Rancho Palos Verdes, California

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

Top Hiking Spots in and near Rancho Palos Verdes

  • Laguna Niguel, California

    Dripping Cave in the Aliso & Wood Canyons Wilderness

    4.4
    7.68 mi / 889 ft gain
    Dripping 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...
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  • Silverado, California

    Black Star Canyon Falls

    4.8
    6.93 mi / 1260 ft gain
    Waterfalls in Orange County are far and few between, with the best lying near and inside the Cleveland National Forest. Black Star Canyon Falls are some of the best just after a rain if you are heading out during a dry time of the season you should still expect to see some water. Free parking, ea...
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  • 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...
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  • Lake Forest, California

    Borrego Canyon to Red Rock Canyon Trails

    4.7
    4.25 mi / 518 ft gain
    Just south east of the city of Irvine, on the southern end of Orange County, is the scenic Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park. Don't let the newly developed shopping centers restaurants fool you, because just beyond the parking lot ($3 Daily Use Fee) of the Borrego Canyon Trailhead, you will find your...
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  • Glendora, California

    Poop Out Trail

    5.0
    4.84 mi / 1624 ft gain
    Poop Out Trail is a loop trail where you may see wildflowers located near Glendora, California.
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  • Malibu, California

    Scenic Trail

    4.0
    1.53 mi / 322 ft gain
    The trailhead is located in the day use area of Point Mugu State Park.  Park in the day use area parking lot. There is a parking fee of $12/day or $3/hr.   From the parking lot, walk through the campground until you reach the old service road.  After passing through the gate, turn left at the si...
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  • Dana Point, California

    Salt Creek Trail

    5.0
    1.6 mi / 95 ft gain
    Starting from the Salt Creek Beach parking lot (a paid lot that takes cash and credit cards and charges by the hour with pay stations at a few points in the parking lots), you head west towards the ocean...through a tunnel and down the hill towards the beach. Once you get to the basketball court ...
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  • Chino Hills, California

    Adobe Loop

    3.0
    1.92 mi / 312 ft gain
    The best place to park for this hike is at Hunter's Hill park. From there, the trailhead is located on Natalie Road just South of the park. There is a large sign marking the start of the trail, but it does not give a name for either the trail head or the trail itself. For reference, it is the But...
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  • Stevenson Ranch, California

    Towsley Canyon Loop

    4.5
    5.84 mi / 1460 ft gain
    The Towsley Canyon Loop can be done in either a clockwise or counter-clockwise loop. The clockwise path starts with a gradual ascent through Wiley Canyon and steep descent into the Towsley Gorge while a counter-clockwise route starts with a steep climb out of Towsley Canyon and a gradual descent ...
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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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  • 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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  • Newbury Park, California

    Boney Peak

    4.0
    12.04 mi / 3025 ft gain
    The 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...
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  • Ventura County, California

    Sycamore Canyon Falls

    5.0
    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...
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  • Malibu, California

    Camp at Point Mugu State Park's Thornhill Broome Campground

    5.0
    Beach camping in California seems elusive these days, but we were able to pitch our tent just feet from the surf! We stayed for two nights and felt like we had our own private stretch of beach. First, you'll want to make reservations at www.reserveamerica.com. It was fairly easy to reserve a spot...
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  • Palmdale, California

    Hike to Vetter Mountain and the Fire Lookout Tower

    2.8 mi / 550 ft gain
    If you're looking for an easy mountain to hike, and perhaps give the kids something interesting to learn about at the top, then Vetter Mountain may fit the bill.  At 5,908', and with a trailhead at about 5,350', this 1.4 mile (one way) hike only climbs about 550' vertical.   The trailhead is loca...
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  • Los Angeles County, California

    Placerita Canyon Falls

    5.0
    4.7 mi / 764 ft gain
    Placerita Canyon Falls in Los Angeles County, California is a moderately difficult trail due to the 4.7-mile roundtrip hike and 760+ft of elevation gain. If hiking, plan for a couple of hours to complete this trail.   The trail is open year-round, but the waterfall is best after a recent rain. D...
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