Santa Monica, California
The best Trails and Outdoor Activities in Santa Monica, California offer a variety of top outdoor adventures. The Temescal Canyon Loop is a must-visit with its 2.6-mile trail that offers stunning ocean views and a scenic waterfall. For a more challenging hike, the Los Liones Trail is a 7.3-mile trail that takes you through lush greenery and offers panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean. The Santa Monica Beach bike path is a 22-mile long flat trail perfect for cycling, running, and walking. If you're into bird watching, the Ballona Wetlands is a great spot. For rock climbing, head to Point Dume in nearby Malibu. Remember to respect the outdoors and leave no trace behind. Enjoy your outdoor adventures in Santa Monica!
Top Spots in and near Santa Monica
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Los Angeles County, California
Mt. Williamson via Islip Saddle
4.16 mi / 1519 ft gainThe trailhead is immediately off of Angeles Crest Highway CA-2 at Islip Saddle. It's just a touch over 2 miles to reach the summit, through which you'll be hiking among the pine tree forest practically the entire way up (part of this trail doubles as the Pacific Crest Trail). The summit is larg...Read more -
Castaic, California
Hiking the Piru Creek Gorge Trail
Take the I-5 exit North of Castaic, CA at Templin Hwy. Turn onto Golden State Hwy heading the only direction it goes from the exit, North. When it dead-ends in a few miles at the National Forest Gate, you are at Frenchman's Flat.You can camp here, or hang with the day hikers. Heading North along ...Read more -
La Verne, California
Cattle Canyon Trail
6.7 mi / 1066 ft gainWithin the San Gabriel Mountains from Highway 39 and along East Fork Road is Cattle Canyon. To go through Cattle Canyon, you can access the trail head just south of the Bridge to Nowhere trail head along East Fork Road right after it intersects with Glendora Mountain Road. There is a small parkin...Read more -
Los Angeles County, California
Bikepack Catalina Island
5.043.5 mi / 5700 ft gainThis is a great introductory overnight bikepacking adventure. With restaurants, water, and stores at each end of the ride, your packing list is minimal. Head out on Saturday morning and make it back in time for dinner on Sunday evening. Packing List Your Bike – I did this ride on my drop bar grav...Read more -
Anaheim, California
Oak Canyon Bluebird and Wren Trail
1.42 mi / 187 ft gainThe Oak Canyon Bluebird and Wren Trail features beautiful wildflowers and is accessible year-round. The trail is well kept and offers lots of shady spots. The first portion of this hike will take you up a hill, and then to a fork. One direction will take you around a reservoir and another will ta...Read more -
Azusa, California
Little Jimmy Trail Camp
4.33.36 mi / 607 ft gainTake Hwy 2 out of La Canada north along Angeles Crest Highway. Follow this for quite some time enjoying the fine views in all directions. After traveling through two consecutive tunnels continue to the Islip Saddle parking lot (on left). There will be a vault toilet & a picnic table. Display ...Read more -
Palmdale, California
California Aqueduct Trail
7.67 mi / 213 ft gainCalifornia Aqueduct Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you past scenic surroundings located near Palmdale, California.Read more -
La Verne, California
Bridge to Nowhere via East Fork Trail
4.49.65 mi / 1798 ft gainThe trail on this 10-mile hike is predominately slow and steady, but can be a little rocky, so be prepared to scramble. When you’re fording the river, the water level can range from knee to chest high, especially in the wet months. A good pair of waterproof hiking boots is helpful, but water shoe...Read more -
Newport Beach, California
Newport Beach Back Bay Trail
4.010.62 mi / 499 ft gainThe Newport Beach Back Bay Trail features beautiful wildflowers and is open for use year round. Very minimal elevation gain makes this hike food for all skill levels, but be mindful of the distance. Dogs are allowed on the trail but must be kept on leash. Cooling sea breezes make this one of th...Read more -
Santa Paula, California
Santa Paula Punch Bowls
3.66.5 mi / 1037 ft gainThis is a 6.5 mile trail, out and back. Parking is available along Ojai St, and the trail starts at the entrance of Thomas Aquinas College. Follow the paved road that goes around the school, until you reach a fork on the road, then stay right. The trail will take you through Ferndale Ranch, just ...Read more -
Newport Beach, California
Stand Up Paddle around Balboa Island, Newport Beach
5.0Balboa Island, located in Newport Bay, is a fun destination on its own, but add a relaxing SUP to the mix and you’ve got yourself an adventure. There are two ways to get onto island: cross the Marine Avenue Bridge, or take the Balboa Island Ferry (directly inland from Balboa Pier and south of New...Read more -
Pearblossom, California
Devil's Punchbowl and Devil's Chair
4.57.37 mi / 1870 ft gainWhat a hidden gem! A martian landscape full of faultline desert rock formations and joshua trees against a mountainous backdrop of the San Gabriels. Devil's Punchbowl Natural Area features a 1 mile well-marked, well-maintained single track loop trail inside the Punchbowl (great for kids) and a 7 ...Read more -
Newport Beach, California
Bodysurfing and Photography at The Wedge
4.8Beginning at the east end of the Balboa Peninsula The Wedge's main power house is the Newport Harbor Jetty. When the right south swell hits the jetty it reflects back creating a massive back wash. When the back wash hits an incoming set you have the notoriously heavy wedge-like shore break thunde...Read more -
Claremont, California
Claremont Wilderness Loop
4.85.03 mi / 1020 ft gainDrive to the top of Mills Ave in Claremont. There is a main parking area to the left and overflow parking a block south on the right. It costs $3 to park for 4hrs. As the name implies, the Wilderness Loop is a loop that connects to other trails in the Claremont Hills Wilderness. You can choose t...Read more -
Newport Beach, California
Boulder at Pirate's Cove
4.0This is a great spot for bouldering in Newport Beach, CA with really easy access from the parking lot at Big Corona Beach or street parking above on Ocean Blvd. There are not clear signs to follow, but it is easy to find from the parking lot at Big Corona - it is on the far west side toward the h...Read more -
Ventura, California
Hike Arroyo Verde Park
3.5 mi / 800 ft gainArroyo Verde Park is a small parked tucked in the hills above Ventura, California, and has a network of trails running up and down the hills surrounding the valley in the center of the park. The entrance to the park is at the intersection of Foothill Road Day Road, east of downtown Ventura. There...Read more
