California
Looking for the best photography 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 Photography Spots in and near California
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Inyo County, California
Backpack Fall Canyon
8 miThe trail head is north of Furnace Creek at the Titus Canyon parking lot which is clearly marked on any park map. On a busy weekend cars are lined up along the road leading to the parking lot which has a restroom. Note that there is no water source here. To begin the hike in, take the trail on th...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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
South Lake Tahoe, California
Rock Climb the 90ft. Wall
5.0Park at the Eagle Creek Canyon parking lot. If it's full, park alongside the Hwy 89, right at the entrance of the Eagle Creek Canyon parking pullout. Both parking areas fill up quickly, so if those two are full, park across the street at Emerald Bay Vikingsholm Trail parking lot. That area can fi...Read more -
Amador County, California
Hike to Thunder Mountain at Carson Pass
7 miThe trailhead begins on Rt 88 just past Kirkwood Resort or Silver Lake - depending on which way you are headed. There is plenty of parking but no other amenities. The trail begins at 7,900 ft and climbs steadily up Two Sentinels then along the ridge to Martins Point, ending at the 9,408ft summit ...Read more -
Redding, California
Houseboat Lake Shasta
1 mi / 1 ft gainLake Shasta sits at the foot of infamous Mt Shasta, past the major Northern California city of Redding. From the Bay Area you can count on at least a 3.5 hour drive to get to waters edge, but the drive goes by quickly just cruising on HWY 5. There are multiple Marinas on Shasta but the largest is...Read more -
Inyo County, California
Fossil Falls Trail
4.30.58 mi / 43 ft gainFossil Falls is located east of Highway 395, a few miles south of Coso Junction, 45 min north of Ridgecrest. There is Bureau of Land Management sign pointing the way, but it is small, faded, and easy to miss, so be on the lookout. After about a mile drive on a marked dirt road, you'll reach the ...Read more -
Shasta County, California
Hike Kanaka Peak
4.53.5 mi / 1100 ft gainHead to the Peltier Bridge Campground after entering Whiskeytown National Recreation Area and then go 1.1 miles along the road through the campground until you reach the trailhead for Kanaka Peak. The road from the campground is open from late spring to late fall, otherwise hikers will need to pa...Read more -
Plumas County, California
Boiling Springs Lake Loop
2.38 mi / 449 ft gainThe hike to Boiling Springs Lake starts at the Warner Valley Trailhead and is only a 3 mile roundtrip hike. It's a fairly easy hike that starts through the valley and then winds up through the forest and eventually opens up to the lake. First thing you'll notice as you approach the lake is the ...Read more -
Danville, California
Hike in Mount Diablo's Madrone Canyon
2.8 mi / 550 ft gainThis hike starts at the Rock City area of Mount Diablo State Park. Begin at the Madrone Canyon Trail, hiking southeast towards the Devils Slide trail. Along this section of the hike, the trail dips into a wooded canyon and follows the path of a small creek. To best experience the beauty of the cr...Read more -
Felton, California
Observation Deck Loop in Henry Cowell Redwoods SP
4.35.3 mi / 869 ft gainThe trail starts at the Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Visitors Center. Grab a map in the center, as your hike has you turning onto a few different trails to get to the observation deck. Starting at the Redwood Grove Loop Trail, follow the trail until it connects with the Pipeline Road Trail ...Read more -
Laguna Beach, California
El Moro Canyon Trail
5.04.94 mi / 814 ft gainThe trail features a waterfall and is open year-round, but is best used in the spring. Remember to bring $15 cash for the parking fee. The Laguna Beach trail is shared by trail runners, mountain bikers, hikers, and the occasional horseback rider. Dogs are not allowed in Crystal Cove State Park.Read more -
Big Bear, California
Holcomb Valley Campground
This campground is awesome! With great views, plenty of space and clean bathrooms it'll have you in for a treat! Whether it be a multiple day trip or just one night this campground is awesome. Read below for information if you are looking for a trip in the mountains! Cost: This campground is a ...Read more -
Trinity Center, California
Backpack Stony Ridge in the Trinity Alps
16.5 mi / 4500 ft gainThe Trinity Alps has miles and miles of beautiful trails, but one of the more stunning sections is the Four Lakes Loop. There are two main trail heads that access the trail. Long Canyon Trail and Stony Ridge Trail both are both beautiful but Stony Ridge is the more popular route yet strenuous. To...Read more