Hikes in California
Hiking in California is an amazing experience. And not only because of Yosemite National Park––which is definitely a highlight! California is also home to numerous national and state parks, recreational areas and monuments that are filled with amazing hiking trails.
California is one of the most diverse states when it comes to nature. Here, you can find yourself hiking in the mountains one day and exploring the amazing pacific beaches the next. It is full of beautiful mountain peaks, lush green forests and beautiful beaches. Not to mention the Giant Sequoia Trees, volcanoes and an abundance of wildlife.
The state calls to the hearts of adventurers from around the world, promising incredible weather, natural beauty, rolling vineyards and on occasion, epic ski hills (that are perfect for hiking!). Interested? Then check out the best hikes in California!
15 Great Hikes in California
- Hidden Valley Loop: This is a classic Joshua Tree hike that takes in the stunning boulders native to the area.
- Warren Peak: One of the few elevated hikes in the area, considering most of Joshua Tree is flat, this makes for a fun, quick climb to the rocky summit of Warren Peak.
- Ryan Mountain: Set off on this popular hike to reach the summit for outstanding panoramic views over Joshua Tree National Park.
- Panorama Trail: This is not only one of the best hikes in California, but makes our shortlist for hikes across America. You simply can’t miss this one! Follow the Mist Trail to reach stunning Panorama Trail and eventually, panoramic Glacier Point!
- Yosemite Valley: Take in all the highlights of the iconic Yosemite National Park from this easy trail. While not overly challenging, hikers are rewarded with incredible mountain views from all angles.
- Clouds Rest Hike:: Those looking to get their heart pumping and legs burning will love this challenging hike. Crest the Cloud Mountain summit to observe all of Yosemite Valley from high above.
- Mount Dana: Tackle this unofficial path to get far away from the crowds, while still taking in unbelievable views! Most of this hike requires a steep ascent and will have your legs wobbling by the end.
- Mount Hoffman: While you’ll have to wait for the snow to melt each year to tackle this one, the legendary John Muir regarded this summit to be the most dramatic in the entire valley. We have to agree!
- Yosemite Falls: For an up close and personal view of the iconic Yosemite Falls, you’ll want to tackle this hike. Meander through the park, taking in the gorgeous mountain views, until you reach the magical falls.
- Tomales Point Trail, Marin County: This hike is unique, as it’s located within Tule Elk Preserve, nestled near the Pacific Ocean and as such, is often covered in fog. With beautiful seashore views from the top of Tomales Point, we wouldn’t recommend skipping this one.
- Kirby Cove: For unparalleled views of the surrounding Bay area, you won’t find any better than on Kirby Cove. Lookout over the amazing Golden Gate Bridge and snap a photo or two, then walk the rocky shore and indulge in a picnic lunch.
- The Mist Trail: On hot summer days, this hike is incredibly refreshing, as you pass two incredible waterfalls offering a breezy mist to cool hikers down and unbeatable views.
- Lembert Dome: One of the easier mountains to summit in the Yosemite area, Lembert Dome provides beautiful lookout points over Tuolumne Meadows and a delicious grill at the base for a post-hike snack.
- Lost Horse Loop Trail: Weave past a historic gold mine set against an incredible desert landscape on the Lost Horse Loop trail. With slightly challenging elevation gain, you’ll be rewarded with incredible views at the top.
- Split Rock Trail: This dreamy spot is incredible for photographers, with a dense collection of boulders, incredible local cacti and stunning cliffs––all which can be accessed on this quick hike.
When is the Best Time to Hike in California
California is an incredible state for year-round hiking, it’s one of the reasons we love it so much! Regardless of season, there is always a perfect trail to be found. Spring is perhaps our favourite for the stunning wildflowers that dot the trails that time of year, plus it also offers more moderate temperatures than scorching hot summer. May to June provides a nice cool breeze, less crowded hiking trails and incredible greenery as the world comes back to life after following the winter season.
Best Regions to Hike in California
There are so many fantastic regions for hiking in California, it’s hard for us to choose a favourite! Joshua Tree National Park has become Instagram famous in the past few years for its incredible desert landscapes, rusty-coloured mountains and wild cacti that are native to the land. It also has become known for its ever-popular boho scene from indy hotels to rustic airstream escapes. North Bay is one of the most-loved locations in the Bay area and it’s not hard to see why. You can immerse yourself in incredible coastal views, charming oceanside towns and some of the best hiking trails along the water's edge. And of course, Yosemite National Park, one of the most renowned National Parks in California, if not the world. With beautiful mountains, breathtaking waterfalls, pristine lakes and glistening glaciers, you can’t miss this iconic hiking region.
Other Activities in California
One of our favourite outdoor activities in California involves hitting the waves for a surf sesh. Offering some of the best beginner waves in the world, we like to visit the beach early in the morning to enjoy the sunrise. Another epic outdoor activity? Scrambling and boulder climbing! With unbelievable rock faces across the state, there is no shortage of adventurous spots to practice some freehand styling.
California's Adventure Tours
If you’re looking for a high-adrenaline tour, why not let 10Adventures help? With our wide-range of adventure tours in California, all you have to do is pack your bag—the rest is taken care of! From climbing a 3,048 m peak in Yosemite to backpacking across the peaks of Sierra Nevada––10Adventure tours have got it all.
How to Plan a Trip to California
Ready to explore the natural beauty of California? Read on to find our favourite spots for eating, sleeping, exploring and playing! We’ve rounded up complete guides to some of our favourite destinations in California, so all you have to do is pack a bag! From Yosemite, to North Bay, to Joshua Tree, we’ve got you covered.
Hiking regions in California
- Angeles National Forest (100)
- Death Valley (39)
- Inyo National Forest (73)
- Joshua Tree National Park (57)
- Lake Tahoe (70)
- Lassen (22)
- Los Angeles (70)
- Los Padres National Forest (57)
- North Bay (10)
- Palm Springs (24)
- Point Reyes National Seashore (35)
- Redwoods National and State Parks (44)
- San Bernardino National Forest (100)
- San Francisco (65)
- Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks (92)
- Shasta-Trinity National Forest (69)
- Sierra National Forest (50)
- Stanislaus National Forest (52)
- Yosemite National Park (139)
Best Hikes in California
God’s Bath Clavey River Trail
Hidden local gem turned popular tourist destination—the God’s Bath Clavey River Trail is an incredible adventure in the Stanislaus National Forest. Though there is no explicit trail to the swimming hole and waterfall, there is a local worn path leading to God’s Bath. This epic expedition is a must add to your hiking itinerary—but we beg you to please respect the area and wilderness.
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Abbotts Lagoon Trail
The Abbotts Lagoon Trail is a picturesque adventure through sand dunes, along the banks of the lagoons to a quiet beach on the Pacific. Impressively scenic and easy-going—hikers of all skill levels and ages can participate in this seaside stroll.
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McCloud Falls Trail
The McCloud Falls Trail offers a collection of three cascades in one quick nature walk. Indulge yourself in the postcard perfect scenes of the cascades plunging through the basalt lava rock canyon. This epic expedition beckons the exploration year-round, enjoy!
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Emerald Lake Trail
The Emerald Lake Trail is an incredibly beautiful adventure through California’s high country in the Sequoia & Kings National Parks. Meander through the granite oasis adorned with glacially formed lakes and marvel at the scenes of the craggy ridges of the Sierra Nevada. We love this trek, and so will you!
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James Irvin Trail
The James Irvin Trail boasts an unforgettable journey through a coastal primeval redwood forest. This enchanting adventure explores a quintessential redwood grove before opening to the Pacific Ocean and the famous Fern Canyon. This magical hike is well worth adding to your Redwoods National and State Parks itinerary.
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Santa Barbara Botanic Garden Trail
The Santa Barbara Botanic Garden Trail boasts a magical experience that hikers of all skills, abilities, and ages can enjoy. Immerse yourself in the botanical garden abundant with a diversity of the area’s native flora, historic landmarks, epic overlooks, and the Mission Dam and Aqueduct.
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Muir Beach and Tennessee Beach Loop
The Muir Beach and Tennessee Beach Loop beckons the exploration of adventurers seeking a coastal day hike near San Francisco. Meander atop the fog-shrouded headlands and revel in the beauty of the coastal environment. This wonderful hike is a must-add to your Bay Area itinerary.
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Tomales Point Trail, Marin County
The Tomales Point hike is located in the Point Reyes National Seashore, sandwiched between Tomales Bay and the Pacific Ocean. This hike is a unique experience with it being a Tule Elk Preserve and often quite foggy. When not foggy, the views are great, with the views from Tomales Point itself spectacular!
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- Technical Difficulty
- Physical Difficulty
Sentinel Dome to Glacier Point
The hike from Sentinel Dome to Glacier Point in Yosemite National Park is a wonderful day out with a summit of Sentinel Dome and a walk to one of the park’s best viewpoints.
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- Technical Difficulty
- Physical Difficulty
Little Hebe Trail
The Little Hebe Trail is a family-friendly route that takes you alongside two volcanic craters in Death Valley National Park. The trail travels adjacent to the large Ubehebe crater - providing magnificent views as it goes - before delivering you to the smaller, but more charming Little Hebe Crater.
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Arch Rock Nature Trail
The Arch Rock Nature Trail is an easily accessible and relatively short lollipop hike that takes you through beautiful desert terrain before ending at the trails namesake: Arch Rock. Wildflowers and other desert vegetation can be admired as you make your way through terrain representative of Joshua Tree National Park.
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Kennedy Meadow to the Bridge via PCT Trail
Kennedy Meadow to the Bridge via PCT Trail is a beautiful route within Inyo National Forest that traverses the scenic terrain of the eastern Sierra Nevada Mountain range. This moderately difficult route takes you alongside a charming river and through lovely meadows, and is considered to be an excellent place for viewing wildlife.
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Manzanita Lake Loop
The Manzanita Lake Loop is a short route within Lassen Volcanic National Park that is appropriate for the entire family. Easily accessible and with great views of the surrounding alpine landscape, the Manzanita Lake Loop should be on your “must do hikes” list when visiting Lassen Volcanic National Park.
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Bonita Falls Trail
The Bonita Falls Trail is a short hiking route in the San Bernardino National Forest of California that will take you out to a viewpoint overlooking a waterfall. While out on the trail, you will hike the rocky terrain along the banks of Lytle Creek, before entering into the tree cover to view the cascading waters of Bonita Falls. Don’t forget to stop off at the ranger station to purchase a daily parking pass for $5.
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Echo Lakes Trail
Hiking the Echo Lakes Trail is an immersive experience. Explore California’s high country and marvel in the sweeping alpine vistas along the way. Family-friendly and incredibly scenic, this lakeside route is at the top of many adventurers’ bucket lists, and we encourage you to add it to yours too.
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Shaver Lake Trail
Hiking the Shaver Lake Trail makes for an incredible day-hike in the Sierra National Forest. Boasting awe-inspiring scenery, countless outdoor adventure pursuits, and the possibility of seeing wildlife—this trek packs a punch. So the next time you find yourself in Fresno County, a trip to Shaver Lake is well worth the detour.
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Lake Alpine Trail
Hidden high in the Sierra Nevada is the Lake Alpine Trail. This fun family adventure boasts beautiful scenes of the shimmering alpine lake, bounding verdant forestland, and imposing granite peaks. Incredibly scenic and versatile—this walk is a must-add to your Stanislaus National Forest itinerary.
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Tomales Point Trail
Hiking the Tomales Point Trail is an incredible experience. Wander along dramatic cliff sides, meadowlands abundant with wildflowers, the Tule Elk Reserve, past historic sites, and along sandy terrain to the Tomales Point Peninsula. This trek packs a punch, and we can’t recommend it enough!
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Heart Lake Trail
The Heart Lake Trail is a picturesque adventure in the Shasta National Forest that intermediate hikers and families with older children can enjoy, year-round. Explore a glacial cirque, climbing up to the charming lake that offers commanding vistas of Mount Shasta and the Klamath Mountains.
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Miracle Hot Springs Trail
The Miracle Hot Springs Trail is a unique adventure in the Sequoia National Park that offers a natural spa treatment. Wander the short trail to the hot baths that sit along the Kern River. Indulge yourself in a soak in the natural hot springs—and if you get too hot, cool off in the refreshing river below.