10 Of The Best Hikes In Southern California Under An Hour

Spending time outside to take a hike along a nature trail is one of the many joys of living in Southern California. Although we often love to spend a full day outside, oftentimes there’s only time for a jaunt along the trail. When that happens, it’s nice to have a few short hikes to turn to when you don’t have a lot of time to spare.

Here are 10 of our favorite short hikes that you can enjoy in under an hour- they are some of the best hikes in California! It’s the perfect way to refresh yourself when you are short on time. Do you have a favorite on this list?

Point Dume Cove Trail

All Trails/Mike Chang The perfect combination of ocean views and wildlife will completely enchant you on this easy breezy trail in SoCal that is under two miles long.

Read more about Point Dume Cove Trail. Cliffside Drive & Birdview Avenue, Cliffside Dr & Birdview Ave, Malibu, CA 90265, USA

Franklin Canyon Park Trails

googlemaps/sean tiner You’ll find a variety of brief but beautiful hikes nestled inside Franklin Canyon Park. One of our favorites, the Discovery Trail, is only one mile long. When all you have is a quick hour to spend outside, this is the perfect trail to take for a quick pick-me-up out in nature.

Learn more about Franklin Canyon Park Trails here. Franklin Canyon Drive, Franklin Canyon Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210, USA

The La Jolla Coast Trail

googlemaps/stefan piperov A purely magnificent view of the coastline is what you’ll find along the La Jolla Coast Trail. Located in beautiful La Jolla, this stunning 2.2-mile hike will refresh you in every way possible. When it comes to gorgeous and easy hikes in California, this one is the perfect choice.

Learn more about the La Jolla Coast Trail here. La Jolla Trail, San Diego, CA 92037, USA

Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook

flickr/ryan vaarsi This hike may be short, less than one mile long, but that doesn’t mean it’s any less extraordinary. You’ll get a nice workout on this trail that offers a bit of an incline and a wonderful payoff at the end in the form of a spectacular city view. It’s certainly named correctly- this is among the most scenic hikes in California.

Read more about the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook here. Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook, Culver City, CA 90232, USA

Wilderness Glen Park

googlemaps/martin marcus Take your pick from a variety of short trails within this urban park in Orange County that is an outdoor oasis of beauty in every direction.

Learn more about Wilderness Glen Park here. Camp Wilderness Road, Camp Wilderness Rd, Clay Township, MN 56470, USA

Bluff Cove Trail

flickr/carlfbagge You’ll be treated to soaring ocean views and jaw-dropping scenery when you take a hike along the Bluff Cove Trail in Southern California. Less than two miles long, 1.7 to be exact, this fairly easy hike is just the remedy you need when you’re seeking some fresh air in a setting that is beyond beautiful. It’s a great kid-friendly hike in Palos Verdes.

Learn more about Bluff Cove Trail here. Bluff Cove Trail, Blf Cv Trl, Palos Verdes Estates, CA 90274, USA

Dixie Canyon Park Trails

googlemaps/david frederick A short and sweet hike tucked inside Dixie Canyon Park is what you’ll find when you head down Dixie Canyon Trail. Less than a mile long, this quick hike will get you away from the hustle and bustle of the city and surround you with natural beauty.

Read more information about Dixie Canyon Park Trails here. Dixie Canyon Park, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423, USA

Oso Creek Trail

googlemaps/nargiza kalanov Head to Oso Creek Trail and you’ll be delighted with all the hikes you can choose. With close to six miles of trails throughout this outdoor paradise, you can pick and choose the hike that’s right for you and make the day out on the trail as short or as long as you’d like. With this flexibility, this one is another great kid-friendly hike in California.

Learn more about Oso Creek Trail. Oso Creek Trail, 24932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo, CA 92692, USA

Guy Fleming Trail

gogolemaps/charles eutsler With the ocean off in the distance along the Guy Fleming Trail, you’ll be soaking up some SoCal scenery on this short .5-mile trail that may be brief but surely doesn’t lack in beauty.

Read more about Guy Fleming Trail here. Guy Fleming Trail, San Diego, CA 92037, USA

Ferndell Trail

googlemaps/martin ruiz Lush greenery at every turn and an abundance of shade to keep you nice and cool on a hot SoCal day is what you’ll find along this short half mile trail in SoCal. If you have a bit more time to spare, you can also extend the hike by taking another nearby connecting trail within the park.

Learn more about Ferndell Trail here.

So many hikes to choose from! Which hike do you want to check out first? If you love SoCal’s outdoorsy side, then you may also want to spend some time in this one Southern California town that is a nature lover’s dream.

All Trails/Mike Chang

The perfect combination of ocean views and wildlife will completely enchant you on this easy breezy trail in SoCal that is under two miles long.

Read more about Guy Fleming Trail here.

Guy Fleming Trail, San Diego, CA 92037, USA

googlemaps/martin ruiz

Lush greenery at every turn and an abundance of shade to keep you nice and cool on a hot SoCal day is what you’ll find along this short half mile trail in SoCal. If you have a bit more time to spare, you can also extend the hike by taking another nearby connecting trail within the park.

Learn more about Ferndell Trail here.

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The OIYS Visitor Center

Best Hikes in California March 11, 2022 Danielle Schwartz What are the best wildflower hikes in California? One of the best wildflower hikes is Borrego Palm Canyon. Located in Anza Borrego Desert State Park, Borrego Palm Canyon is an oasis that has jaw-dropping views of flowers that carpet the whole area. There is a nice low-key hike you can go on at any time of day to take in the amazing sights of ocotillos, desert paintbrushes, and chuparosa flowers. At Antelope Valley Poppy Preserve, you’ll find shockingly bright orange poppies all over the place in April. If you are in the mood for a springtime boost, you should definitely add this preserve to your list. It will brighten your day and provide you with some memorable photo opportunities! Are there any good swimming holes in California? Popular swimming holes in California include Aztec Falls and Lower Deep Creek Canyon. Located close to Lake Arrowhead in the San Bernardino Mountains, Aztec Falls features clear blue water, plenty of sunbathing spots, and pretty views of cliffs. As for Lower Deep Creek Canyon in the San Bernardino National Forest, you will have to take a long hike to find it, but it is certainly worth it! You will absolutely love the rare warm springs and beautiful surroundings the forest has to offer. It’s an idyllic location that feels worlds away from the big cities of California. What is the hottest month of the year in California? July is the hottest month of the year in California, with an average high of 86 degrees and an average low of 71 degrees. Make sure you bring plenty of sunscreen and water if you are hiking in the middle of summer! It may be a dry heat, but the sun is very strong and the sky is often cloudless in the summer months.

The OIYS Visitor Center

Best Hikes in California

March 11, 2022

Danielle Schwartz

What are the best wildflower hikes in California? One of the best wildflower hikes is Borrego Palm Canyon. Located in Anza Borrego Desert State Park, Borrego Palm Canyon is an oasis that has jaw-dropping views of flowers that carpet the whole area. There is a nice low-key hike you can go on at any time of day to take in the amazing sights of ocotillos, desert paintbrushes, and chuparosa flowers. At Antelope Valley Poppy Preserve, you’ll find shockingly bright orange poppies all over the place in April. If you are in the mood for a springtime boost, you should definitely add this preserve to your list. It will brighten your day and provide you with some memorable photo opportunities! Are there any good swimming holes in California? Popular swimming holes in California include Aztec Falls and Lower Deep Creek Canyon. Located close to Lake Arrowhead in the San Bernardino Mountains, Aztec Falls features clear blue water, plenty of sunbathing spots, and pretty views of cliffs. As for Lower Deep Creek Canyon in the San Bernardino National Forest, you will have to take a long hike to find it, but it is certainly worth it! You will absolutely love the rare warm springs and beautiful surroundings the forest has to offer. It’s an idyllic location that feels worlds away from the big cities of California. What is the hottest month of the year in California? July is the hottest month of the year in California, with an average high of 86 degrees and an average low of 71 degrees. Make sure you bring plenty of sunscreen and water if you are hiking in the middle of summer! It may be a dry heat, but the sun is very strong and the sky is often cloudless in the summer months.

The OIYS Visitor Center

One of the best wildflower hikes is Borrego Palm Canyon. Located in Anza Borrego Desert State Park, Borrego Palm Canyon is an oasis that has jaw-dropping views of flowers that carpet the whole area. There is a nice low-key hike you can go on at any time of day to take in the amazing sights of ocotillos, desert paintbrushes, and chuparosa flowers. At Antelope Valley Poppy Preserve, you’ll find shockingly bright orange poppies all over the place in April. If you are in the mood for a springtime boost, you should definitely add this preserve to your list. It will brighten your day and provide you with some memorable photo opportunities!

Are there any good swimming holes in California?

Popular swimming holes in California include Aztec Falls and Lower Deep Creek Canyon. Located close to Lake Arrowhead in the San Bernardino Mountains, Aztec Falls features clear blue water, plenty of sunbathing spots, and pretty views of cliffs. As for Lower Deep Creek Canyon in the San Bernardino National Forest, you will have to take a long hike to find it, but it is certainly worth it! You will absolutely love the rare warm springs and beautiful surroundings the forest has to offer. It’s an idyllic location that feels worlds away from the big cities of California.

What is the hottest month of the year in California?

July is the hottest month of the year in California, with an average high of 86 degrees and an average low of 71 degrees. Make sure you bring plenty of sunscreen and water if you are hiking in the middle of summer! It may be a dry heat, but the sun is very strong and the sky is often cloudless in the summer months.