15 Best Hiking Trails In Southern California

1. Paradise Falls In Thousand Oaks

Paradise Falls is a gorgeous hike in Thousand Oaks that leads to a year-round waterfall. Paradise Falls is 40 feet tall and flows over a cliff into a pool below it.

This waterfall hike is located within Wildwood Regional Park and is 3 miles long with 500 feet of elevation gain. Paradise Falls Trail is family-friendly, and leashed dogs are welcome too.

We hiked Paradise Falls Trail with our infant in a carrier. The trail was fairly easy, but there was a steep section with narrow, rocky switchbacks as you near the waterfall.

When you reach the end of the trail, you can cross the creek to get a better vantage point and take some photos of the waterfall.

Tip: Note that swimming is not allowed at this location due to poor water quality.

2. Griffith Park In Los Angeles

Covering over 4200 acres, Griffith Park is one of the largest urban parks in California. There is so much to do here, including many hiking trails to choose from. This is a great place to go and enjoy a bit of time in nature away from the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles.

Griffith Park is best known for the Griffith Observatory and the world-famous Hollywood Sign that you can see from the trails.

If you’re looking for a shorter hike, I recommend the Ferndell to the West Observatory Loop Trail. This route is 2.6 miles long with 600 feet of elevation gain.

This hike starts in a lush, wooded forest before climbing up to the observatory. Once you exit the forest, most of the trail is exposed to the sun, but it’s not a far climb up before you reach the observatory.

3. Escondido Falls In Malibu

Escondido Falls is another popular waterfall hike in Southern California. This waterfall is located in Malibu but only flows with water in spring or after heavy rainfall.

Escondido Falls Trail is 3.6 miles long with 480 feet of elevation gain. This trail is family and dog-friendly, and we saw many families with little kids tackling this trail. There will be multiple creek crossings that you will need to do in the spring months when the creeks are full of water.

Located just an hour’s drive west of Los Angeles, Escondido Falls is a very popular destination, especially on the weekends. Parking can be a challenge, so try to arrive early to secure a spot in the paid parking lot. It costs $12 to park here for the entire day.

4. Potato Chip Rock

Potato Chip Rock is one of the most popular hikes in Southern California that has a big payoff at the end of it. Many people hike this route just to take a photo standing at the edge of this rock formation.

The Potato Chip Rock and Mt. Woodson Summit trail is 7.2 miles long with 2000 feet of elevation gain, so be prepared for a long and steep day hike. But the distance and difficulty doesn’t deter the crowds!

The trail starts by Lake Poway and winds around the lake before entering the wilderness. As you climb up, you’ll get to see incredible views of rolling hills, giant boulders, and the ocean in the distance.

When you reach the Potato Chip Rock, there might be a line with people waiting to walk across it. If you enjoy photography, bring along your camera to take some fun photos for memories!

Tip: Be sure to bring plenty of water, sunscreen, and a hiking hat, and go in the cooler seasons. Many people underestimate this hike and run out of water before reaching the Potato Chip Rock.

5. Mount Baldy

Located about an hour’s drive northeast of Los Angeles, Mount Baldy is a popular outdoor destination for Southern California residents. But if you want to hike to the summit of Mount Baldy, prepare for a long and challenging day hike.

Standing at 10,064 feet, Mount Baldy is the tallest peak in LA County.  The summit of Mt. Baldy is unique and bare, with almost no trees growing on it. The trail to reach the summit is 10 miles long with 3900 feet of grueling elevation gain.

The best time to hike Mount Baldy is in the summer when all of the snow at the peak has melted. Otherwise, you will need to come prepared with proper winter gear like snowshoes and ice axes.

6. Castle Rock Trail

If you’re planning a trip to Big Bear Lake, the Castle Rock Trail is a must-do hike in the area. I’ve done this hike many times through various seasons, and it never disappoints!

Castle Rock Trail is 3 miles long out and back with 800 feet of elevation gain. Parking for the trail is located along Big Bear Blvd and fills up quickly. You will need to cross the highway to get to the trailhead, so be sure to keep a lookout for incoming cars.

This trail can feel quite challenging with a steady uphill climb through a forest the entire time. But the views of Big Bear Lake from the summit are well worth it!

Read Next: 15 Best Fall Hikes To Do In California

7. Runyon Canyon In Los Angeles

If you live in Los Angeles, Runyon Canyon is one of the best places to go for some fresh air and a good workout. But because it’s located in downtown LA, Runyon Canyon gets very busy, especially on the weekends.

Runyon Canyon Park has several routes to choose from. Runyon Canyon Trail is a popular loop that is 2.8 miles in distance with 750 feet of elevation gain.

This trail offers incredible views of LA City, the Hollywood Sign, and Griffith Observatory in the distance. There are resting benches along the way to take a break and enjoy the views.

8. Cowles Mountain Trail

Located on the outskirts of San Diego, Cowles Mountain Trail is one of the best urban hikes to do in the area. While the trek to the summit is only 3 miles long, this little trail can be quite steep and rocky!

Cowles Mountain is the highest point in San Diego. From the summit of Cowles Mountain, you can enjoy some pretty epic views of the city, the ocean, and even Mexico.

Cowles Mountain Trail can get very crowded with locals, especially on the weekends. Be sure to bring plenty of water, a hiking hat, and sunscreen, as most of it is exposed to the sun with very little shade.

9. Bridge To Nowhere

Bridge To Nowhere is one of the most unique adventures that I’ve done in Southern California. This is a long, challenging 10-mile hike with 940 feet of elevation gain and multiple river crossings.

The hike ends at an abandoned bridge in the middle of nowhere within the San Gabriel Mountains. The bridge was part of a road that washed away in the 1930’s. Now the bridge is used for bungee jumping excursions with Bungee America tour company.

I hiked this trail with my friends as part of the Bungee America experience. The trail goes by much faster than you expect, and we got to jump off a bridge at the 5-mile mark before heading back.

If you enjoy thrilling activities, add this one to your bucket list!

Read Next: 12 Top Adrenaline-Pumping Activities In California

10. Crystal Cove State Park In Laguna Beach

Crystal Cove State Park is one of the best places to go for a weekend outing in Southern California. This place has it all – sunny beaches, restaurants, marine life, and lots of trail options.

If you’re looking for an easy beach hike, I recommend the Reef Point and Crystal Cove Trail. This is a mostly flat 5-mile-long loop that travels along a bluff and down to the beach. There are also many inland trails, like the El Moro Canyon Loop Trail, that overlook the ocean, but they are much more challenging with steep uphill climbs.

Crystal Cove State Park is part of a protected marine conservation area. This park does not allow dogs, and the first time we came here with our dog, we had to leave and go somewhere else to hike.  

Visitor Tip: Parking for Crystal Cove State Park costs $15 on regular days, or $20 on special holidays and summer weekends.

11. Solstice Canyon Trail In Malibu

The Solstice Canyon Trail is a wonderful day hike in Malibu that is around 3 miles long. This is a great hike to do for families and people with dogs looking for a fun weekend adventure.

Solstice Canyon Trail starts along a wide path and leads to hidden ruins in a lush canyon. Then it climbs up along a mountain ridge with amazing views along the way.

About halfway into the trail, you will reach the historical Roberts Ranch House ruins. This house was built by Fred Roberts and his wife Florence in 1952 as part of their dream to live in Solstice Canyon.

Eventually, the house burned down, but visitors can walk through the house ruins and see a small waterfall at the back of it.

12. Trans-Catalina Trail

Trans-Catalina Trail is one of those hikes that you have to do at least once in your lifetime! This 38-mile-long route travels across the entire Catalina Island, offering incredible ocean views along the way.

The Trans-Catalina Trail is very rugged, and it typically takes 3-5 days to do the entire route. We could only spend 3 days on this trek, so we pushed ourselves every day, hiking 10-15 miles each day.

This trail has many unique aspects, including hidden beach campsites, seeing wild buffalo, and taking a ferry to and from the island.

One of the best parts of this hike is that you can stop at the Airport in the Sky Restaurant halfway to fuel up on coffee and food before continuing on.

13. Barker Dam At Joshua Tree National Park

Joshua Tree National Park is an excellent destination to visit in Southern California in the cooler seasons from fall to spring. This is a great time to do a bit of hiking and explore this incredible desert park.

Barker Dam Nature Trail is a short and easy trail that I recommend for first-time visitors. This loop is only 1.3 miles long and passes the historic Barker Dam along the way. 

Barker Dam was built in 1900 and further improved in the 1950s by a local rancher, William F. Keys. Now the dam collects rainwater that attracts the local desert animals that are trying to survive in the dry desert landscape. 

14. Inspiration Point In Santa Barbara

Inspiration Point Trail is a beautiful hike hidden within the foothills of Santa Barbara. This trail leads to a stunning viewpoint of the Santa Barbara coastline and the ocean from its summit.

Parking for this hike can be a bit of a challenge. There isn’t a designated trail parking lot, so you’ll need to park along the Tunnel Road near the Inspiration Point Trailhead wherever you can find a spot.

The trail is 3.5 miles long with a steep uphill climb the entire way. The trail finishes at a gorgeous overlook of the Santa Barbara coastline. This is a great spot to take a break and enjoy the surrounding views before heading back the same way that you came.

15. Heart Rock Trail In San Bernardino Mountains

Heart Rock Trail is a bit of a hidden gem in the San Bernardino Mountains. This short 2-mile hike leads to a unique rock formation in the shape of a heart. We hiked this trail after visiting the nearby Silverwood Lake and camping in the area.

Heart Rock can be a bit difficult to find, so I recommend using a hiking app like AllTrails. The route is fairly easy, and you will pass a few small waterfalls along the way.

Read more: 50 Interesting & Unique Places To Visit In California

15 Best Hikes In Southern California

Map Tip: Click on each location to see more details!

Which of these Southern California trails are you adding to your bucket list? Let us know in the comment section below!

Looking for more hiking trails to do in California? Be sure to check out these popular posts next:

• 10 Best Hiking Trails In Ventura, California
• 8 Best Day Hikes In Sequoia National Forest
• 15 Top Dog-Friendly Hikes On The California Coast
• 10 Of The Best Hikes Near Bakersfield, California
• 15 Best Fall Hikes To Do In California

This post is written by Laura. Hi, I’m a California local and the founder of the California Wanderland travel blog. I currently live in Ventura County and help 50,000 readers a month discover things to do in Central California! Read more about me here.

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