Santa Monica, California
The best Trails and Outdoor Activities in Santa Monica, California offer a variety of top outdoor adventures. The Temescal Canyon Loop is a must-visit with its 2.6-mile trail that offers stunning ocean views and a scenic waterfall. For a more challenging hike, the Los Liones Trail is a 7.3-mile trail that takes you through lush greenery and offers panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean. The Santa Monica Beach bike path is a 22-mile long flat trail perfect for cycling, running, and walking. If you're into bird watching, the Ballona Wetlands is a great spot. For rock climbing, head to Point Dume in nearby Malibu. Remember to respect the outdoors and leave no trace behind. Enjoy your outdoor adventures in Santa Monica!
Top Spots in and near Santa Monica
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Avalon, California
Camp at Parsons Landing
5.07 mi / 0 ft gainThe distance can vary depending on where you start. It is a 2.5 mile hike from Emerald Bay or 7 mile hike from Two Harbors or you can kayak in. There are 8 primitive campsites (6 people/ site) which means there is no running water, no supplies...you must pack in everything. The campsites are spre...Read more -
Glendora, CaliforniaPoop Out Trail
5.04.84 mi / 1624 ft gainPoop Out Trail is a loop trail where you may see wildflowers located near Glendora, California.Read more -
Pearblossom, California
Cooper Canyon Trail Camp
5.37 mi / 1214 ft gainThere's a small parking lot just below Cloudburst Summit on the way to Mount Waterman. Start your adventure there. I'd be hard-pressed to say it's more than 15 yards from the sign for the summit (7018' AMSL). There's a fire road, if you're newer to altitude and don't know how to read a map (or e...Read more -
Pearblossom, California
Snowshoe Buckhorn Ridge Trail
2.5 mi / 700 ft gainLocated 1 mile east of the Mt Waterman Ski Resort, Buckhorn Ski Hill is a great place to enjoy a leisurely stroll through a snow-covered forest, complete with views of towering Mt Waterman. To get here take I-210 toward La Canada, exit on to California Highway 2 (Angeles Crest Highway) heading no...Read more -
Pearblossom, California
Mt. Waterman
5.05.87 mi / 1499 ft gainMt. Waterman is accessed along Highway 2 in the Angeles National Forest. Heading east from La Canada look for mileage marker 58.0 (34 miles from La Canada) just past the closed ski resort. Park at one of the large paved turnouts on your left. Display an Adventure Pass ($5 at Ranger Station or Big...Read more -
Avalon, California
Visit Two Harbors, Catalina Island
5.0Just 30 miles from the commotion and congestion of Los Angeles, is a small island village that time seems to have left behind. You won't find the usual traffic, development, and big crowds here. You won't find movie theaters, concert venues, hotels, nightclubs, or sporting events either. At Cata...Read more -
Avalon, California
Camp at Catalina's Two Harbors
4.8An island camping escape is a mere 50 minute boat ride away from the southern California coast. If you're feeling generous with your funds, you can also opt for a helicopter ride, leaving out of Long Beach and 15 minutes later landing in Catalina Island.Two Harbors campground is unique with the a...Read more -
Two Harbors, California
Day Hike across Catalina: Two Harbors to Avalon
21 miThis hike was one of the most difficult and definitely one of the most memorable hikes I’ve ever done. The view of the island and the surrounding water is surreal and I am yet to be anywhere like this hike. The dry California vegetation of the mountains matched with the bright blue endless backgr...Read more -
Pearblossom, California
Cooper Canyon Falls via Burkhart Trail
5.03.01 mi / 755 ft gainBurkhart Trail is well-defined and easy to follow through an unbelievable old growth of Jeffrey pines, incense-cedars and surprisingly, redwoods! At 0.25 miles, there is a steep spur trail near a large pile of boulders that leads to a popular swimming area, often frequented by guests of the campg...Read more -
Azusa, California
Smith Mountain Trail
6.69 mi / 3189 ft gainSmith Mountain Trail is an awesome day hike located near Glendora, California. This out-and-back trail offers great views of the Los Angeles National Forest and the potential for continuation to Bear Creek for even more variety of scenery. Smith Mountain is a moderately strenuous hike with an el...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 -
Azusa, California
Lewis Falls
1 mi / 732 ft gainLocated deep in the Angeles National Forest above Azusa, this short but at times challenging hike rewards you with a beautiful fifty-foot waterfall. The base of the waterfall is only a foot at its deepest, so I wouldn't rush to bring a bathing suit with you. Protected by the heavy forestry around...Read more -
Newport Beach, California
Newport Pier
4.9Newport Pier is located just south of Huntington Beach at the center of the Balboa Peninsula. Balboa Pier, the more crowded pier of Newport Beach, is nearby to the south. Thanks to the awesome weather of Southern California, there’s no reason this beach can’t be enjoyed all year long, which means...Read more -
Los Angeles County, California
Mt. Williamson via Islip Saddle
4.16 mi / 1519 ft gainThe trailhead is immediately off of Angeles Crest Highway CA-2 at Islip Saddle. It's just a touch over 2 miles to reach the summit, through which you'll be hiking among the pine tree forest practically the entire way up (part of this trail doubles as the Pacific Crest Trail). The summit is larg...Read more -
Castaic, California
Hiking the Piru Creek Gorge Trail
Take the I-5 exit North of Castaic, CA at Templin Hwy. Turn onto Golden State Hwy heading the only direction it goes from the exit, North. When it dead-ends in a few miles at the National Forest Gate, you are at Frenchman's Flat.You can camp here, or hang with the day hikers. Heading North along ...Read more -
La Verne, California
Cattle Canyon Trail
6.7 mi / 1066 ft gainWithin the San Gabriel Mountains from Highway 39 and along East Fork Road is Cattle Canyon. To go through Cattle Canyon, you can access the trail head just south of the Bridge to Nowhere trail head along East Fork Road right after it intersects with Glendora Mountain Road. There is a small parkin...Read more
