Manhattan Beach, California

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

Top Photography Spots in and near Manhattan Beach

  • Laguna Beach, California

    Aliso Peak via the Valido Trail

    5.0
    1.14 mi / 325 ft gain
    The Valido Trail trailhead can be found just off West street off the Pacific Coast Highway, just south of Aliso Beach. Park on West Street past the trailhead. The trail proceeds approximate .5 miles till it intersects with the Aliso Peak Trail. Go left .4 miles to the obvious summit and wooden p...
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  • Corona, California

    Skyline Drive Trail

    3.0
    9.07 mi / 1946 ft gain
    This trail is shared by hikers, mountain bikers and trail runners. Rock climbers can find areas to boulder off the trail. Bring lots of extra water as this trail is rather dusty and can get very hot. This is a good training hike for those looking to do some backpacking.  The trail is open year-r...
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  • Laguna Beach, California

    Laguna Beach Caves (Closed)

    3.8
    As of Friday, January 31st, 2025, Thousand Steps Beach is closed due to a landslide for an undetermined amount of time. More details are available here. Laguna Beach Caves are beautiful caves with blue, clear water. This place is free to visit, but please exercise caution and adhere to local up...
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  • Laguna Beach, California

    Thousand Steps Pools (Closed)

    4.3
    As of Friday, January 31st, 2025, Thousand Steps Beach is closed due to a landslide for an undetermined amount of time. More details are available here. A beautiful, sometimes secluded beach with two man made pools that collect saltwater during high tide and warm up during low tide. Unbelievable...
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  • Laguna Beach, California

    Thousand Steps Beach (Closed)

    5.0
    As of Friday, January 31st, 2025, Thousand Steps Beach is closed due to a landslide for an undetermined amount of time. More details are available here. Easy beach access and blue see-through waves with small crowds in the off season. This is a huge beach with the potential for wildlife spotting...
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  • Silverado, California

    Harding Falls Trail

    5.0
    5.96 mi / 1378 ft gain
    The lot provides free parking, with plenty of spaces available throughout the day.  The first few miles feature a descent into the canyon on a defined trail out in the open. The way back up is a decent incline in the sun!   Be prepared, because even though 6+ miles may not seem too hard, this h...
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  • Dawson Saddle, California

    Hike to Throop Peak, Mt. Hawkins, and Mt. Burnham

    8 mi / 2000 ft gain
    The trailhead, or pair of trailheads actually, is at a location on the Angeles Crest Highway (CA-2) called Dawson's Saddle.  There are a couple of parking areas along the side of the highway, and each of the pair of trailheads begins at either end of this parking area.  The trailheads aren't mark...
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  • Pearblossom, California

    Devil's Punchbowl and Devil's Chair

    4.5
    7.37 mi / 1870 ft gain
    What a hidden gem! A martian landscape full of faultline desert rock formations and joshua trees against a mountainous backdrop of the San Gabriels. Devil's Punchbowl Natural Area features a 1 mile well-marked, well-maintained single track loop trail inside the Punchbowl (great for kids) and a 7 ...
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  • Claremont, California

    Stoddard Peak Trail

    4.0
    5.93 mi / 1129 ft gain
    On the way to Mount Baldy and within the trail system of the San Gabriel mountain range is the Stoddard Peak Trail. The Stoddard Peak Trail, which is basically the old Barrett-Stoddard fire road, goes through the Stoddard Canyon into Stoddard Flat, and then eventually leads to Stoddard Peak. The ...
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  • Mount Baldy, California

    Sunset Peak via South Trailhead

    4.0
    7.16 mi / 1493 ft gain
    In order to get to the Sunset Peak Trailhead, utilize Google Maps to take you to the location provided. There is very little parking (only a small pull off along Glendora Ridge Road), but this trail is rarely traveled, so there should be enough space regardless of the time you decide to hike! Jus...
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  • Laguna Niguel, California

    Colinas Ridge Trail

    2.01 mi / 131 ft gain
    First, you'll be parking in the parking lot for the dog park. It's free parking and there are roughly 40 spaces, so there is plenty of parking. I've never seen more than 20 cars here at any one time. Once parked you'll find the trail head/ start on the northwest side of the lot (opposite the dog ...
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  • Mount Baldy, California

    Summit Mt. Baldy

    4.8
    12.12 mi / 5958 ft gain
    Located only an hour’s drive from Los Angeles is the top of highest mountain in LA County—at 10,064 feet. Bear Flat Trail (also called the Old Mt. Baldy Trail) offers some of the finest scenery and most rewarding views in the San Gabriel Mountains high country. With nearly 6000 ft of elevation g...
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  • Dana Point, California

    Walk the Dana Point Preserve Trail

    5.0
    0.5 mi
    Ocean views the whole time, plenty of wildlife and different species of native plants make this short hike beautiful. With the hike being short enough to complete in the afternoon after a day at the beach you can see a beautiful view of the coastline north and south. There is plenty of parking in...
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  • Dana Point, California

    Dana Point Tide Pools

    5.0
    If you're ever driving on the 5 between San Diego and Los Angeles and traffic is miserable (always), consider making a stop at Dana Point to check out the tide pools. The best place is behind the Ocean Institute which offers plenty of free parking and a short walk behind the building will quickly...
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