Santa Clarita, California
The best Trails and Outdoor Activities in Santa Clarita, California, offer a diverse range of scenic outdoor adventures. The Placerita Canyon Nature Center, a must-visit, has trails that wind through oak woodland and chaparral, leading to a striking waterfall and the unique "Oak of the Golden Dream." For a more challenging hike, the 5-mile Towsley Canyon Loop offers panoramic views of the Santa Clarita Valley and fascinating rock formations. For those interested in bird-watching and fishing, Castaic Lake is a top choice. The Santa Clara River and the Pacific Crest Trail also provide opportunities for hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking. Santa Clarita indeed offers some of the best outdoor activities and attractions for everyone.
Top Spots in and near Santa Clarita
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Rancho Palos Verdes, California
Sacred Cove View Trail
4.52.08 mi / 292 ft gainThis 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...Read more -
Lancaster, California
Little Butte Trail
4.02.09 mi / 213 ft gainLittle Butte Trail is an out-and-back trail that is moderately difficult located near Llano, California.Read more -
Lancaster, California
Saddleback Butte State Park Loop
0.58 mi / 46 ft gainSaddleback Butte State Park is a state park in the Antelope Valley of the western Mojave Desert. It’s oftentimes looked over, but you’d be surprised what you can find there. Definitely a place to stop. It is located east of Lancaster. It can get hot so make sure to bring lots of water and wear su...Read more -
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 -
Emma Wood State Beach, California
Surf Emma Wood State Beach
3.0Park your car along the famous Pacific Coast Highway and watch the waves roll in. Go out surfing, kiteboarding, swimming, or kayaking. Emma Wood State Beach is a fairly exposed beach and reef break that has reliable surf. Summer offers the most-favored conditions for surfing. Both breaks get cro...Read more -
Signal Hill, California
Hilltop Park
4.7Hilltop Park is located in Signal Hill and offers an unmatched panoramic view of the Los Angeles Basin. If you go on a clear day, you may even be lucky enough to see Catalina Island and the Santa Monica and San Gabriel Mountains. This park is the perfect spot for families, dogs, and even dates. T...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 -
La Verne, California
Marshall Canyon Trail
4.05.99 mi / 722 ft gainFor this adventure you can choose to start in a multiple of places; for the easiest parking use Oak Mesa Park located next to Oak Mesa Elementary School. From the parking lot cross the soccer field towards the bridge on the north east end of the school. Once across the bridge follow Los Robles ea...Read more -
Valyermo, California
Blue Ridge Trail via Inspiration Point
4.97 mi / 692 ft gainThere are two trail heads for the Blue Ridge Trail, one via the Grassy Hollow Visitor Center, and the other across from Inspiration Point. When parking gets crowded over at Grassy Hollow Visitor Center, than parking at Inspiration Point is the better option. To access the Blue Ridge Trail from In...Read more -
Maricopa, California
Bear Trap Campground via Gene Marshall/Piedra Blanca Trail
9.59 mi / 2211 ft gainThere's no better feeling then camping out and having a whole site to you and your friends...wouldn't you agree?!?! ...Deep in the Sespe Wilderness in Ojai, California sits a tucked away, well-managed campsite called "Bear Trap Campground". This campsite can be reached at any point of the year a...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 -
Maricopa, California
Camp and Boulder at Pine Mountain
Pine Mountain is closed intermittently for the winter season due to snowfall, usually from November through February. Outside of those months, take the Highway 33 north out of Ojai, heading north for about an hour and a half. You’ll see a large turnout as well as a sign reading “Pine Mt Road” on ...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 -
Wrightwood, California
Snow Hike Lightning Ridge
5.1 mi / 900 ft gainWhen you hear the report about snow in the San Gabriels, it's time to plan this hike!Only a short 90 minute drive is all that separates nearly a third of California's population from high-altitude snowy adventures. This isn't about Yosemite, but Southern California's very own San Gabriel Mountain...Read more -
Llano, California
Table Mountain Campground
Table Mountain Campground is a hilly campground that offers ADA-accessible sites, pit toilets, fire rings, picnic tables, BB! grill, water, and parking spaces for a two-car limit. Rules are strictly enforced, which is great, so we can enjoy nature and not someone’s party/music. Book your campgro...Read more -
Long Beach, California
Red Car Greenbelt
5.00.63 mi / 0 ft gainThe Greenbelt used to be the right-of-way for the long lost Pacific Electric Red Car, an amazing system of public transportation that connected Long Beach, LA, Orange Coutny, and even San Bernardino. The pathways are landscaped with plants typical of the area and plenty of native flowers for the...Read more
