Mission Viejo, California

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

Top Hiking Spots in and near Mission Viejo

  • Rancho Palos Verdes, California

    Sacred Cove View Trail

    4.7
    2.08 mi / 292 ft gain
    This 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...
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  • Avalon, California

    Trans-Catalina Trail

    5.0
    37.67 mi / 8189 ft gain
    This adventure is a great way to see the entire island of Santa Catalina. Catalina Island is situated less than 30 miles off the coast of Southern California, and can be reached by ferry from Dana Point, San Pedro, or Long Beach. Catalina Express in the company that operates the ferry. This adve...
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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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  • Claremont, California

    Stoddard Canyon Falls (Baldy Slide Waterfall)

    0.74 mi / 174 ft gain
    Located near the Angeles National Forest, it's a short hike, approx. 0.75 miles roundtrip and just about anybody can go. To get there, input the intersection of Mt. Baldy Rd. and Barrett Stoddard Truck Trail into your GPS. This will bring you to a small dirt parking lot. The trailhead starts a...
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  • Rancho Palos Verdes, California

    Terranea Beach Sea Cave

    4.3
    1.63 mi / 210 ft gain
    Head to the Pelican Cove parking lot where there’s plenty of free parking right at the trailhead. From the parking lot, take the Terranea Beach Trail and you will see views of the Point Vicente Lighthouse down the coast to your right. Continue on the trail through the luxury Terranea Resort whic...
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  • Rancho Palos Verdes, California

    Pelican Cove

    0.38 mi / 95 ft gain
    Getting There Coming from San Pedro, make a U-turn at the Hawthorne Boulevard stoplight onto Palos Verdes Drive South. From here, you can access the parking lot for Pelican Cove, where you'll get a 120° view of the ocean. It might be tempting to take in the sunset from the car, but you should def...
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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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  • Lytle Creek, California

    Old CC Spur Trail via Big Tree Cucamonga Rd

    5.11 mi / 1138 ft gain
    Old CC Spur Trail via Big Tree Cucamonga Rd is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a waterfall located near Fontana, California.
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  • Monrovia, California

    Monrovia Falls

    3.7
    1.46 mi / 459 ft gain
    Monrovia Falls is closed indefinitely due to the Bobcat Fire and mudslides. Read more on the CityofMonrovia.org website. The Monrovia Falls are at the end of the main trail located in Monrovia Canyon Park. The park is easy to locate and has ample parking. Keep in mind you do have to pay a fee of...
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  • La Verne, California

    Cattle Canyon Trail

    6.7 mi / 1066 ft gain
    Within the San Gabriel Mountains from Highway 39 and along East Fork Road is Cattle Canyon. To go through Cattle Canyon, you can access the trail head just south of the Bridge to Nowhere trail head along East Fork Road right after it intersects with Glendora Mountain Road. There is a small parkin...
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  • Los Angeles, California

    Ascot Hills

    3.5
    2.11 mi / 446 ft gain
    Ascot Hills Park is a great hidden gem located a few miles east of Los Angeles. There is a parking lot with plenty of parking but the gates close at sunset, which is a great time to go, so if you plan on staying later, park outside the gates where there is ample street parking. Depending on the s...
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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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  • La Verne, California

    Bridge to Nowhere via East Fork Trail

    4.5
    9.65 mi / 1798 ft gain
    The trail on this 10-mile hike is predominately slow and steady, but can be a little rocky, so be prepared to scramble. When you’re fording the river, the water level can range from knee to chest high, especially in the wet months. A good pair of waterproof hiking boots is helpful, but water shoe...
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  • Palos Verdes Estates, California

    Bluff Cove

    4.4
    0.56 mi / 144 ft gain
    Parking 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...
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  • Mount Baldy, California

    Three T’s Trail

    15.7 mi / 5099.74 ft gain
    The Three T's Trail is one of the most ambitious day hikes in Southern California — a 15.7-mile loop that summits three named peaks in the Mt. Baldy area of Angeles National Forest while gaining over 5,000 vertical feet. The "Three T's" refer to Telegraph Peak (8,985 ft), Thunder Mountain (8,587 ...
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  • Mount Baldy, California

    Cucamonga Peak via Icehouse Canyon

    4.6
    11.13 mi / 4157 ft gain
    Start hiking early, before the sun rises so you can maximize the day out of the heat and to give yourself plenty of time for the hike. As you get to higher elevations, it will be a little cooler and there might be snow on the ground, so be sure to pack layers. This hike requires a permit. If yo...
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