Hikes in California

An excellent location for taking pictures, the Artist’s Palette Overlook boasts incredible views of the surrounding Death Valley National Park area. The hills - dyed hues of green and blue from mineral deposits found within them - are stunning and make the Artist’s Palette Overlook one of the best vistas in the park.

The Little Lakes Valley to Gem Lakes Trail is an incredible route that brings you to a number of picturesque lakes within Inyo National Forest. Fairly long, and with a sizable amount of elevation gain, the Little Lakes Valley to Gem Lakes Trail is rated as moderately difficult and is therefore appropriate for intermediate hikers and families with older children.

Taking you through charming meadows and picturesque creeks before delivering you to two beautiful waterfalls, the Kings Creek Falls Trail is a lovely route within Lassen Volcanic National Park. Fairly short in distance and with a reasonable elevation incline, the route is perfect for casual hikers and families with young children.

The Will Abell Memorial Trail is a fun, albeit confusing, outdoor experience in the San Bernardino National Forest that will take you to a lookout over Lake Arrowhead. While out hiking the trail, you will meander uphill along forest paths and take in the beautiful views overlooking the lake, before continuing down the forested hillside on the return. Paths along this route are not well marked and will be tricky to navigate without a GPS.

The Incline Flume Trail is a wonderful hike along an old tramway and flume route that boats breathtaking panoramas of Lake Tahoe and the bounding craggy peaks of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Get your steps in as you wander through woodlands, reveling in the grandeur of the encompassing landscape.

Leading you along the shoreline of a crystalline alpine lake, the Kangaroo Lake Trail boasts a picturesque adventure. Hikers of all skill levels and ages can enjoy this scenic nature walk in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest. We love this quick walk and we think you will too.

The Tokopah Falls Hike is unrivaled in its natural beauty. Wander along the rocky banks of the Marble Fork of the Kaweah River amongst towering granite bluffs, including the Watchtower monolith, to the 366 m waterfall that surges through the canyon.

The Mahan Plaque Trail is a wonderful adventure through a lush redwood grove. Though common to the area, this route offers beautiful scenes of the primeval conifers and the verdant undergrowth that bound them. Family-friendly and easy-going, this trail makes for a great promenade.

The Punch Bowls Hike is one of the most popular trails in Ventura County—and rightfully so. Explore the shaded valley of the Santa Paula Creek and cool off in one of the many, idyllic swimming holes along the way. This wonderfully scenic hike is a must add to your adventure to-do list.

The Mori Point Hike is a family-friendly adventure in Pacifica that boasts an unforgettable experience. Explore the bustling Pacifica State Beach before escaping the crowds into the fragile coastal prairies that overlook the surf. We love this scenic hike, and you will too.

Passing by a historic Gold Mine then gaining a scenic ridge, the Lost Horse Loop Trail is truly a treat. Moderate elevation gain and stunning views make this hike a fantastic way to spend most of a day.

Short and with hardly any elevation incline, the Harmony Borax Works is appropriate for all skill levels and families with young children. Taking you through an abandoned borax mining complex, the route has an abundance of informative plaques to help educate you on what you are seeing. Take your time and enjoy all that the Harmony Borax Works has to offer!

Considered to be a more challenging route, the Mount Whitney Portal to Lone Pine Lake Trail is ideal for more experienced hikers. Traversing beautiful terrain with gorgeous views, many do the Mount Whitney Portal to Lone Pine Lake Trail as a warm up route before attempting to summit Mount Whitney itself.

The Mill Creek Falls Trail is a beautiful route within Lassen Volcanic National Park. Taking you through the stunning mountainous environment of the Cascade Range, the Mill Creek Falls Trail delivers you to a picturesque waterfall. A great location to view wildlife, the Mill Creek Falls Trail is an excellent choice for your next hiking adventure.

The Pine Knot Trail to Grand View Point Hike is an exceptional adventure in the San Bernardino National Forest that will take you through forests and meadows for breathtaking views. While out hiking the trail, you will climb uphill through the woodland landscape to reach Grand View Point, where you will have an incredible sightline towards San Gorgonio Mountain and Catalina Island. Hikers should take note that this route is also popular with mountain bike enthusiasts and horseback riders, so make sure to keep an eye out and remember to share the path.

The Lam Watah Nature Trail to Nevada Beach Hike is an easy-going adventure through diverse landscapes, offering various perspectives of the alpine wilderness. Wander through lush meadowlands, dense forestlands, over creeks, and long the shoreline of the famous Lake Tahoe.

Immerse yourself in the backcountry along the Seven Lakes Basin Hike. Traveling at high elevations through the Shasta-Trinity National Forest, this trek affords breathtaking views of the Klamath Mountains and Mount Shasta from the glacial basin.

The Crystal Cave is one of some 200 caverns in the Sequoia National Park, though this one is our favorite. Only accessible by guided tour, the Crystal Cave Trail explores the marble karst cavern adorned with icicle-like stalactites and stalagmites. This adventure boasts an other-worldly experience.

Indulge yourself in with a quintessential northern California hike along Hiouchi Trail. This scenic nature trail wanders along the banks of the Smith River through a lush green forest. Revealing the enormity of the redwoods, this trek is a must add to your Redwoods National and State Parks itinerary.

The Rose Valley Falls Hike boasts an enchanting experience in the Los Padres National Forest. Wander through the forestland abundant with big cone Douglas Firs and chaparral scrubs up to the seasonal cascade that pours over the moss-cloaked boulders.