Los Olivos, California
Looking for the best hiking in Los Olivos? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Los Olivos. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.
Top Hiking Spots in and near Los Olivos
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Montecito, California
Saddle Rock Loop
4.03.37 mi / 984 ft gainBegin at the trailhead in the parking area on E. Valley Road. You'll gain some elevation (don't forget your water). You'll know when you arrive at Saddle Rock--you can't miss this conspicuous rock formation. Enjoy the sights from here. If you plan carefully and hike up on a clear day, you may eve...Read more -
Arroyo Grande, California
Explore the Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes
The Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes and nearby Lake Oso Flaco are home to many endangered and threatened species of plants and animals. A beautiful, short boardwalk takes you from the parking lot, over Lake Oso Flaco, and through the dunes before arriving at the ocean. Enjoy the local wildlife and abundan...Read more -
Santa Margarita, California
Photograph Wildflowers at Carrizo Plain National Monument
5.0Driving in from Hwy 58 East, you will be passing through a grapevine, and through some hills. Once you hit the Seven Mile Road, you will start to see fields of yellow flowers all around you - this is where the adventure starts. Just continue to drive along the road until you find a great spot to ...Read more -
Oceano, California
Camp at Pismo State Beach
4.7Hiking along nature trails, swimming, and surf fishing are all possible here, including wheelchair accessible fishing at Ocean Lagoon. Facilities consist of fire rings, restrooms, and showers. Restaurants are not far from the campground, as well. Make your reservation here.Read more -
Ojai, California
Matilija Falls
5.08.6 mi / 0 ft gainNote: This trail is temporarily closed. For more updates, please visit the Forest Service website for more updates. ...If you've read most of my blogs, you'll probably notice I have a fascination for waterfalls! I've done this hike multiple times, but it wasn't until this day where I saw these ...Read more -
Ojai, California
Camp at Rose Valley
5.0Close to Ventura and Ojai, California, this spot is an easy weekend getaway from the hectic coast of Ventura. Follow Highway 33 east toward Ojai. This road will lead into the Los Padres National Forest and become very curved and sleep as it gets closer to Rose Valley. The sign for the Park with b...Read more -
Santa Barbara County, California
Beach Camp on Santa Rosa Island
5.019.72 mi / 3097 ft gainChannel Islands National Park is California's least visited National Park. If you visit, you will see many unique plants and animals, including a rare native fox species, and Torrey Pines, only found here and in a small grove near San Diego. This adventure is not for the inexperienced. There is ...Read more -
Santa Barbara County, California
Water Canyon Campground
3.28 mi / 128 ft gainYou can get a wonderfully detailed description of what to expect from the Channel Islands/Santa Rosa Island and how to get there from fellow Explorer Michael Wigle's "Beach Camp on Santa Rosa Island" adventure (which I highly recommend you check out for the information and the photography, so I'm...Read more -
Maricopa, California
Bear Trap Campground via Gene Marshall/Piedra Blanca Trail
9.59 mi / 2211 ft gainThere's no better feeling then camping out and having a whole site to you and your friends...wouldn't you agree?!?! ...Deep in the Sespe Wilderness in Ojai, California sits a tucked away, well-managed campsite called "Bear Trap Campground". This campsite can be reached at any point of the year a...Read more -
Santa Barbara County, California
Torrey Pines Trail
4.71 mi / 584 ft gainThe vast diversity of terrain of Santa Rosa Island in the Channel Islands National Park is matched in uniqueness only by its own flora and fauna, in particular the endangered and endemic Torrey Pine. The best way to view and experience these strange, broad trees is via the Torrey Pines Trail, whi...Read more -
Santa Barbara County, California
Lobo Canyon Trail via Santa Rosa Campground
12.03 mi / 984 ft gainThe National Park Service describes this hike in the following: "Strenuous. A spectacular canyon with wind- and water-sculpted sandstone cliffs, a year-round stream, riparian vegetation, and a spectacular coast at its mouth. Well worth the effort." I couldn't agree more with the last sentence...Read more -
Santa Rosa Campground
East Point via the Coastal Road
13.76 mi / 486 ft gainOne could a lifetime exploring, and attempting to describe, the beauty of the Channel Islands National Park and Santa Rosa Island in particular: its wildly diverse terrain, endemic flora and fauna, and also the only of the Islands to allow backcountry beach camping. While the opportunities for di...Read more -
Santa Barbara County, California
Black Mountain via Cherry Canyon Trail
6.54 mi / 1329 ft gainWords fail in describing the beauty of the Channel Islands National Park and Santa Rosa Island, the second largest of the Channel Islands and perhaps the most diverse in terms of terrain, flora and fauna, and also the only to allow backcountry beach camping. While the opportunities for exploratio...Read more -
Santa Margarita, California
Rinconada Mineral Mines
1.32 mi / 472 ft gainMy friends and I recently visited this abandoned mercury mine. The site was cleaned-up by the EPA many years ago, but much of the old equipment remains. Up the hill from the equipment are several deep cuts in the earth and a humongous hole in the ground. The sediment at edges of this hole are VER...Read more -
Maricopa, California
Potrero John Trail
5.03.51 mi / 627 ft gainThe Potrero John Trail is only 1.75 miles one-way, and is mostly used for hiking. It is right off Highway 33- driving north on the 33, the trailhead is on the right side of the street, right after the Potrero John Bridge (parking is fairly limited so the earlier you get there the better). There ...Read more -
San Luis Obispo, California
Catch the Sunset at the Avila Sea Caves
4.0When I attended Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, I would come out to this place to watch the sunset. It was my favorite spot to sit on a rock and take in the beautiful scenery as the sun went down. You don't really have to hike to get a nice view, you can park the car and walk out to the rock cliffs and...Read more