California
Looking for the best hiking in California? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around California. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.
Top Hiking Spots in and near California
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Mono County, California
Leavitt Lake in Stanislaus National Forest
4.07.44 mi / 1385 ft gainSituated on the eastern edge of Emigrant Wilderness, Leavitt Lake is a great introduction to backpacking in the Sierra Nevada. Leavitt Lake is located at the end of Forest Service Route 077 off of Highway 108. It is actually possible to drive to Leavitt Lake, but a high clearance vehicle is requi...Read more -
Crescent City, California
Hike the Boy Scout Tree Trail
5.0With a profusion of titanic trees and an ever expanding landscape, the extraordinary Boy Scout Tree Trail is not so much a hike as it is a showcase of the world's most scenic old growth redwoods. Located within Redwood National and State Parks, this pristine trail feels wonderfully remote. Hardly...Read more -
Malibu, California
Paradise Cove via Point Dume
5.04.74 mi / 338 ft gainYou will start your beach-hiking to Paradise Cove from Point Dume which is located 20 miles north of Santa Monica on Pacific Coast Highway (PCH). On PCH, take left on Westward Beach Road and follow it to the end. Try to park as close to the end of the paid parking lot. You can use the automated m...Read more -
Tahoma, California
Hike to Half Moon Lake in Desolation Wilderness
5.011 mi / 1600 ft gainThis hike starts at the Glen Alpine Trailhead near Fallen Leaf Lake. Because Desolation is a wilderness area, you are required to fill out a day-use permit which can be found at the trailhead. If you are backpacking make sure to obtain an overnight permit either online or at the Taylor Creek Visi...Read more -
Seven Pines, California
Mt. Williamson via Shepherd Pass
5.026.66 mi / 10653 ft gainThis trail starts at the lowest, and generally regarded hardest, trailhead in the Southern Sierras. You quickly gain elevation in what many describe as manageable but relentless. The first section of the hike has nice shade and adequate water access. Very enjoyable company to boot! Once you cros...Read more -
Rancho Palos Verdes, California
Surf Fishing Off Of Inspiration Point
Tucked away, at the base of Inspiration Point in Palos Verdes is an outcropping of rocks, perfect for surf casting and catching ocean fish, away from the crowds. It's a challenge to get there, but the less travelled spot is used by many professional sportsmen, practicing their skills at fishing f...Read more -
Inyo County, California
Racetrack Valley
5.0Death Valley National Park is home to some remarkably surreal landscapes, none stranger than Racetrack Valley and its famous moving rocks. For decades, the mechanism of the rocks’ movement was unknown and the subject of much speculation, some scientific and some not, but the mystery was finally ...Read more -
Big Sur, California
Waters Ridge Trail (Closed)
5.07.13 mi / 2776 ft gainThis trail is temporarily closed. For updates, please head to Parks.CA.Gov. Situated on a cliff above Highway 1, the Waters Ridge Trail offers spectacular views of the rugged coast and soaring condors. This hike above the clouds is a small detour off of the Ewaldson Trail, and is a must see! Ac...Read more -
Arnold, California
Hike To Bull Run Lake
4.3The hike to Bull Run Lake is about 7.8 miles, roundtrip, and begins at the Stanislaus Meadows Trailhead, located about 10 miles West of Ebbetts Pass. There is plenty of parking near the trailhead, off of the South side of CA 4. The trailhead GPS coordinates are: N38 30.376' / W119 56/617'Once you...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 -
Inyo County, California
Lone Pine Lake via Mount Whitney Trail
5.05.88 mi / 1883 ft gainFrom the parking lot at the end of Whitney Portal Road, look for the trailhead, which is marked with a wooden "gate" that shows the map and description of the trail. Starting out at 8,350 ft in elevation, the trail begins a series of switchbacks that lead you into the Sierra Nevada. Take more br...Read more -
Crescent City, California
Camp at Nickel Creek
4.05 mi / 300 ft gainFirst, check in at the Crescent City Ranger Information Center in Crescent City to pick up your free backcountry permit and get permission to park your car at the Crescent City Beach Education Center off of Enderts Beach Road. This is the safest place to park at due to numerous car break-ins at t...Read more -
Brawley, California
Explore the Algodones Sand Dunes
The North Algodones Dunes Wilderness System offers 200 square miles of open dune wilderness to explore. You can do as little or as much as you want in this vast open space. Take a short hike, take lots of pictures, or make it an overnight camping trip in the desert.The dunes are located north of ...Read more -
Big Bear, California
Rock Climb Holcomb Valley
5.0Most of the drive to Holcomb Valley is done on regular paved roads until about the last hour when you get above Big Bear Lake and you start your journey on dirt roads. The road is extremely bumpy and has lots of pot holes but there are generally quite a few cars up there that don't have 4 wheel d...Read more -
Highway 108, California
Hike to Deadman Lake
6 mi / 1700 ft gainStart: 38º19'08.46"N 119º39'49.26"W Elev 8879ftPark along Hwy 108, head down the bank and across the stream at the bottom. There you will find the start of the trail.This is a challenging hike without much of an actual trail to follow for the majority of it. The hike is very steep in certain are...Read more -
Whitethorn, California
King's Peak from Shelter Cove
2.030.85 mi / 6204 ft gainAfter parking at Shelter Cove and securing a camping permit ($3 per night in the backcountry) follow the bear prints down the coastline for 5 miles, keeping in mind that the tide devours the beach every 12 hours. Parts of the beach become impassable at high tide. Camp overnight at Buck Creek, th...Read more