My Favorite Places to Hike in California (As a Local)

by Mary Howard
- June 15, 2024

From sun-drenched desert to snowy mountains, majestic redwood forests to the rugged Pacific coast, California’s landscapes offer hikes for everyone.

I’m a California local, and I’ve been hiking here my whole life. I’d have to say that California is one of the best places for hiking in the U.S. (I’m totally not biased). There are so many trail options in the Golden State, so I’ve created this epic list of the best hiking trails in California to help get you started.

Visiting the big cities is great, but exploring the Sierra Nevada and lower Cascade Mountains are the real highlights for nature lovers. Trekking in these diverse landscapes is one of my favorite activities in the Golden State.

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23 Best Hikes in California

Mt. Baldy

Climb Los Angeles’s tallest mountain.

Mt. Baldy is the highest mountain in Los Angeles County, sitting at an impressive 10,064 feet. There are four popular trails to the top, but most people hike the Ski Hut/Baldy Bowl Trail. Mt. Baldy is one of the our favorite hikes in Los Angeles.

The Baldy Bowl Trail starts on a fire road but steeply cuts left into the side of the mountain. This trail is shaded by pine trees two-thirds of the time, making it the best option for a summit hike.

Other trails, like the Baldy Backbone Trail, are exposed to the sun the whole way. You can also take the 3-mile, 3,000-foot gain Register Ridge Trail, but be prepared for a very hard hike.

The last trail to the summit of Mt. Baldy is the Bear Canyon Trail. This trail starts from Mt. Baldy Village and gains 6,000 feet in 6 miles. It’s long and grueling, but you’re almost guaranteed to see bighorn sheep.

⛰️ Up for a Winter Hike? Mt. Baldy is also a popular mountaineering route in the winter with a thousand-foot alpine climb up the bowl. You MUST have mountaineering experience to attempt this route in the winter.

Pacific Crest Trail

The longest thru-hike in California takes hikers from the barren desert, to the top of snowy mountain passes, and through temperate rainforest climates.

🥾 Moderate-Expert | Mileage varies | 📍 Google Maps (starting point varies) | Park Website | Cost: Permits required at several sections

The Pacific Crest Trail, or PCT for short, is the longest hike in California and one of the longest in the country. The PCT stretches from the Mexico/California border to the Washington/ Canada border. This 2,650-mile thru-hike was made popular by the movie Wild.

Completing the trail in its entirety takes an average of 4-6 months and a lot of conditioning. This long trek may not be for everyone. However, section-hiking the Pacific Crest Trail is an ideal option for hikers with limited time.

Some hikers opt to hike only the California section of the Pacific Crest Trail while others tackle smaller sections, one weekend at a time. I section-hiked about 40 miles of the PCT from Big Bear to the high desert over the course of 3 days.

Don’t be deterred by the long mileage of the trail! Each adventure on the PCT is unique. Visit the Pacific Crest Trail Association for more information on the PCT route.

Lost Coast Trail

Camp on the beach while hiking this 25.5-mile trail along the Pacific Ocean.

two people walking on a beach with a surfboard

The Lost Coast Trail is in the remote King Range National Conservation Area of Northern California. It takes 1-5 days to complete and you must have a permit to hike it, available through Recreation.gov.

This classic, beautiful beach hike is usually done from Mattole Beach to Shelter Cove so the wind is at your back. You’ll want to arrange a ride beforehand or take the shuttle back because the trail is one way.

Most of the Lost Coast Trail is on soft sand and rocky terrain, which makes the going a bit slower. Take your time, relax, and breathe in the fresh Pacific Ocean breeze. Most people hike this trail from April to September when the weather is warm and storm-free.

Fern Canyon, Redwoods National Park

Nature’s ultimate moss wall is just an easy hike away in Northern California.

a person walking down a path in the woods

One of the best hikes in Redwood National Park is also one of the easiest. Fern Canyon is a short, 1-mile loop trail that guides you through a canyon literally filled with ferns.

Fern Canyon has been used as a filming location in the Jurassic Park movies, and I can confirm the setting does feel almost prehistoric. You’re surrounded by hundreds of ferns, with tiny waterfalls around every corner and huge mossy walls stretching up on either side. Tack on another mile after Fern Canyon, and you’re walking through gigantic old-growth redwood trees.

Redwood National Park is completely free to enter, meaning you won’t need a National Parks pass. However, the Fern Canyon trailhead requires an $8 parking fee for the day.

San Jacinto

The mountains in Idyllwild are welcoming any time of the year.

Mt. San Jacinto is located in Idyllwild, a cute mountain town in Riverside County. This beautiful California hike takes around 8-10 hours to complete. It’s a great day trip from San Diego, but the San Jacinto Mountains heat up fast so you should plan on starting before 8 am.

The Marion Mountain Trail to San Jacinto’s 10,834-foot summit is a beautiful trek through a quiet forest. You will see awe-inspiring sunrises and sunsets and, if you’re lucky, some deer too.

You can also hike to the summit via the Palm Springs Tram, which makes for a much easier 2,620-ft trek. However, The Palm Springs Tram is $29.95 for adults and $17.95 for children, plus $12 for parking.

It may be longer, but I recommend the Marion Mountain Trail to San Jacinto’s summit because it’s free, less crowded, and in my opinion, more beautiful.

Coastal Trail, Mt. Tamalpais State Park

This section of the California Coastal Trail offers panoramic views of both the Pacific Ocean and the city of San Francisco.

a woman standing on a hill with a cell phone

The Coastal Trail in Mt. Tamalpais State Park is one of the best easy day hikes to do for gorgeous ocean views. It’s a relatively flat hike along an exposed ridge, with views of the Pacific Ocean the whole time. You can even see parts of San Francisco in the distance.

Start at the Pantoll campground parking area, then take the Matt Davis Trail. After about 1 mile, the Matt Davis Trail splits and turns into the Coastal Trail. Follow the Coastal Trail along West Ridgecrest Boulevard for as long as you want! Eventually, it will turn into the Bolinas Ridge Trail, and that’s a good cue to turn around and head back.

I like to connect the Coastal Trail to the Laurel Dell trailhead, and then follow that down to the Cataract Trail. The Cataract Trail showcases beautiful waterfalls that are a wonderful addition to the Coastal Trail’s epic views.

Deep Creek Hot Springs

Take a soak for ultimate relaxation in these high desert hot springs.

Deep Creek Hot Springs is one of the best hikes in Southern California for relaxation. It isn’t your typical hike — as the name suggests, the trail leads you to a series of hot springs. Deep Creek is one of the best hot springs in California!

The hike is 2.5 miles one way and you have to cross the Mojave River at one point, so wear something that can get wet. I recommend going during the weekdays to avoid the many weekend campers and thru-hikers. This way, you can have the most relaxing hot spring soak.

To get to the hot springs, you can either pay $10 to park at the Bonita Ranch parking lot area or you can hike 7 miles (one way) from the Pacific Crest Trail.

Mt. Whitney

The highest mountain in the contiguous United States is located in Central California.

Mt. Whitney is the tallest mountain in the lower 48 U.S. states and is one of the most beautiful hikes in the state. However, it’s also one of the most difficult, so prepare accordingly!

Mt. Whitney is located in the famous Sierra Nevada mountain range. The views from Mt. Whitney are unlike anything else you will see in the state. This hike will be the highlight of your California trip. But to do it, you must apply for a climbing wilderness permit in March from Recreation.gov.

Because the hike is so long, I recommend camping on the mountain overnight and packing for your hiking trip appropriately. This is a great way to adjust to the high 14,508-foot altitude and witness incredible sunrises and sunsets. Just keep in mind that Mt. Whitney receives a lot of traffic in the summer months when it is safer to climb without snow.

👉 Pro Tip: Marmots are very common at the campsites and they love human food. Don’t leave any unattended food in your tent because they will claw their way in if they smell it.

Ryan Mountain, Joshua Tree National Park

Experience views of the Mojave and Colorado deserts from this Joshua Tree mountain summit.

Joshua Tree National Park in southern California is an outdoor oasis with hundreds of hikes, including the famous Lost Palms Oasis Trail and Ryan Mountain. You are guaranteed to see rock climbers during your visit to the park, and perhaps bighorn sheep and jackrabbits too.

Ryan Mountain is the highest peak in the park at 5,457 feet. This moderate 3-mile roundtrip hike offers immaculate views from the top. You can see the Mojave Desert on one side and the Colorado Desert on the other.

Time your visit to California carefully if you plan on visiting Joshua Tree National Park. I recommend going in the spring, fall, or winter because the summers are over 100 degrees Fahrenheit daily.

Planning to stay overnight to hike even more Joshua Tree trails? See our guide to staying in Joshua Tree for more tips on picking the ideal places.

Mt. Shasta

Put your mountaineer skills to the test on this Cascade mountain.

two people riding skis on top of a snow covered slope

a person riding a rock on top of a mountain

Mt. Shasta is an active volcano in the southern Cascade mountains that gives mountaineers an adrenaline fix.

Due to the Avalanche Gulch Trail, this mountain is rated as expert and should only be attempted by experienced climbers. It encompasses a 3,000-foot vertical snow and ice climb that requires winter mountaineering equipment.

For those wanting to day hike the mountain, however, it’s possible in the later summer months. Start at the same Bunny Flats Trailhead and follow the Clear Creek Trail through scree and boulder fields to the top.

There are also some great California hiking trails around the base of the mountain, or you can hike to the Clear Creek Hut – approximately two miles into the trail.

Mt. Lassen Summit, Lassen National Park

Hike to the summit of this Northern California volcano in less than 4 hours.

two people standing on top of a mountain

Lassen Volcanic National Park is one of California’s most underrated national parks. What better way to experience it than by hiking its namesake volcano?

Reaching the Mt. Lassen summit is one of the easier peaks to bag in Northern California. It’s only 2.5 miles to the top, and many hikers make it to the summit in 3 – 4 hours. However, the trail is very steep and very exposed. Make sure to wear plenty of sunscreen and hike early in the day for the best conditions.

I started hiking Lassen at 4 am to make it to the top for sunrise. When the sun finally peaked over the Cascade Range, it illuminated mountains stretching as far as I could see. It was truly something special.

Mt. Baden Powell

Hike the most popular mountain in Wrightwood, California.

Mt. Baden Powell is a beautiful wooded forest trail in the San Gabriel Mountains of Southern California. The trail was named after the founder of the Boy Scouts of America, Lord Baden-Powell. It even crosses the Pacific Crest Trail on the way to the 9,399-foot summit.

Like many other SoCal hikes, this trail heats up quickly in the summertime. Hike early in the day, or plan your visit in a season other than summer. The road to the trailhead may be closed after winter storms, so be sure to check the conditions before you go.

Adventurous hikers can turn Mt. Baden Powell into a multi-peak hike. To do this, take a long but fun trek from the summit to the neighboring Dawson or Pine peaks. You can even go all the way to Mt. Baldy but be prepared for a very long hiking day if you do.

Mt. Langley

One of the most scenic mountain landscapes in the Eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains.

14,032-foot Mt. Langley neighbors Mt. Whitney and is one of the highest mountains in the Eastern Sierras. It’s less crowded than Whitney but still a challenging endurance hike. Plus, it has otherworldly views!

The trail begins at the Cottonwood Lakes Trailhead. Many hikers camp overnight to break up the 22 miles and help acclimatize to the elevation. Cottonwood Lakes Campground or the base of New Army Pass are perfect spots to camp on the mountain.

You’ll also need a permit from Recreation.gov to hike this mountain. The lottery starts in March and, the sooner you apply, the more likely you are to snag a spot.

Big Pine Lakes – Second Lake

Experience one of the most gorgeous hiking trails in Central California.

The Big Pine Lakes Trail is still somewhat of a hidden gem and not nearly as crowded as the high mountain peaks in the Sierra Nevada.

There are many places to stop along the Big Pine Lakes Trail, but the beauty and crystal-clear color of Second Lake is worth the break.

Just beyond Second Lake, you have the option of a day hike to the 3rd, 4th, and 5th lakes loop, or to continue straight to the Palisade Glacier Trail. From the Glacier, there are even more difficult mountains to climb such as Mt. Sill and Middle Palisade Mountain.

For a pristine mountain experience, visit Second Lake in the winter. You’ll need to bring winter hiking essentials and plenty of gear. But the views are breathtaking and you’re almost guaranteed to have it to yourself.

San Gorgonio

The highest mountain in SoCal has amazing views.

Welcome to the highest peak in SoCal! At 11,503 feet, San Gorgonio has some of epic summit views.

The Vivian Creek Trail is 19 miles long and there are no shortcuts, so only attempt this mountain if you are okay with endurance hiking.

You can also summit via the South Forks Trail, a less crowded (but longer) 22-mile trail. The South Forks Trail also makes a great winter mountaineering and ski mountaineering route.

👉Pro Tip: Bring at least 3 liters of water on this 19-mile hike because natural water sources are limited. I recommend bringing a water bladder to carry it along. It’s one of the top items on our hiking essentials packing list after all!

John Muir Trail

211 miles of pure Sierra Nevada wilderness, from Yosemite to Mt. Whitney.

The John Muir Trail is a thru-hike that starts in Yosemite Valley and ends on Mt. Whitney (or vice versa). It usually takes hikers 10-14 days to complete this enjoyable hike, but many people simply section-hike the trail if they don’t have that much time.

The John Muir Trail is a great opportunity to experience the remote wilderness of the Sierra Nevada and escape the summertime crowds. However, you must apply ahead of time to hike the 211-mile trail with a $10 non-refundable fee, and then pay another $5 if you are granted the permit.

Good re-supply stops on the trail to stock up on food and toiletries are either Tuolumne Meadows or Kearsarge Pass.

🛎️ Looking for cheap accommodation along the trail? Take a rest day at The Hostel California before continuing with your thru-hike.

Tokopah Falls, Sequoia National Park

Cool off on a hot day in Sequoia’s Tokopah Falls.

Visit the refreshing Tokopah Falls in Sequoia National Park to cool off from the summer heat. It’s only 3.8 miles, making this a great hike for the whole family.

The moderate trail typically takes less than 2 hours, but I recommend spending some time at the falls or going swimming in the nearby river.

This is a very popular hiking and California camping spot in one of the most popular national parks in California, so prepare to share it with others. And keep in mind that dogs aren’t allowed on the trail.

Half Dome Cables

This Yosemite National Park trail is filled with steep, high-adrenaline fun.

Want to hike Half Dome but you’re not a rock climber? Then you’re in luck! The Half Dome Cables hike in Northern California is one of the hardest hikes I’ve ever done, but the views from the top are absolutely worth it.

The out-and-back trail is about 17 miles long and starts at the Mist Trail Trailhead. This is the same trailhead for the Yosemite Falls Trails, two other popular hikes in Yosemite, so the parking lot fills up quickly.

The approach to the base of the cables is long and moderately steep. Climbing the cables, however, makes this a hard and steep hike. Because of this, it’s recommended to bring gardening gloves or other grippy rubber gloves so you can grasp the cables better.

There are fatalities every year on this hike, so exercise extreme caution. You may want to bring a hiking harness to clip into the cables for extra protection.

👉 Pro Tip: Like most other Sierra Nevada hikes, you’ll need a Recreation.gov permit to climb Half Dome, so don’t forget to apply in early March!

Vernal and Nevada Falls

Get a good workout on this stunning Yosemite trail with two waterfalls.

The Vernal and Nevada Falls Trail is incredibly popular and insanely steep. It’s a great workout, though, and you can see the entire Yosemite Valley from the top.

Starting at the Mist Trail Trailhead, this tough 7-mile out-and-back hike climbs almost 2,000 feet. After the first Vernal Falls, the crowds thin out as only a few people hike to Nevada Falls. I recommend hiking this Yosemite trail in the early fall when all the leaves are changing colors.

Tahoe Rim Trail

Thru-hike 165 miles around the stunning Lake Tahoe in Northern California.

The Tahoe Rim Trail is a thru-hike around the entire circumference of Lake Tahoe. It’s 165 miles in total, but many people section-hike the trail if they don’t have that much time.

The trail takes an average of 2 weeks to complete, with one resupply stop in the middle. Most thru-hikers will resupply in Tahoe City. Of course, if you want to hike around Lake Tahoe but don’t have 2 weeks, then I recommend day hiking the tallest mountains in Lake Tahoe – Sonora Peak, Freel Peak, or Rose Peak.

The Spooner Lake Loop is a great hike to start with for an easy hike around Lake Tahoe with the whole family. It is 2.1 miles round-trip and follows an easy, well-maintained trail the whole time. There are opportunities for the perfect Tahoe Rim Trail photo everywhere along the lake.

Lake Aloha, Desolation Wilderness

Hike past 5 different alpine lakes in this Northern California wilderness area.

a man standing on top of a rock next to a lake

Lake Aloha is a stunning hike through miles of alpine lakes in the wilderness area around Lake Tahoe. Unlike popular Lake Tahoe, however, Lake Aloha is an off-the-beaten-track destination that offers unparalleled solitude.

The trail begins at Echo Lake trailhead, giving you gorgeous views of Echo Lakes as you hike by. There’s also an option to take a boat across Echo Lake instead of hiking next to it, which shaves several miles off of your overall trip.

Most people hike to Lake Aloha as an overnight backpacking trip. You can set up camp around the lake and watch a beautiful sunset and sunrise before hiking back the next day.

Matterhorn Peak

Exercise your route-finding skills on this hard-to-find trail in Northern California.

You don’t have to travel to the European Alps to climb the Matterhorn! California has its very own Matterhorn Peak. It’s rated as expert and is for experienced climbers only.

Made famous by Jack Kerouac’s book The Dharma Bums, Matterhorn Peak in Bridgeport is a steep rock scramble with no trail. The trail follows a maintained path for about 2 miles, leads you up steep boulder fields, and eventually leaves you to your own devices to find the route.

This incredibly challenging climb appeals to seasoned climbers because it’s a great mountain for practicing remote climbing skills before attempting bigger international mountains.

There are class 2, 3, and 4 scrambling routes, gear-required rock climbing routes, and winter mountaineering routes.

👉 Pro Tip: Never attempt a winter climbing route without an ice axe and crampons. For more, see my guide to rock climbing in California.

Ice House Canyon Trail

Hikers can choose to summit one of many mountains accessible from this San Gabriel trailhead just outside of Los Angeles.

a woman standing on top of a rock with a mountain

Ice House Canyon is located in the San Gabriel Mountains near Mount Baldy, and it’s one of the most popular hiking trails near Los Angeles. The trailhead is accessed via Mount Baldy Road, two miles before the turn-off for Manker Flats (the Baldy Trailhead).

The trail follows a rushing alpine creek for the first mile. Most Ice House hikers stop at the saddle, 3.6 miles into the hike. Hikers continuing to push forward from the saddle have several options.

Timber Mountain is only 0.9 miles from the saddle. This peak can also be combined with Telegraph and Thunder Mountain to complete the 3 T’s Trail that lets out on the Baldy side. You can also access Cucamonga Peak and Ontario Peak from the Ice House Saddle, two peaks in the famed SoCal 6 Pack of Peaks Challenge.

Due to its proximity to LA and quick access to high mountain peaks, Ice House Canyon fills up considerably on the weekends. I recommend hiking during the week for a remote submergence in nature.

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Thanks for reading my picks for the best California hikes! Want to lounge at the beach after a hard mountain hike? Check out this great list of the best beaches in Southern California next. Have fun on the trails!

about me

Welcome to my travel website! I’m Mary Howard, an American who has been exploring the world full-time for 8 years.

Together with my husband, Intan, we often find ourselves in our second home, Bali, but our adventures take us to exciting destinations all over the globe.

Join us on our journey!