Anaheim, California
Anaheim, California offers some of the best trails and outdoor activities for those seeking scenic outdoor adventures. One of the top must-visit spots is the Oak Canyon Nature Center. This 58-acre natural park is nestled in the Anaheim Hills, featuring four miles of hiking trails through oak woodland and coastal sage scrub, leading to a year-round stream. You'll see a variety of birds and local wildlife, making it a great spot for bird watching. Another highlight is the Santa Ana River Trail, a multi-use trail that runs alongside the Santa Ana River, offering stunning views and opportunities for biking and horseback riding. The trail is flat and easy, making it accessible for all fitness levels. For a more challenging hike, head to the Anaheim Hills Trail, known for its steep inclines and panoramic views over the city.
Top Spots in and near Anaheim
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Rancho Palos Verdes, California
Burma Road Trail & Ishibashi Trail Loop
4.35.09 mi / 1148 ft gainGetting There: The easiest way to get to Portuguese Bend Nature Reserve is by following Crenshaw Boulevard up Rancho Palos Verdes to the very end of the street. You can park on either side of the street near Del Cerro Park, which also happens to be a great place for picnics if you want to eat bef...Read more -
Los Angeles, California
Three Stooges Stairs
4.00.07 mi / 43 ft gainThe stairs are about 147 steps. Located at Fair Oak View Terrace and Edendale Place in the Silver Lake, a district of Los Angeles. They are famous for where the Three Stooges short "An Ache In Every Stake" was filmed in 1941. It is a classic scene of where they have to deliver a block of ice all ...Read more -
Los Angeles, California
Mattachine Steps
5.00.09 mi / 52 ft gainThe Mattachine Steps, also known as the Cove Avenue stairway, is dedicated to the Mattachine Society (The name was taken from a medieval French secret society that set out to right wrongs.) in 2012 in memory of Harry Hay, who cofounded the gay rights group. Right along this stairway is a small ho...Read more -
Los Angeles, California
Silver Lake Reservoir Trail
3.02.18 mi / 79 ft gainSilver Lake Reservoir Trail is a loop trail that takes you by a lake located in the Silver Lake neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. This urban escape is used by people running, walking, and birding. The trail is stroller-friendly, so you may see parents along the trail with their younger fam...Read more -
Los Angeles, California
Music Box Steps
5.00.08 mi / 20 ft gainClimb a historical landmark in LA. This is where the famous, Academy Award winning short, Laurel and Hardy made called "The Music Box”. Filmed back in the 1930's the story is about two movers trying to deliver a piano, up these steps. There is a plaque is dedicated at the bottom to this film. It’...Read more -
Rancho Palos Verdes, California
Surf Fishing Off Of Inspiration Point
Tucked away, at the base of Inspiration Point in Palos Verdes is an outcropping of rocks, perfect for surf casting and catching ocean fish, away from the crowds. It's a challenge to get there, but the less travelled spot is used by many professional sportsmen, practicing their skills at fishing f...Read more -
Los Angeles, California
Descanso Steps
4.00.1 mi / 20 ft gainThe steps are a series of stairways you will find throughout Silver Lake and neighboring areas. They facilitated people from the neighborhood in getting to the “red” streetcars, that used to run throughout the city. Cool relics of a mostly-forgotten past. These particular steps take you down from...Read more -
Los Angeles, California
Piano Mural Staircase aka “Murray Staircase”
5.00.08 mi / 69 ft gainThe “Piano Stairs” is a stair mural in Silver Lake neighborhood section of LA. Not to be confused with the “Music Box” staircase that is close by. These 90 steps were painted to look like the piano keyboard by the artist Carrey. Great for a cardio workout and not as creepy as some of the stairs h...Read more -
Los Angeles, California
Micheltorena Stairs
3.00.19 mi / 75 ft gainI preferred the steps, before anything was painted on them. Whoever thought it would be a great idea to do that was wrong. No upkeep and these stairs have been heavily vandalized. The steps are a series of stairways you will find throughout Silver Lake and neighboring areas. They facilitated peo...Read more -
Los Angeles, California
Secret Stairs Astro Loop
2.34.21 mi / 600 ft gainI learned about these remnants of Los Angeles history, just a few months ago. When I found myself in L.A. this past month, I decided to find some of these stairs, and find out what they’re all about. Back in the 1920’s these stairs were created for pedestrians to have direct routes to the trans...Read more -
Dana Point, California
Hike the Salt Creek Trail
5.03 mi / 20 ft gainStarting from the Salt Creek Beach parking lot (a paid lot that takes cash, debit, and credit cards and charges by the hour. There are pay stations at a few points in the parking lots), you head west towards the ocean...through a tunnel and down the hill towards the beach. Once you get to the bas...Read more -
Dana Point, California
Surf Salt Creek
5.0There are two HUGE parking lots off of PCH, so parking isn't an issue (unless it's on a weekend in the summer, then it does get full). This is a paid lot with a few pay stations located around the parking lot, and they take cash and credit/ debit card...you can pay by the hour. Once you find your...Read more -
Rancho Palos Verdes, California
Abalone Cove Shoreline Park
4.3Abalone Cove Shoreline Park is a Palos Verdes gem. This 64-acre reserve is a state ecological preserve. There is something for everyone here, whether you want to relax and lay out or be adventurous and swim across channels to get to sea caves. The large parking area is very easy to find and costs...Read more -
Los Angeles, California
Landa St Stairs (Esther's Steps)
5.00.18 mi / 138 ft gainOne of the hidden gems of the neighborhood, a beloved local named Esther Aagaard Tapebland walked these steps everyday, for 50 years in Silver Lake. Fountain Ave becomes Landa St. Park on Griffith Park Ave and hike your way up the steep driveway. Amazing views of Hollywood, the Hollywood Sign, th...Read more -
Rancho Palos Verdes, California
Sacred Cove View Trail
4.52.08 mi / 292 ft gainThis area is spectacular - the views of the cliffs, the channels of water entering the caves, and the marine life (sea lions, whales, dolphins, sea urchin and sea anemone) are huge draws. Bring anyone here that has a sense of adventure and be ready to get wet. Only attempt swimming across the cha...Read more -
Hermosa Beach, California
Surf at El Porto
4.0The South Bay of LA has plenty of good surf. Sand bars are back and its fun...watch out for the sharks.Read more
