Oak Park, California
Oak Park, California, is a must-visit for those seeking top outdoor adventures. The best trails and outdoor activities can be found here. Among the most popular is the China Flat Trail. This 4.3-mile hike offers a moderate difficulty level and is best known for its scenic views and unique rock formations. Along the trail, you can spot the majestic King Gillette Ranch and the sprawling Malibu Creek. Another highlight is the Paramount Ranch, a historical movie set turned hiking spot. For water activities, head to the nearby Lake Eleanor, perfect for fishing and boating. If you're up for a challenge, try the Santa Monica Mountains, a network of trails with panoramic views. Oak Park is indeed a hub for outdoor activities and attractions.
Top Spots in and near Oak Park
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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 -
Ventura, California
Dive East Fish Camp
The numerous kelp forests, sea caves, and coves of the Channel Island National Park, coupled with its unbelievable sealife makes for some of the best diving in the world. East Fish Camp off Anacapa Island is an excellent introduction to diving on the Channel Islands, with an average depth of 35'...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 -
Pasadena, California
Eaton Canyon Falls via Eaton Canyon Trailhead
4.23.54 mi / 528 ft gainThe hidden forty-foot-tall Eaton Canyon Falls fills an amphitheater at the top of Eaton Canyon Trail, tumbling into a wide pool that you can rest alongside or wade in. Normally the water is waist deep, but during this recent trip, we found the water only to stop at our ankles as it tends to fluct...Read more -
Altadena, California
Eaton Canyon to Idlehour Trail Camp
4.510.99 mi / 3291 ft gainIdlehour is nestled deep in the Angeles National Forest, so it feels like you're in the heart of some untapped wilderness instead of six miles away from a bustling metropolis. The trail camp is accessible by foot through a variety of locations, but the most popular route is through Eaton Canyon, ...Read more -
Los Angeles County, California
Mt. Disappointment via Billy Riley Trail
3.5 mi / 1132 ft gainFrom the 210 Freeway in La Cañada, take California Highway 2 north 14 miles up into the San Gabriel Mountains. Make sure you have your National Forest Pass (sold at REI or Ranger Station) or your Interagency Pass because they have started checking parked vehicles. At the Red Box Picnic area, make...Read more -
Los Angeles County, California
Idlehour Trail
4.014.89 mi / 4665 ft gainIdlehour Trail located near Mount Wilson, California, is an out-and-back trail that is strenuous and can take 8-10 hours if done all at once. There are opportunities to camp off the trail, making this a backpacking trail in the Angeles National Forest as well. To access the Idlehour Campground ...Read more -
Los Angeles County, California
San Gabriel Peak
4.02.79 mi / 1040 ft gainAt 6,000 feet, San Gabriel Peak gives you one of the best views of the Los Angeles basin on the front range of the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument. As you pass through Muller Tunnel, the trail will be littered with rocks and boulders. A little over 100 feet in, the road will fork in thre...Read more -
Lake Hughes, California
Hike the Pacific Crest Trail from Horse Trail to Bear Campground
11.63 mi / 2396 ft gainThis is part of the Pacific Crest Trail. If you're through-hiking or sectional hiking, you'll have to hit it eventually. Try and avoid it in the late summer or early fall because of heat, and gnats. Find a way to check the bug report, we got marauded by gnats 90% of the way (early October) and ap...Read more -
Ventura, California
Dive East Cat Rock
East Cat Rock of Western Anacapa Island is an excellent dive site for experience the vast kelp forests that can be found all along the California Coast and in the Channel Island National Park. The average depth is around 60' feet and clarity varies from day to day. Kelp forest and coldwater divin...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 -
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 -
Whittier, California
Sycamore Canyon Trail in Turnbull Canyon
2.03.47 mi / 627 ft gainThe Sycamore Canyon Park Trailhead can be found at the end of the dirt parking lot off Workman Mill Road. The entrance is off a small road which is pretty easy to miss, but there is a sign off the main road. Soon after you start on the trail, the path opens up onto a larger dirt road for vehicle ...Read more -
Arcadia, California
Sturtevant Falls
4.61.61 mi / 423 ft gainThis trail is currently closed. Visit the Forest Service website for updates. As you head down to Roberts Camp, a historic set of historic cabins, you’ll head out on a steep, paved road for approximately 0.6 miles. Once you reach the camp, head over the bridge and keep an eye out for the sign f...Read more -
Arcadia, California
Mt. Wilson Loop from Chantry Flat
5.012.74 mi / 4852 ft gainMt. Wilson is one of the more difficult mountains in the San Gabriel to hike, making this adventure Intermediate. While 5,700 feet doesn't seem that tall, the mountain has a prominence of almost 5,300 feet, meaning that hike is steeper and longer than some of the other popular mountains that star...Read more
