Southern California is just full of natural beauty, and we’re lucky to have hundreds of hiking trails to take us deep into the wilderness to witness that beauty. We love to feature hiking trails in our articles, and today we’ve compiled a list of 9 of the best hikes in Southern California for you. Below each description, you’ll find a link to our feature article that has more photos and details.
- Lava Tube Trail: The Trail That Is That Is Sheer Magnificence
Andrew/flickr You’ll need a fairly sturdy car to even get to Lava Tube Trail, but once you do, it’s just a quarter mile to something enchanting. Check out the Lava Tube with its heavenly ray of light! For more information, read our full article here. Lava Tube Trailhead, Aiken Mine Rd, California, USA
- Quail Hill Loop: The Little-Known Trail That’s Positively Enchanting
Shane J./Yelp You’ll find Quail Hill Loop in Irvine. It’s a short two-mile hike that’s perfect for everyone in the family - it’s flat and easy and even allows the family dog to join in the fun! For more information, read our full article here. Quail Hill Trailhead, 34 Shady Canyon Dr, Irvine, CA 92603, USA
- Slot Canyon: The Unrivaled Canyon Hike In Southern California Everyone Should Take At Least Once
Kimquyen L./Yelp You’ll find Slot Canyon in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. The hike is less than one mile long, but it’s hot out here in the desert, so you’ll want to bring plenty of water. The views are stunning. For more information, read our full article here. Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, 200 Palm Canyon Dr, Borrego Springs, CA 92004, USA
- Mt. Woodson Trail: The Wicked Awesome Hike That Everyone Must Experience At Least Once
Malia H./Yelp The Mt. Woodson Trail, in San Diego County, is an eight-mile round trip hike that takes you to some stunning places, including Potato Chip Rock. You definitely need a photo of this! For more information, read our full article here. Mount Woodson Trailhead, Mount Woodson Trail, Poway, CA 92064, USA
- Bronson Canyon Hiking Trail: The Hike to An Aboveground That Gives You A Surreal Experience
Elizabeth M./Yelp Take Bronson Canyon Hiking Trail in Griffith Park to find a hidden, aboveground cave. It’s a short hike of less than one mile, and it leads you to a surreal cave that might look familiar - it’s a popular film location. For more information, read our full article here. Bronson Canyon / Caves, 3200 Canyon Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90068, USA
- Los Penasquitos Canyon Preserve: The Picturesque Day Hike That Leads To A Stunning Hidden Waterfall
Lauren P./Yelp This gorgeous trail takes you across a quaint foot bridge, up a charming set of stairs and along a little footpath through the woods. Once you reach the end, you’ll be rewarded with a stunning hidden waterfall. For more information, read our full article here. Los Penasquitos Canyon Trail, San Diego, CA, USA
- The Sierra High Route: The Trail National Geographic Named One Of The Best In The World
mlhradio/flickr The Sierra High Route takes you through some of California’s most beautiful rugged country. The trail is 195 miles long, but you can choose one of the five main sections to complete. For more information, read our full article here. High Sierra Trailhead, California 93262, USA
- The Grotto Trail: The Awe-Inspiring Hike That Will Become Your New Favorite Destination
Olga K/Yelp The Grotto Trail at Circle X Ranch in Malibu is a true hidden gem. It’s just a short three-mile round trip trail, and it’s just brimming with natural beauty. For more information, read our full article here. Circle X Ranch, 12896 Yerba Buena Rd, Malibu, CA 90265, USA
- Castle Rock Trail: The Spectacular Trail Everyone Needs To Take As Soon As Possible
daveynin/flickr Castle Rock Trail is just three miles long, but it quickly puts you right in the heart of the forest. You’ll be surrounded by tall trees, huge boulders, and then rewarded with an incredible view of Big Bear Lake. For more information, read our full article here. Castle Rock Trail 1W03, Big Bear Blvd, Big Bear Lake, CA 92315, USA
These are some of the best hikes in Southern California. Which of these is your favorite?
Andrew/flickr
You’ll need a fairly sturdy car to even get to Lava Tube Trail, but once you do, it’s just a quarter mile to something enchanting. Check out the Lava Tube with its heavenly ray of light! For more information, read our full article here.
Lava Tube Trailhead, Aiken Mine Rd, California, USA
Shane J./Yelp
You’ll find Quail Hill Loop in Irvine. It’s a short two-mile hike that’s perfect for everyone in the family - it’s flat and easy and even allows the family dog to join in the fun! For more information, read our full article here.
Quail Hill Trailhead, 34 Shady Canyon Dr, Irvine, CA 92603, USA
Kimquyen L./Yelp
You’ll find Slot Canyon in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. The hike is less than one mile long, but it’s hot out here in the desert, so you’ll want to bring plenty of water. The views are stunning. For more information, read our full article here.
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, 200 Palm Canyon Dr, Borrego Springs, CA 92004, USA
Malia H./Yelp
The Mt. Woodson Trail, in San Diego County, is an eight-mile round trip hike that takes you to some stunning places, including Potato Chip Rock. You definitely need a photo of this! For more information, read our full article here.
Mount Woodson Trailhead, Mount Woodson Trail, Poway, CA 92064, USA
Elizabeth M./Yelp
Take Bronson Canyon Hiking Trail in Griffith Park to find a hidden, aboveground cave. It’s a short hike of less than one mile, and it leads you to a surreal cave that might look familiar - it’s a popular film location. For more information, read our full article here.
Bronson Canyon / Caves, 3200 Canyon Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90068, USA
Lauren P./Yelp
This gorgeous trail takes you across a quaint foot bridge, up a charming set of stairs and along a little footpath through the woods. Once you reach the end, you’ll be rewarded with a stunning hidden waterfall. For more information, read our full article here.
Los Penasquitos Canyon Trail, San Diego, CA, USA
mlhradio/flickr
The Sierra High Route takes you through some of California’s most beautiful rugged country. The trail is 195 miles long, but you can choose one of the five main sections to complete. For more information, read our full article here.
High Sierra Trailhead, California 93262, USA
Olga K/Yelp
The Grotto Trail at Circle X Ranch in Malibu is a true hidden gem. It’s just a short three-mile round trip trail, and it’s just brimming with natural beauty. For more information, read our full article here.
Circle X Ranch, 12896 Yerba Buena Rd, Malibu, CA 90265, USA
daveynin/flickr
Castle Rock Trail is just three miles long, but it quickly puts you right in the heart of the forest. You’ll be surrounded by tall trees, huge boulders, and then rewarded with an incredible view of Big Bear Lake. For more information, read our full article here.
Castle Rock Trail 1W03, Big Bear Blvd, Big Bear Lake, CA 92315, USA
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Hikes in Southern California March 15, 2022 Spencer Schneider Best hikes in Southern California? There are so many hikes in Southern California, it is hard to choose the best one. Hikes can be considered the best for a number of different reasons. Some have the best views, some have the best trail, and some have unique features that you can’t find anywhere else. Keeping this in mind, here are some of our favorite hikes in Southern California. Mt. Baldy- Mt. Baldy, also known as Mt. San Antonio, is a special Southern California Hike. Mt. Baldy is the tallest peak in Los Angeles, coming in at just over 10,000 feet, making it a popular and difficult hike. Mt. Baldy can be hiked from the very bottom, or, there is a chair lift that can bring you a portion of the way up, where you will then start your hike. Even using the chair lift, this is a long hike that you should be properly prepared for. The Hollywood Sign-A hike up to the Hollywood sign is iconic, and will make for some good pictures. Although you can’t get up close to the sign, this is an iconic Southern California hike that everyone should try at least once. Cowles Mountain- Cowles Mountain hike can be found in San Diego, and is a local favorite. While it is only 3 miles round trip, it is quite steep and lots of locals mix a hike of Cowles Mountain into their regular workout routine. If you want to extend your hike, Pyles Peak can also be reached from the top of Cowles Mountain and will add 3 miles to your hike. With beautiful views of nearby Lake Murray, this is a classic hike that you should check out next time you are in San Diego. Best kid-friendly hikes in Southern California? With so many major hikes in Southern California, it can sometimes be hard to decide whether a hike is too difficult for you kid. However, there are a number of kid-friendly hikes throughout Southern California. Ferndell Trail in Griffith Park and Discovery Trail in Franklin Canyon Park are two of our favorites.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Hikes in Southern California
March 15, 2022
Spencer Schneider
Best hikes in Southern California? There are so many hikes in Southern California, it is hard to choose the best one. Hikes can be considered the best for a number of different reasons. Some have the best views, some have the best trail, and some have unique features that you can’t find anywhere else. Keeping this in mind, here are some of our favorite hikes in Southern California. Mt. Baldy- Mt. Baldy, also known as Mt. San Antonio, is a special Southern California Hike. Mt. Baldy is the tallest peak in Los Angeles, coming in at just over 10,000 feet, making it a popular and difficult hike. Mt. Baldy can be hiked from the very bottom, or, there is a chair lift that can bring you a portion of the way up, where you will then start your hike. Even using the chair lift, this is a long hike that you should be properly prepared for. The Hollywood Sign-A hike up to the Hollywood sign is iconic, and will make for some good pictures. Although you can’t get up close to the sign, this is an iconic Southern California hike that everyone should try at least once. Cowles Mountain- Cowles Mountain hike can be found in San Diego, and is a local favorite. While it is only 3 miles round trip, it is quite steep and lots of locals mix a hike of Cowles Mountain into their regular workout routine. If you want to extend your hike, Pyles Peak can also be reached from the top of Cowles Mountain and will add 3 miles to your hike. With beautiful views of nearby Lake Murray, this is a classic hike that you should check out next time you are in San Diego. Best kid-friendly hikes in Southern California? With so many major hikes in Southern California, it can sometimes be hard to decide whether a hike is too difficult for you kid. However, there are a number of kid-friendly hikes throughout Southern California. Ferndell Trail in Griffith Park and Discovery Trail in Franklin Canyon Park are two of our favorites.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
There are so many hikes in Southern California, it is hard to choose the best one. Hikes can be considered the best for a number of different reasons. Some have the best views, some have the best trail, and some have unique features that you can’t find anywhere else. Keeping this in mind, here are some of our favorite hikes in Southern California.
Mt. Baldy- Mt. Baldy, also known as Mt. San Antonio, is a special Southern California Hike. Mt. Baldy is the tallest peak in Los Angeles, coming in at just over 10,000 feet, making it a popular and difficult hike. Mt. Baldy can be hiked from the very bottom, or, there is a chair lift that can bring you a portion of the way up, where you will then start your hike. Even using the chair lift, this is a long hike that you should be properly prepared for.
The Hollywood Sign-A hike up to the Hollywood sign is iconic, and will make for some good pictures. Although you can’t get up close to the sign, this is an iconic Southern California hike that everyone should try at least once.
Cowles Mountain- Cowles Mountain hike can be found in San Diego, and is a local favorite. While it is only 3 miles round trip, it is quite steep and lots of locals mix a hike of Cowles Mountain into their regular workout routine. If you want to extend your hike, Pyles Peak can also be reached from the top of Cowles Mountain and will add 3 miles to your hike. With beautiful views of nearby Lake Murray, this is a classic hike that you should check out next time you are in San Diego.
Best kid-friendly hikes in Southern California?
With so many major hikes in Southern California, it can sometimes be hard to decide whether a hike is too difficult for you kid. However, there are a number of kid-friendly hikes throughout Southern California. Ferndell Trail in Griffith Park and Discovery Trail in Franklin Canyon Park are two of our favorites.
