California
California offers a diverse range of outdoor activities. The state boasts pristine coastlines, granite mountains, and expansive redwood forests. Travelers can explore the Alamere Falls, which empties directly into the Pacific Ocean, or visit McWay Falls in Big Sur, a prominent waterfall visible from Highway 1. For those interested in hiking, the Sunrise Lakes to Clouds Rest trail is a notable choice, while the Lands End Trail in San Francisco provides a scenic coastal walk. Whether you're looking to hike, camp, or simply enjoy the outdoors, California has something for everyone.
Top Spots in and near California
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Point Reyes Station, California
Sky Trail Loop
5.09.55 mi / 1818 ft gainSky Trail in Point Reyes National Seashore is a dramatic, mostly single-track trail that runs along the main spine of the Inverness Ridge and across highest mountains in Point Reyes, looming above the Olema Valley and Highway 1 which mark the San Andreas Fault rift zone and the dividing line betw...Read more -
Winters, California
Hike the Homestead-Blue Ridge Loop
5.0From the official trailhead, start off by taking the Homestead Trail, which forks towards the right. A trail connecting Homestead and Blue Ridge will take you to a creek nearby. Veer off the trail along the creek and there is a water hole for cooling off on hot days. Onward into the trail, you wi...Read more -
Fort Jones, California
Sky High Lakes in the Marble Mountains
5.011.88 mi / 2070 ft gainThe Marble Mountains are part of the Klamaths, a biologically and geologically diverse range of peaks and ridges often overshadowed by its western neighbors in the Cascades. The Marble Rim is the signature feature of this subrange, a white wall of rock that glimmers in the sun. The nearby Sky Hig...Read more -
Twentynine Palms, California
Canyoneer Joshua Tree's Rattlesnake Slot Canyon
The trailhead is located at the end of Indian Cove road. From Indian Cove Campground, take the road to the east about a mile to a picnic area where there is parking at the mouth of the canyon.From the picnic area hike up the Canyon in a south to south-east direction. After a few hundred yards a d...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 -
San Bernardino County, California
Explore the Mojave Desert Lava Tube
4.70.1 mi / 20 ft gainWhen visiting the Lava Tubes, you must have a full tank of gas, radiator coolant, and a couple gallons of water before you enter the Mojave Desert Preserve! The preserve doesn't offer any services other than the occasional place to fill up on water.From The North: From Baker, CA on Interstate 15,...Read more -
San Francisco, California
Bouldering at Glen Canyon Park
5.0Want to get out of the climbing gym, and do some bouldering in the city? Head to Glen Canyon park! After you park the car, take a short hike on a shade-covered path to the boulders. This climbing spot has history dating back to the 1930s when people first started scaling these boulders. This is a...Read more -
Malibu, California
Leo Carillo State Beach
4.5Leo Carrillo State Park has 1.5 miles of two sandy beach areas, tide pools, and numerous coves and sea caves. This year-round paradise offers privacy and ocean access for anglers, divers, surfers, wildlife watchers, beachcombers, and campers. If you're headed here for day-use, there are also tide...Read more -
Lee Vining, California
Mono Lake's South Tufa Loop
4.40.91 mi / 39 ft gainMono Lake is was formed at least 760,000 years ago, making it one of North America's oldest lake. Explore the coastline of this unique lake filled with unusual rock formations called tufas. Photograph the tufa towers with the majestic mountains in the background. The towers can make for some very...Read more -
Big Sur, California
Sand Dollar Beach
4.80.35 mi / 82 ft gainHead into Big Sur and get a campsite at Plaskett Creek. You can either make a reservation through recreation.gov or show up and hope to luck out on one of the first-come, first-serve campsites. The campground is much more crowded during the prime summer months, so if you want to get better surf ...Read more -
Boulder Creek, California
Camp at Big Basin Redwoods State Park
4.00.5 miBig Basin is currently closed including the campgrounds. Please visit the Parks.ca.gov site for updated details. An hour away from the thrumming city of San Jose, ancient immense trees live in a forest full of vibrant ferns and rushing waterfalls. Big Basin Redwoods State Park encompasses 10,00...Read more -
South Lake Tahoe, California
Middle Velma Lake via Eagle Falls Trailhead
4.59.18 mi / 2251 ft gainHiking or backpacking to the Velma Lakes area is a must do if you want to explore and escape the summer crowds of South Tahoe. There are 3 lakes, Upper, Middle, and Lower Velma Lake. The trek out to Middle Velma is 9+ miles roundtrip, but you can add to it depending on how many other lakes you wa...Read more -
Furnace Creek, California
Zabriskie Point
4.70.29 mi / 7 ft gainZabriskie Point is a unique viewpoint in Death Valley National Park located just east of Furnace Creek on Hwy 190. The viewpoint is just a short stroll from the parking lot, so it’s great for groups and families. When you reach the viewpoint, you’ll be overlooking the epic maze of finely ridged b...Read more -
Portola Valley, California
Windy Hill: Spring Ridge, Anniversary Loop
5.06.18 mi / 1421 ft gainThere are a few options to hiking Windy Hill Open Space Preserve. Usually I would recommend parking in the lot on Portola Road, but because the preserve doesn't open until 30 minutes before sunrise, it's best to park up on Skyline Boulevard (Highway 35). There are two places to park up on Skyline...Read more -
Fort Bragg, California
Glass Beach
4.0Glass Beach is located at MacKerricher State Park in Fort Bragg, CA along the Pacific Coast Highway in Northern California. Take Elm street toward the beach and the parking lot entrance for glass beach will be located on the left at the bend. From here, its a short walk on some pathways. This be...Read more -
Moss Landing, California
Kayak in Elkhorn Slough
4.7Elkhorn Slough is located in Moss Landing, which is in the dead center of Monterey Bay, California. Elkhorn Slough is one of California's largest wetlands and part of a National Estuarine Reserve located in central Monterey Bay, California, just a short trip from the Monterey Peninsula and the Sa...Read more
