Orange, California
Orange, California is a great place for outdoor adventures. It is a treasure trove for outdoor lovers to explore. From awe-inspiring hikes to thrilling attractions, there are plenty of activities to take part in. Popular attractions in and near the area include Irvine Regional Park, Santiago Oaks Regional Park, and Carbon Canyon Regional Park. Orange County also offers a variety of activities such as kayaking, fishing, and camping. Whether you seek a relaxing day out or an adrenaline-filled adventure, Orange County has something for everyone. With so many activities to choose from, you are sure to find something to adore.
Top Spots in and near Orange
-
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 -
Los Angeles, California
Descanso Steps
3.50.1 mi / 20 ft gainThe steps are a series of stairways you will find throughout Silver Lake and neighboring areas. They facilitated people from the neighborhood in getting to the “red” streetcars, that used to run throughout the city. Cool relics of a mostly-forgotten past. These particular steps take you down from...Read more -
Los Angeles, California
Piano Mural Staircase aka “Murray Staircase”
5.00.08 mi / 69 ft gainThe “Piano Stairs” is a stair mural in Silver Lake neighborhood section of LA. Not to be confused with the “Music Box” staircase that is close by. These 90 steps were painted to look like the piano keyboard by the artist Carrey. Great for a cardio workout and not as creepy as some of the stairs h...Read more -
Los Angeles, California
Micheltorena Stairs
3.00.19 mi / 75 ft gainI preferred the steps, before anything was painted on them. Whoever thought it would be a great idea to do that was wrong. No upkeep and these stairs have been heavily vandalized. The steps are a series of stairways you will find throughout Silver Lake and neighboring areas. They facilitated peo...Read more -
Claremont, California
Stoddard Peak Trail
4.05.93 mi / 1129 ft gainOn 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 ...Read more -
Claremont, California
Stoddard Canyon Falls (Baldy Slide Waterfall)
0.74 mi / 174 ft gainLocated 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...Read more -
Los Angeles, California
Secret Stairs Astro Loop
2.34.21 mi / 600 ft gainI learned about these remnants of Los Angeles history, just a few months ago. When I found myself in L.A. this past month, I decided to find some of these stairs, and find out what they’re all about. Back in the 1920’s these stairs were created for pedestrians to have direct routes to the trans...Read more -
Mount Baldy, California
Sunset Peak via South Trailhead
4.07.16 mi / 1493 ft gainIn 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...Read more -
Los Angeles, California
Landa St Stairs (Esther's Steps)
4.50.18 mi / 138 ft gainOne of the hidden gems of the neighborhood, a beloved local named Esther Aagaard Tapebland walked these steps everyday, for 50 years in Silver Lake. Fountain Ave becomes Landa St. Park on Griffith Park Ave and hike your way up the steep driveway. Amazing views of Hollywood, the Hollywood Sign, th...Read more -
Altadena, California
Thalehaha Falls
1.71 mi / 679 ft gainThe trails starts in a foothill neighborhood of Altadena CA at the corner of Pleasantridge Dr. and Rubio Vista Rd. This is one of the better entries into the Angeles National Forest because it is one of the lesser known. Find a place to park on the street and head out on the trail into Rubio Cany...Read more -
Altadena, California
San Gabriel via Sam Merrill and Mount Lowe Trails
17.55 mi / 5614 ft gainSan Gabriel via Sam Merrill and Mount Lowe Trails is a loop trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Altadena, California.Read more -
Manhattan Beach, California
Take a Sunset Surf at Manhattan Beach
4.4Manhattan Beach Pier is a popular spot in the South Bay of Los Angeles for surfers of all levels. With its exposed beach break with consistent surf and more than 300 days of sun per year, you can pretty much always count on good weather in Manhattan Beach so you can surf no matter the season. Ide...Read more -
Altadena, California
Echo Mountain and Inspiration Point Loop
4.110.16 mi / 3369 ft gainThe trail switchbacks up the mountain before reaching the first historic marker, in 3 miles. These are the remains of the Mount Lowe Railroad, which brought customers to Echo Mountain Resort, also in ruins, nearby. Explore the historic sites, then head up Castle Canyon Trail. A steep climb will ...Read more -
Los Angeles, California
Hoover Walk
4.5In 2009, the people that lived in the neighborhood, close to the stairs, wanted to find a way to fight the graffiti that was being put on the structures and stairs themselves. Artist Ricardo Mendoza was commissioned to paint a giant mural that would cover most of the concrete walls that surround ...Read more -
San Clemente, California
Beach Day at San Onofre
5.0This spot is no secret but it’s by far one of the best beaches California has to offer and has been regarded since the 1950s as a friendly surfing sanctuary. The beach is divided into three surf spots (named from North to South), known as “The Point,” “Old Man’s,” and “Dogpatch.” To access the be...Read more -
Mount Baldy, California
Summit Mt. Baldy
4.812.12 mi / 5958 ft gainLocated 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...Read more