Fairfax, California

Looking for the best hiking in Fairfax? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Fairfax. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Hiking Spots in and near Fairfax

  • Sebastopol, California

    Blackberry - Thistle Loop

    5.0
    1.45 mi / 69 ft gain
    The Blacberry - Thistle Loop is a relatively easy hiking trail at Ragle Ranch park. This trail is used for hiking and running and offers some cover/shade as well as great views of foliage especially in the fall months. This trail is located on the west side of Sebastopol, California.  The park i...
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  • Sebastopol, California

    Ragle Ranch Extended Loop

    5.0
    1.86 mi / 82 ft gain
    Ragle Ranch Extended Loop is a loop trail where you may see local wildlife located near Sebastopol, California
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  • Santa Rosa, California

    Hood Mountain Summit Via Lower and Upper Johnson Ridge Trails

    5.95 mi / 2054 ft gain
    Hood Mountain Summit via the Lower Johnson and Upper Johnson Ridge Trails is a 6 mile out-and-back trek located in Santa Rosa, CA. The trailhead starts at the Pythian Road parking lot, accessed from Highway 12. The hike takes 3.5 to 4 hours to complete and is considered strenuous. All trails are...
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  • Moss Beach, California

    Fitzgerald Marine Reserve

    5.0
    0.89 mi / 46 ft gain
    Located beside a residential neighborhood, Fitzgerald Marine Reserve offers a rare glimpse of life in the northern California intertidal zones. There are parking spaces and restrooms available, as well as ranger-led guided tours. Be sure to check the tide charts and go during low tide (preferab...
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  • Santa Rosa, California

    Canyon Trail to Spring Creek Trail Loop

    5.0
    7.39 mi / 728 ft gain
    The Canyon Trail to Spring Creek Trail Loop is a popular hiking route in Trione-Annadel State Park in Sonoma County, California. This loop offers a mix of shaded woodland paths and open trails, making it a favorite for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts. Trail Highlights: Length & Difficulty: A...
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  • Castro Valley, California

    Lake Chabot Regional Park Loop

    4.3
    8.65 mi / 1263 ft gain
    Looking for a fun day on a lake, but don't want to drive too far? We recommend heading out to the East Bay where you can combine a nice hike with an afternoon of fishing. This moderately challenging hike remains scenic throughout the 8.5 mile trek around the lake, and offers many opportunities fo...
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  • Sebastopol, California

    Madeleine Sone Wildlife Preserve Loop

    5.0
    0.94 mi / 174 ft gain
    The Madrone Sone Wildlife Preserve offers visitors a serene 1.0-mile loop trail through a diverse ecosystem of wetlands, oak woodlands, and native grasslands. Located in western Sebastopol, this hidden gem provides an accessible nature experience and important wildlife habitat in the heart of Son...
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  • Moss Beach, California

    Cypress Tree Tunnels at Moss Beach

    4.5
    0.79 mi / 105 ft gain
    The Cypress Tree Tunnels are a quick jaunt from San Francisco (22 miles) and make for a great half-day trip. Getting here depends on traffic, but 30 minutes from the center of the city is doable. Parking is relatively easy. You can either park at the south end of the area at the Cypress Cove entr...
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  • Walnut Creek, California

    Southern Lime Ridge Loop

    4.0
    5.57 mi / 1089 ft gain
    The Southern Lime Ridge Loop is a trail system located near Walnut Creek, CA. There is a parking lot at the trailhead located across the street from the Boundary Oak Golf Course. The trail is fairly exposed with limited shade, so bring appropriate sun protection especially on the warmer days.  D...
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  • Walnut Creek, California

    Castle Rock Trail

    5.0
    6.06 mi / 971 ft gain
    Located near Walnut Creek, the trail is easily accessible from anywhere in the Bay Area. The trail is kept open year-round, and happens to be part of the American Discovery Trail and the Coast to Crest trail. If you are not done hiking, connecting trails allow you to summit Mt. Diablo.  This tra...
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  • Walnut Creek, California

    Run the Mt. Diablo Foothill Loop

    5.0
    6.2 mi / 875 ft gain
    Continue by car down Castle Rock Road until it dead ends at the beginning of the trail. Parking is usually easy to find. If full, there is another overflow lot about 500 ft back the way you came in.You'll walk a good half mile down the trail before getting the main gate. As you're walking, you'll...
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  • Moss Beach, California

    Pillar Point Bluff Loop

    4.7
    1.84 mi / 154 ft gain
    Sitting on a 140 acre bluff top, the Pillar Point Bluffs are a simple, easy hike with breathtaking views throughout. The bluffs are 22 miles from San Francisco – a 30 minute drive depending on the traffic. There is a small 10 car or so parking lot off of Airport Blvd, but there are two additional...
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  • Bodega Bay, California

    Doran Beach

    5.0
    4.02 mi / 75 ft gain
    Doran Beach is nestled within the picturesque landscape of Doran Regional Park near Bodega Bay, California. Offering pristine shores and captivating vistas, this is a coastal gem that allows visitors a more protected coastal landscape than nearby Salmon Creek State Beach. Explore sandy beaches ...
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  • Santa Rosa, California

    Santa Rosa Creek Trail: Willowside Road to Fulton Road

    5.0
    4.2 mi / 46 ft gain
    The Santa Rosa Creek Trail segment from Willowside Road to Fulton Road offers a delightful 2.3-mile journey through one of Santa Rosa's most accessible urban nature corridors. This well-maintained paved trail provides cyclists, walkers, and runners with a scenic route that perfectly balances natu...
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  • San Mateo County, California

    Sawyer Camp Trail

    5.0
    11.61 mi / 1152 ft gain
    The Sawyer Camp Trail is a popular paved trail that stretches alongside the Crystal Springs Reservoir all the way to Hillcrest Blvd. The sixth mile crosses over the San Andreas Dam with nice views of San Andreas Lake. There are markers every half mile which makes timing and tracking your run eas...
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  • Bodega Bay, California

    Bodega Head Nature Trail

    4.8
    1.67 mi / 121 ft gain
    Sitting west of the San Andrea fault, the Bodega Head is a massive chunk of granite from the Salinian Block, a geological terrane that contains Point Reyes and the Farallon Islands, and shares its origins with the Sierra Nevada mountains, the Head itself having been carried hundreds of miles to t...
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