Living in Southern California gives us the opportunity to embrace the outdoors all year round. One of the most enjoyable ways to get outside and breathe in some fresh air is heading out on a hiking trail. There are many trails to enjoy that may already be on your bucket list, but here are a few more that you may not have had a chance to tackle yet. Some are easy and some are heart-pounding hard, but one thing that remains in common for all of these scenic trails in Southern California is that they all have an amazing final destination.
If you haven’t visited the best hiking trails in Southern California, then we have quite the treat for you. Are you ready to adventure across the state’s southern region? Let’s do this!
- Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook – 6300 Heztler Road in Culver City
flickr/daniel pouliot
flickr/i be GINZ If you only have time for a quick hike but you still want an epic payoff at the end of the trail, you’ll want to take the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook trail in Los Angeles. It’s only 1 mile long, but after climbing the steep set of stairs you’ll feel like you just ran a marathon. And then there’s the view. Just look at the city from the top. On a clear day, you can see all the way to the ocean from one of most incredible Southern California hikes.
- Bluff Cove – Palos Verdes Peninsula
flickr/ken shoufer You don’t have to cover a ton of miles to experience a hike with incredible oceanfront views. Coming in at just under two miles, the Bluff Cove Trail at the Palos Verdes Peninsula will take you along a picturesque path that ends with a magnificent view of the ocean that’s so beautiful it’s almost unreal. It remains one of the best hiking trails in the region.
- Los Leones Canyon Trail at Topanga State Park – 566 Los Liones Drive in Pacific Palisades
yelp/joshua s.
yelp/jacqueline p. Perhaps one of the best hidden gems in the state, the Los Leones Canyon Trail is an intense experience with a huge payoff. Not only is the view at the top of Los Leones Canyon a jaw-dropping setting, but it also has a bench at the top of the trail to rest your weary feet. And trust me, after this 8-mile strenuous hike you’re going to be thrilled to sit down on this bench and look out at the SoCal landscape.
- Castle Canyon Trail to Inspiration Point – Altadena
yelp/kathy v.
yelp/joanne Y. The scenic Castle Canyon Trail to Inspiration Point hike starts off at the historic Cobb Estate in Altadena. It’s located at Lake and E. Loma Alta Drive. Clocking in at 10 miles round trip, it’s quite the journey. But once you reach the top you will be inspired by the endless view. One of the most scenic trails in Southern California? We’re going to go with a resounding YES.
- The Mishe Mokwa Trail to Sandstone Peak – Santa Monica Mountains
yelp/lei B.
yelp/matt b. If you’re in need of a challenging hike that will leave you feeling accomplished, then check out the Mishe Mokwa Trail to Sandstone Peak located in the Santa Monica Mountains. Considered one of the top trails in SoCal, this 6-mile hike will take you up an elevation of close to 1,700 feet and will get your blood pumping and heart thumping in no time. The views along the trail and at the end of the trail will remind you exactly why you love the outdoors.
- Crystal Cove State Park – Orange County
flickr/mitch barrie One of the many benefits of living in Southern California is having access to a variety of beach trails. The beachside trail at Crystal Cove State Park will take you along a 3-mile stretch of sand and stunning ocean views that’s hard to beat outside of SoCal. The hike isn’t difficult, and rather provides a gorgeous expanse of views along a well-trafficked trail.
- Oso Creek Trail – 24932 Veterans Way in Mission Viejo, CA
yelp/ingrid V.
yelp/chanie s. One of the most unexpectedly beautiful hikes in SoCal is hiding in Mission Viejo at Oso Creek Trail. You’ll be treated to a well-maintained trail with plenty of signage that will lead you to a breathtaking labyrinth and garden. It’s one of the most hidden of the region’s scenic trails.
- The Bayside Trail at Cabrillo National Monument – 1800 Cabrillo Memorial Drive in San Diego
yelp/kelly J. This two-mile trail in San Diego is the perfect way to get outside and enjoy the fresh air while treating yourself to a picture-perfect SoCal view. You’ll find this trail located inside the Cabrillo National Monument so expect some moderate traffic along the trail from visitors and tourists in the area.
- Volcan Mountain Wilderness Preserve – 1209 Farmer Road, Julian, CA 92036
tripadvisor/coastalcruiser27
yelp/sushant z. Located inside this 3,000-acre preserve in the town of Julian in San Diego County you will find splendid hiking trails. One of the most picturesque trails is the Five Oaks Trail, which has also been listed as one of the most scenic trails in Southern California.
tripadvisor/coastalcruiser27 You will encounter stunning wildlife, farm country views, and an open meadow filled with nothing but blue sky overhead. The view at the end of the trail will make you appreciate this mountain town in Southern California.
- Bridge to Nowhere – Located in Azusa, CA at Sheep Mountain and East Fork Rd
wikimedia commons You’ll encounter an unexpected bridge along this hike in SoCal that’s known to many as The Bridge to Nowhere. This 10-mile hike will take you through rocky terrain and streams as you work your way toward this historic bridge that appears to be hiding in SoCal.
Have you had the chance to check out any of these scenic hiking trails in Southern California? Let us know in the comments which ones are your favorite. If there are other trails that you’d like to see on the next list, please share so we can go out and try some new hiking routes. We always love an excuse to head out on a new trail!
flickr/daniel pouliot
flickr/i be GINZ
If you only have time for a quick hike but you still want an epic payoff at the end of the trail, you’ll want to take the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook trail in Los Angeles. It’s only 1 mile long, but after climbing the steep set of stairs you’ll feel like you just ran a marathon. And then there’s the view. Just look at the city from the top. On a clear day, you can see all the way to the ocean from one of most incredible Southern California hikes.
flickr/ken shoufer
You don’t have to cover a ton of miles to experience a hike with incredible oceanfront views. Coming in at just under two miles, the Bluff Cove Trail at the Palos Verdes Peninsula will take you along a picturesque path that ends with a magnificent view of the ocean that’s so beautiful it’s almost unreal. It remains one of the best hiking trails in the region.
yelp/joshua s.
yelp/jacqueline p.
Perhaps one of the best hidden gems in the state, the Los Leones Canyon Trail is an intense experience with a huge payoff. Not only is the view at the top of Los Leones Canyon a jaw-dropping setting, but it also has a bench at the top of the trail to rest your weary feet. And trust me, after this 8-mile strenuous hike you’re going to be thrilled to sit down on this bench and look out at the SoCal landscape.
yelp/kathy v.
yelp/joanne Y.
The scenic Castle Canyon Trail to Inspiration Point hike starts off at the historic Cobb Estate in Altadena. It’s located at Lake and E. Loma Alta Drive. Clocking in at 10 miles round trip, it’s quite the journey. But once you reach the top you will be inspired by the endless view. One of the most scenic trails in Southern California? We’re going to go with a resounding YES.
yelp/lei B.
yelp/matt b.
If you’re in need of a challenging hike that will leave you feeling accomplished, then check out the Mishe Mokwa Trail to Sandstone Peak located in the Santa Monica Mountains. Considered one of the top trails in SoCal, this 6-mile hike will take you up an elevation of close to 1,700 feet and will get your blood pumping and heart thumping in no time. The views along the trail and at the end of the trail will remind you exactly why you love the outdoors.
flickr/mitch barrie
One of the many benefits of living in Southern California is having access to a variety of beach trails. The beachside trail at Crystal Cove State Park will take you along a 3-mile stretch of sand and stunning ocean views that’s hard to beat outside of SoCal. The hike isn’t difficult, and rather provides a gorgeous expanse of views along a well-trafficked trail.
yelp/ingrid V.
yelp/chanie s.
One of the most unexpectedly beautiful hikes in SoCal is hiding in Mission Viejo at Oso Creek Trail. You’ll be treated to a well-maintained trail with plenty of signage that will lead you to a breathtaking labyrinth and garden. It’s one of the most hidden of the region’s scenic trails.
yelp/kelly J.
This two-mile trail in San Diego is the perfect way to get outside and enjoy the fresh air while treating yourself to a picture-perfect SoCal view. You’ll find this trail located inside the Cabrillo National Monument so expect some moderate traffic along the trail from visitors and tourists in the area.
tripadvisor/coastalcruiser27
yelp/sushant z.
Located inside this 3,000-acre preserve in the town of Julian in San Diego County you will find splendid hiking trails. One of the most picturesque trails is the Five Oaks Trail, which has also been listed as one of the most scenic trails in Southern California.
You will encounter stunning wildlife, farm country views, and an open meadow filled with nothing but blue sky overhead. The view at the end of the trail will make you appreciate this mountain town in Southern California.
wikimedia commons
You’ll encounter an unexpected bridge along this hike in SoCal that’s known to many as The Bridge to Nowhere. This 10-mile hike will take you through rocky terrain and streams as you work your way toward this historic bridge that appears to be hiding in SoCal.
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Address: 6300 Hetzler Rd, Culver City, CA 90232, USAAddress: Palos Verdes Peninsula, CA 90274, USAAddress: Los Liones Canyon Trail, Los Angeles, CA 90272, USAAddress: Altadena, CA, USAAddress: Mishe Mokwa Trail, Westlake Village, CA, USAAddress: Crystal Cove State Park, 8471 N Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach, CA 92651, USAAddress: 24932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo, CA 92692, USAAddress: 1800 Cabrillo Memorial Dr, San Diego, CA 92106, USAAddress: 1209 Farmer Rd, Julian, CA 92036, USAAddress: Bridge to Nowhere, Redwood City, CA 94063, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Scenic Trails In Southern California November 20, 2020 Meghan Kraft Where should I go to take photos of Southern California? If you’re a photographer and you haven’t been out to the Channel Islands yet, you’re in for a fantastic surprise! You have to catch a ferry, but the offshore National Park allows you to step into one of the most secluded natural spaces in the state. Don’t sleep on this beautiful place, even though a bit of effort is required. We’d recommending bringing your camera and getting out on the water in a kayak once you’ve visited. Where can I hike to a cave in Southern California? Cave hiking makes you feel like you’ve left normalcy and entered another world, and Southern California has its own offering of hidden caves and caverns to explore. Be careful, of course, when you visit. Arroyo Tapiado Carrizo Badlands Mud Caves is located in the state park by the same name, and it’s the largest known cave system in the entire country. There are 22 caves and slot canyons for you to explore, thoughtfully, and carefully. Can I hike to abandoned places in Southern California? Have you ever hiked the Solstice Canyon Trail? The easy 2-mile hike takes folks through the Malibu hills and takes folks to a small waterfall and along to a small handful of ruins. You’ll come across the old Keller House, built in the early 1900s and now left to ruin, and the Roberts Family House of the same fate. Once a grand mansion, the latter offers heaps of abandoned exploration.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Scenic Trails In Southern California
November 20, 2020
Meghan Kraft
Where should I go to take photos of Southern California? If you’re a photographer and you haven’t been out to the Channel Islands yet, you’re in for a fantastic surprise! You have to catch a ferry, but the offshore National Park allows you to step into one of the most secluded natural spaces in the state. Don’t sleep on this beautiful place, even though a bit of effort is required. We’d recommending bringing your camera and getting out on the water in a kayak once you’ve visited. Where can I hike to a cave in Southern California? Cave hiking makes you feel like you’ve left normalcy and entered another world, and Southern California has its own offering of hidden caves and caverns to explore. Be careful, of course, when you visit. Arroyo Tapiado Carrizo Badlands Mud Caves is located in the state park by the same name, and it’s the largest known cave system in the entire country. There are 22 caves and slot canyons for you to explore, thoughtfully, and carefully. Can I hike to abandoned places in Southern California? Have you ever hiked the Solstice Canyon Trail? The easy 2-mile hike takes folks through the Malibu hills and takes folks to a small waterfall and along to a small handful of ruins. You’ll come across the old Keller House, built in the early 1900s and now left to ruin, and the Roberts Family House of the same fate. Once a grand mansion, the latter offers heaps of abandoned exploration.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
If you’re a photographer and you haven’t been out to the Channel Islands yet, you’re in for a fantastic surprise! You have to catch a ferry, but the offshore National Park allows you to step into one of the most secluded natural spaces in the state. Don’t sleep on this beautiful place, even though a bit of effort is required. We’d recommending bringing your camera and getting out on the water in a kayak once you’ve visited.
Where can I hike to a cave in Southern California?
Cave hiking makes you feel like you’ve left normalcy and entered another world, and Southern California has its own offering of hidden caves and caverns to explore. Be careful, of course, when you visit. Arroyo Tapiado Carrizo Badlands Mud Caves is located in the state park by the same name, and it’s the largest known cave system in the entire country. There are 22 caves and slot canyons for you to explore, thoughtfully, and carefully.
Can I hike to abandoned places in Southern California?
Have you ever hiked the Solstice Canyon Trail? The easy 2-mile hike takes folks through the Malibu hills and takes folks to a small waterfall and along to a small handful of ruins. You’ll come across the old Keller House, built in the early 1900s and now left to ruin, and the Roberts Family House of the same fate. Once a grand mansion, the latter offers heaps of abandoned exploration.
