California
California offers a diverse range of outdoor activities. The state boasts pristine coastlines, granite mountains, and expansive redwood forests. Travelers can explore the Alamere Falls, which empties directly into the Pacific Ocean, or visit McWay Falls in Big Sur, a prominent waterfall visible from Highway 1. For those interested in hiking, the Sunrise Lakes to Clouds Rest trail is a notable choice, while the Lands End Trail in San Francisco provides a scenic coastal walk. Whether you're looking to hike, camp, or simply enjoy the outdoors, California has something for everyone.
Top Spots in and near California
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Benton, California
Photograph Wild Mustangs in Mono County
Since these are wild horses, tracking them can be difficult. However, they tend to play and graze in a certain field in Mono County, right outside of Mammoth Lakes and Yosemite! From CA-395 turn onto CA-120 towards Mono Lake. Take this road for 21 miles until you reach Dobie Meadows Road, a one l...Read more -
Los Angeles, California
Reseda Point
4.00.2 mi / 30 ft gainFrom the 118 FWY, exit Reseda and head north until you pass by Calle Vista Circle. Once passed, make a U-turn and park on the side of the street. Here you will find the trailhead for the Palisades Trail Hike. To get to the scenic lookout, simply walk up the short trail leading up the hill, and h...Read more -
Furnace Creek, California
Hike Golden Canyon, Death Valley
5.01.5 mi / 685 ft gainGolden Canyon is located about 10 minutes south of Furnace Creek in Death Valley NP, on Badwater Road. Entering "Golden Canyon, Death Valley" into your phone or GPS will take you to the Golden Canyon parking area. The trail starts right off the parking lot and goes for about 1.5 miles to Red Cath...Read more -
Campo, California
Hike Corte Madera Mountain
7.75 mi / 2375 ft gainFrom Buckman Springs Road, turn onto Corral Canyon OHV/Morena Stokes Valley Rd and drive almost 5 miles to a green gate with a red heart on it, this is the trailhead. Just past the turn is the parking area that fits 5-6 vehicles. Walk across the road past the locked gate and head up the oak cover...Read more -
Klamath, California
False Klamath Cove
4.0Wilson Beach in False Klamath Cove is a small but scenic spot in Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park. Surrounded by thick forest, the dark gray sandy beach is scattered with driftwood, interesting rocks formations, and tide pools. The small free parking area has picnic tables and is a popular spo...Read more -
Berkeley, California
Stonewall Panoramic Trail
4.51.44 mi / 663 ft gainFrom the trailhead at Stonewall Road, the 1.5-mile trail makes for an excellent before or after-work run. But the steep hills and loose ground aren’t for those looking to find an easy nature walk. The incline starts well before the Stonewall-Panoramic trailhead, so you won’t even have time to w...Read more -
Plumas County, California
Camp at Last Chance Creek Campground on Lake Almanor
This PG&E campsite is located on the northern most inlet of Lake Almanor and is slightly more remote than the other sites around Lake Almanor. The campground offers spectacular views and easy access to great fishing. To get there, head east out of the town of Chester on Highway 36. After cros...Read more -
Truckee, CaliforniaThe Five Lakes Hike
4.0The Five Lakes Trail is located in the Granite Chief Wilderness in between Alpine Meadows and Squaw Valley ski resorts and is easily accessible at the intersection of Alpine Meadows and Deer Park roads. The 5-mile moderate trail ascends approximately 900-1000 ft. along granite canyons and pine f...Read more -
Shasta County, California
Seven Lake Loop in Lassen Volcanic NP
11.54 mi / 1545 ft gainThis hike is one of my favorites for when I only have a weekend to get my nature fix. To start off, visit either the Loomis Museum, Loomis Ranger Station, Butte Lake Ranger Station, Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center, Warner Valley Ranger Station, or Juniper Lake Ranger Station and pick up a wildern...Read more -
Sequoia National Park, California
Backpack to Big Bird Lake & Moose Lake
30 mi / 8000 ft gainThis trip requires a wilderness permit. You can get one at the Lodgepole Visitor Center where you can also rent a bear canister or use the bathroom before heading out.Wolverton Trailhead -> Big Bird Lake (~12 miles)The start of the trail is on the left side of the parking lot and towards the m...Read more -
Point Arena, California
Explore the Point Arena Lighthouse and Trail
5.00.5 miPoint Arena Lighthouse is situated on the piece of land that is the closest to the Hawaiian Islands from the continental United States. The lighthouse stands at 115 feet high and you are able to go to the top. I did not have time for this, unfortunately but definitely something I will take advant...Read more -
South Lake Tahoe, California
Hike to Snow Lake in Desolation Wilderness
5.05 miThis wonderful alpine lake is a relatively short hike in Desolation Wilderness and is a perfect introduction to off trail exploration. This area lacks the crowds that other lakes in Desolation garner because most maps don't show the trail leading to the lake. Although there is a rough trail, the ...Read more -
Malibu, California
Backbone Trail via Kanan Dume
5.04.47 mi / 1089 ft gainFair warning, it can get very hot in Malibu, especially in the summer or fall. We started at the Kanan Dume Road lot. It fills up quick, both directions offer beautiful hiking, but most people tend to go west, it seems. While that's beautiful, you end on a decent uphill, so if hiking is new or c...Read more -
Colfax, California
Hike to the Jumping Rock on the Bear River
2 mi / 150 ft gainThough lesser known than its neighbors the Yuba and the American, the Bear River still features fantastic hiking, swimming, river-raft, tubing, and rock-jumping but without the crowds.A local favorite spot, the "Jumping Rock" near the Dog Bar Crossing, provides an excellent hike with several swim...Read more -
ONION VALLEY, California
Onion Valley to Kearsarge Pass
5.09.6 mi / 2661 ft gainThis trail starts at the Onion Valley Trailhead. This trail is in the John Muir Wilderness and ends at Kearsarge Pass, the boundary for Kings Canyon National Park. The first section of trail takes you up a series of switchbacks before reaching a plateau at Gilbert Lake. From Gilbert Lake the tra...Read more -
Riverside County, California
Barker Dam Loop
5.01.28 mi / 85 ft gainThe Barker Damn trail is a 1.5 mile loop trail across flat terrain which makes it great for the whole family. The hike starts out from the Barker Dam parking lot which is shared with the Wall Street Mill trailhead. You can find the Barker Dam trailhead just to the left of the bathrooms. After ...Read more
