Long Beach, California
Long Beach, California is a must-visit for outdoor adventures and boasts some of the best trails and outdoor activities. The scenic El Dorado Nature Center Trail is a top pick for hiking, with its 2-mile loop offering glimpses of streams, lakes, and unique rock formations. For a more challenging trek, the Dominguez Gap Wetlands Trails presents a 7-mile round trip through a diverse landscape of wetlands and river views. If water activities are more your style, kayaking in the Naples Canals is a popular choice. Nearby, the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve offers bird-watching opportunities, with over 200 species spotted annually. These outdoor attractions make Long Beach a hub for those seeking scenic, active pursuits.
Top Spots in and near Long Beach
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Signal Hill, California
Hilltop Park
4.7Hilltop Park is located in Signal Hill and offers an unmatched panoramic view of the Los Angeles Basin. If you go on a clear day, you may even be lucky enough to see Catalina Island and the Santa Monica and San Gabriel Mountains. This park is the perfect spot for families, dogs, and even dates. T...Read more -
Long Beach, California
Red Car Greenbelt
5.00.63 mi / 0 ft gainThe Greenbelt used to be the right-of-way for the long lost Pacific Electric Red Car, an amazing system of public transportation that connected Long Beach, LA, Orange Coutny, and even San Bernardino. The pathways are landscaped with plants typical of the area and plenty of native flowers for the...Read more -
Long Beach, California
Colorado Lagoon
5.00.95 mi / 30 ft gainThe Colorado Lagoon is a wetland that is being restored. To make this 1 mile walk into a loop, you have to walk along sidewalks near the park. This is a very kid-friendly destination. This trail crosses over the lagoon on a boardwalk. It also accesses a sandy swimming beach with restrooms, picnic...Read more -
Seal Beach, California
Seal Beach
4.7Seal Beach is a small beach community between Long Beach and Huntington Beach. Right off PCH (Pacific Coast Highway), this sandy beach is a great place to chill on a hot summer day. The high winds coming off the water makes it an ideal place to kite board, surf, or simply fly a kite along the sho...Read more -
Seal Beach, California
Sunset Beach
4.6Sunset Beach is located just 9 miles south of Long Beach and 6 miles North of Huntington Beach, CA on the famous Pacific Coast Highway 1. I accessed Sunset Beach from the South on I-405. I took exit 22 for Seal Beach. After the exit I turned a left/west on Seal Beach Blvd and drove for 2.6 miles ...Read more -
Huntington Beach, California
Stand Up Paddle (SUP) in Huntington Harbor
4.5Huntington Harbor is the perfect location for an easy and relaxing stand up paddle board session. Here you will get to enjoy the view of the houses by the harbor, some boats sailing by, and some low bridges you'll have to paddle through while ducking on your board (fun!).There are several stores ...Read more -
Huntington Beach, California
Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve Trail
4.72.97 mi / 30 ft gainThe Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve Trail is great for birding and wildlife viewing. If you want a longer hike, you can extend the mileage by heading down the riverbed trail. The trail is open year-round. Dogs are not allowed in Bolsa Chica. Bolsa Chica State Beach is easily accessible from Oran...Read more -
Los Angeles, California
Cabrillo Beach
Cabrillo Beach located in San Pedro, California is a great spot to bring the whole family. There are tide pools at the beach as well as the Cabrillo Marin Aquarium where the kiddos can get tours and more information about the sea life they're seeing. There is a parking lot at the Cabrillo Beach...Read more -
Los Angeles, California
Korean Bell of Friendship
The Korean Bell of Friendship, located in San Pedro, Los Angeles, stands as a symbol of friendship between the United States and South Korea. Gifted by South Korea in 1976 to commemorate the bicentennial of the United States, this massive bronze bell is housed in a traditional stone pavilion ador...Read more -
Los Angeles, California
Watts Towers
3.0Watts Towers are a quick 15-20 minute ride from Downtown Los Angeles on the Metro. Since I love weird, interesting things, plus the towers are in my backyard, I had to take a trip to check them out! When getting off the train, I half expected to see the towers spiraling off in the distance. After...Read more -
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 -
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 -
Ladera Ranch, California
Huntington Beach Pier
4.6The Huntington Beach Pier is a great spot for a multitude of activities. If you're looking to bodysurf, surf, swim, jog, or just chill, this is the spot for you. There's plenty of a restaurants nearby, making it the perfect weekday/weekend getaway. I frequent this location to shoot sunsets by t...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 -
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 -
Palos Verdes Estates, California
Bluff Cove
4.40.56 mi / 144 ft gainParking for Bluff Cove is located along the sides of the street of Paseo Del Mar, and the trailhead is located right next to the street. Bluff Cove is one of those unique locations in that there are a variety of activities you can do here. It is a great location for surfing, paddle boarding, bod...Read more
Camping and Lodging in Long Beach
Palmdale, California
Meadow Group Campground
Overview
Meadow Group Campground is located off State Highway 2 between the Manzanita Loop of the Chilao Campground and the Chilao Ranger...
Palmdale, California
Coulter Group Campground
Overview
At Coulter Group Campground groups can relax and enjoy the experience of being outdoors without traveling far from the greater L...
Pearblossom, California
Bandido Group Campground
Overview
Groups of all types will enjoy staying at the Bandido Group Campground, which boasts beautiful scenery in a relaxing, rustic atm...
Azusa, California
Jackson Flats
Overview
Jackson Flats is a group camping facility located next to beautiful Grassy Hollow Visitor Center, which holds numerous nature pr...
Valyermo, California
Lake Campground
Overview
Lake Campground offers an excellent escape from the city, just a short drive northeast of the Los Angeles metro area. It's set o...
Valyermo, California
Mountain Oak
Overview
Escape to Mountain Oak Campground in the Angeles National Forest for a restful, refreshing getaway from city life. Just northwes...
