the Razor Point Trail (1.2 miles) before jumping on the Yucca Point Trail down to the beach. COVID-19 Update (as of 6/16/2020): Crystal Cove State Park is currently open, including parking lots, the beach, and all hiking trails. And when I’m doing outdoorsy things I’m typically on the water. You will want to do some preparation before you begin hiking, especially if you are hiking in the mountains. There are numerous hikes you can tackle to get up to the Hollywood Sign, but the Brush Canyon Trail is by far the most popular choice. COVID-19 Update (as of 6/16/2020): The Solstice Canyon Trail is currently open, as well as parking lots and restrooms. 1 Trails. COVID-19 Update (as of 6/16/2020): Torrey Pines State Reserve is currently closed. Although this is the Channel Island’s most popular hike, you often won’t come across more than a handful of people on the hike (it really is that underrated). There are tons to choose from, that range from easy to difficult, long to short, shaded to open; no matter what you are looking for, chances are you’ll find something in SoCal. 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