Pasadena, California
The best Trails and Outdoor Activities in Pasadena, California include the top-rated Eaton Canyon Trail. This 3.5-mile round trip hike is a must-visit for its scenic views and moderate difficulty level. Along the trail, you'll find a river, a waterfall, and unique rock formations that add to its charm. The trail is also well-known for the Eaton Canyon Natural Area, a 190-acre zoological, botanical, and geological nature preserve at the foot of the San Gabriel Mountains. For more outdoor adventures, check out the Arroyo Seco, a major feature of the city, known for its hiking, cycling, and equestrian trails. Lastly, don't miss the chance to visit the Hahamongna Watershed Park, where you can enjoy bird-watching and view the seasonal wetland habitat.
Top Spots in and near Pasadena
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Newbury Park, California
Boney Peak
4.012.04 mi / 3025 ft gainThe hike begins at the parking lot for Rancho Sierra Vista in Newbury Park, CA just outside LA. Pull into the parking lot and walk on the dirt road until you see the trail for Boney Peak. It is easy to find because the peak can be seen from the beginning of the trail. The trail is generally an in...Read more -
Ventura County, California
Sycamore Canyon Falls
3.3 mi / 545 ft gain...When arriving in the Santa Monica Mountains Recreational Area, take the drive and park at Sycamore Canyon parking lot. Parking is free and also offers restrooms and some history about the park. Follow the trailhead South until you come to the Satwiwa Culture Center on your left and a dome-like...Read more -
Trabuco Canyon, California
Hike the Bellview to Dove Lake Trail
2.5 mi / 75 ft gainThis hike will be about going from the Bellview Trailhead to Dove Lake and back. Note that once you get to Dove Lake there are numerous offshoots that can take you in different directions (you can follow the road into the Dove Canyon housing community, take a paved road back to the Bellview parki...Read more -
Crestline, California
Hike the Heart Rock Trail
4.51.8 miThis short but nice hike near Crestline, CA in the San Bernadino Forest is one for the whole family. Although finding the trailhead/parking lot can be a bit confusing, it is definitely worth it. Driving in from the Inland Empire/LA Area, follow The Rim of the World Trail (SH18) until you see the...Read more -
Laguna Beach, California
Surf Brooks Street Beach
5.0Brooks Street Beach is just a couple of blocks off the Pacific Coast Highway in Laguna Beach. Parking can be tricky, so be forewarned that you may need to walked a few blocks. Winter can be good, but during the summer and big south swells are when you want to go surfing, so be sure to check out ...Read more -
Laguna Niguel, California
Dripping Cave in the Aliso & Wood Canyons Wilderness
4.47.68 mi / 889 ft gainDripping Cave sits tucked away in a corner of Wood Canyon, part of the Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park, and the trail to the cave, while short, requires *at least* a 2.25 mile hike in from the nearest trailhead (West Ridge Trail to Mathis Canyon), though this is less than ideal as that rou...Read more -
Laguna Beach, California
Exploring Pearl Street Beach's Arch Rock
4.0Pearl Street Beach is a great spot to just chill and watch (and photograph) the sunset with friends and family. Parking for the beach can be found on S. Coast Hwy (the 1) and is meter parking. There is also free, but limited parking available along the smaller streets closer to Pearl Street Beach...Read more -
Laguna Niguel, California
Kick Back at Laguna Niguel Regional Park
This is an awesome tucked away little adventure that will have you occupied all day! With plenty of picnic tables you can be sure to have your own privacy tucked into a corner free from other people. Grab a lake side picnic table or even the numerous ones around the grass fields, they are all won...Read more -
Corona, California
Hike to Santiago Peak via Holy Jim
5.015 mi / 4500 ft gainWhen you think of Orange County, you think of beaches, boardwalks, but what you may not know is that there are some great hikes in our very own backyard! My favorite is a fairly strenuous day hiking adventure that only the strong survive. Not to dissuade any interested parties, since this is a ...Read more -
Corona, California
Hike to Holy Jim Falls
3.02.9 mi / 570 ft gainTo start, directions on how to get to the trail there are two different ways, the most common , which I will explain, being through Rancho Santa Margarita you will head east on Santa Margarita Parkway, turn left at the dead end (into a parking lot for a shopping center) on Plano Trabuco Road, thi...Read more -
Laguna Beach, California
Explore Laguna Beach's Pirate Tower
4.4To find this little hidden treasure, put Victoria Beach into your phone as your destination and park for free on S Coast Highway anywhere between Sunset Terrace, McAulay Place, or Victoria Drive. Make your way down any of these streets toward the beach and you will see stairs going down at the en...Read more -
Riverside, California
Hike Two Trees Trail
2.5 mi / 977 ft gainParking is free at the trailhead, but there is only room for approximately five cars. The trailhead is on the edge of a neighborhood, so you can park there if needed. From the parking lot, head west, and immediately veer right and across the bridge. If you go left at the first fork, you can stay ...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 -
Laguna Beach, California
Bodysurf at Aliso Beach
5.0This wave is super fun to bodysurf and shoot photos of when there is a swell. It is a shorebreak so be careful of shallow water and little rocks. It usually isn't too crowded especially on weekdays. Bring your fins and a smile and you have a good time.Read more
