Solana Beach, California
For outdoor adventures in Solana Beach, California, hiking the Annie's Canyon Trail is a must-visit. This moderate, 2-mile loop trail offers scenic views of the Pacific Ocean and San Elijo Lagoon. The trail is known for its unique sandstone canyon walls and a narrow slot section that adds to its appeal. Another top trail is the San Elijo Lagoon Trail, perfect for bird-watching and spotting local wildlife. For water activities, head to Fletcher Cove Beach Park for surfing and paddleboarding. Nearby, the Cedros Avenue Design District offers unique shopping and dining options after a day of outdoor fun. These are some of the best trails and outdoor activities in and near Solana Beach.
Top Spots in and near Solana Beach
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Dana Point, California
Dana Point Tide Pools
5.0If you're ever driving on the 5 between San Diego and Los Angeles and traffic is miserable (always), consider making a stop at Dana Point to check out the tide pools. The best place is behind the Ocean Institute which offers plenty of free parking and a short walk behind the building will quickly...Read more -
Dana Point, California
Stand Up Paddle Dana Point Harbor
5.0Whether I’m looking for a quick workout on the water, wanting to catch some waves, or simply explore the coastline, Dana Point is one of my favorite places to paddle. There is plenty of parking close to the beach, so you don’t have to walk far with your board. It’s also a great spot to launch as ...Read more -
Warner Springs, California
Eagle Rock via the Pacific Crest Trail
5.06.2 mi / 807 ft gainWith doing more hikes in the SoCal area, I've realized half the battle is just trying to find the damn trailhead.Technically you have 2 ways to enter this trail ... Start from 79 and add a very enjoyable extra 3ish miles, or start from the Warner Springs Fire Station, for a total 7 mile hike.We c...Read more -
Dana Point, California
Walk the Dana Point Preserve Trail
5.00.5 miOcean 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...Read more -
San Juan Capistrano, California
Hike the Pinhead Peak Trail at Ronald W. Caspers Wilderness Park
4.02 mi / 220 ft gainRonald W. Caspers Wilderness Park is the perfect place to getaway from the hubbub of LA. Enjoy the scenic drive north on Ortega Highway before reaching the entrance gate to the park. Parking Fees are currently $3 on Weekdays and $5 on Weekends. Camping Fees vary depending on your group size. The...Read more -
Trabuco Canyon, California
Bell Canyon Trail
3.86 mi / 102 ft gainBell Canyon Trail is an out-and-back trail where you may see wildflowers located near San Juan Capistrano, California.Read more -
Dana Point, California
Salt Creek Trail
5.01.6 mi / 95 ft gainStarting 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 ...Read more -
Dana Point, California
Surf Salt Creek
5.0There are two HUGE parking lots off of PCH, so parking isn't an issue (unless it's on a weekend in the summer, then it does get full). This is a paid lot with a few pay stations located around the parking lot, and they take cash and credit/ debit card...you can pay by the hour. Once you find your...Read more -
Laguna Niguel, California
Colinas Ridge Trail
2.01 mi / 131 ft gainFirst, 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 ...Read more -
Lake Elsinore, California
Hike Bear Canyon Trail to Sitton Peak
6.4 mi / 2200 ft gainA MUST hike for any orange country resident! The hike starts of off Ortega HWY 74 at the Bear Canyon Trail head on the same side of the road as the Ortega oaks candy store. Its recommended you park in the lot across the street from the trail head (tip:there is a working water spicket in the parki...Read more -
Lake Elsinore, California
Sitton Peak
9.36 mi / 2011 ft gainIt's amazing what you can find in your own backyard if you really do you research. In Orange County there are so many awesome hiking options that are often overlooked. The Bear Canyon to Sitton Peak Trail in the San Mateo Wilderness is one of those. Sitton tops out at 3,273 feet and it's a 5 mil...Read more -
Laguna Beach, California
Thousand Steps Pools
4.3Driving down PCH southbound. Park at 9th street Laguna beach. You'l descend 219 stairs to be exact (feels like a 1,000). Once on the beach head to your left (south) until you come across a cave. Head through the cave (tide willing, best to go during a mid-low tide) and continue along the sea-sid...Read more -
Laguna Beach, California
Laguna Beach Caves
3.8Explore some beautiful caves right on the beach in Laguna. The stairs leading down to Thousand Setps Beach are just off the side of PCH at 9th st. You can park anywhere along the PCH on both sides near 9th st. Head down the stairs and the main caves are on the left. To the right there are also s...Read more -
Laguna Beach, California
Thousand Steps Beach
5.0Park at the intersection of Highway 1 and 9th Ave in Laguna Beach. Walk down the steps—there are more like 300 than 1000—and once you hit the beach, head south. When the tide is low, you can walk through a cave and on the other side you will find a couple of shallow pools where you can swim and ...Read more -
Laguna Beach, California
Skimboard Table Rock Beach
Laguna Beach is both the birthplace *and* and the capital of skimboarding, and for good reason: it boasts an impressive array of beaches where (if you know where to look) you can find one where the conditions are right for one of the most difficult but rewarding of water sports. Table Rock is one...Read more -
Laguna Beach, California
Aliso Peak via the Valido Trail
5.01.14 mi / 325 ft gainThe Valido Trail trailhead can be found just off West street off the Pacific Coast Highway, just south of Aliso Beach. Park on West Street past the trailhead. The trail proceeds approximate .5 miles till it intersects with the Aliso Peak Trail. Go left .4 miles to the obvious summit and wooden p...Read more
