With the new year starting, it’s exciting to think about new adventures. Every year should include a good amount of nature and exploration, wouldn’t you agree? To that end, we have curated a list of amazing scenic trails in Southern California, along with the best times to enjoy them. Whether you plan to venture onto one or more of these trails, to hike them in this order or mix it up a little, it is all up to you.
- January - Moonridge Trail to Bow Canyon Trail, Big Bear Lake, CA
Sergio Montero/AllTrails The snowy hills of Big Bear are excellent for hiking, snowshoeing, or cross-country skiing, with crisp mountain air, clear blue skies, and Moonridge Trail provides views of everything from pine forests to the crystal blue lake. 43665 Shasta Rd, Big Bear Lake, CA 92315, USA
- February - Round Valley Trail, Mount San Jacinto State Park
EvaF2Eva/TripAdvisor This relatively short and easy hike begins at Mountain Station and sets off to explore Mount San Jacinto State Park. This trail - and many other trails in the park - can be accessed via the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. Round Valley Trail, California, USA
- March - Quail Loop Trail, Irvine, CA
Phillip Lin/Google Local The Quail Loop trail is an easy hike that leads through the Irvine Open Space Preserve, a designated Natural Landmark, and offers gorgeous views shaped and colored by wildflowers and rocky hills. 34 Shady Canyon Dr, Irvine, CA 92603, USA
- April - Eaton Canyon Trail, Altadena, CA
Liz Funes/AllTrails After winter rains and before the summer heat is the best time for waterfall hikes, when water will be flowing at its peak. Eaton Canyon Trail is surprisingly close to town but leads to a breathtaking waterfall and natural pool. Eaton Canyon Falls Trail, Altadena, CA, USA
- May - Cedar Creek Falls, Ramona, CA
mkhali31/TripAdvisor These stunning falls require a bit of energy to reach and the trail can be quite exhausting in the summer heat, so we recommend visiting in mid to late spring, and bringing water along for the trek. The reward is definitely worth the effort here and you will want to stick around and enjoy the view. 15519 Thornbush Rd, Ramona, CA 92065, USA
- June - Cabrillo National Monument Bayside Trail, San Diego, CA
Nancy Miller/TripAdvisor The Bayside Trail is a special one, with expansive views of the Pacific Ocean, Mexico, the San Diego skyline, Coronado Island Bridge, the Laguna mountains, and the Naval Air Station North Island. This family-friendly trail is also marked by plenty of native foliage and wildlife critters. 1800 Cabrillo Memorial Dr, San Diego, CA 92106, USA
- July - Torrey Pines State Reserve, La Jolla, CA
Mack Amorn/Google Local Torrey Pines is a rare and unexpected stretch of wilderness tucked between urban towns and the ocean. Home to the country’s rarest pine tree, the reserve is an awe-inspiring landscape full of cliffs, badland revines, a salt marsh, wildflowers and native plants, quail and water fowl, not to mention phenomenal ocean views from the trails. Torrey Pines Reserve is easily accessible and close to the charming downtown area of La Jolla. 12600 N Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
- August - San Onofre Beach, San Clemente, CA
Masha Poses/Google Local Nothing beats the beach for summer hiking, and San Onofre Beach Trail is an excellent choice. A flat trail begins at the North Beach train station and continues over two miles to reach the State beach. The trail is defined by rugged cliffs, plant-covered hills, and pristine coastline. Summer doesn’t get much better. San Clemente Pedestrian Beach Trail, San Clemente, CA 92672, USA
- September - Seascape Trail and Golden Cove Trail, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
Vionodthan Nayagar/Google Local September is picnic weather and this joint trail follows the scenic bluffs of the Palos Verdes Peninsula to the stunning vista point at Calle Entradero. Here you will find tables waiting for you to enjoy lunch while looking out over the rocky coast and blue waters below. 30940 Hawthorne Blvd, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275, USA
- October - Woodland Trail, Big Bear Lake, CA
Itcheetam/TripAdvisor Big Bear Lake gets a lot of attention as a winter destination, but it is also a wonderful place for hiking and seeing colorful fall foliage. There are many trails around the lake itself, but the Woodland Interpretive Trail is a good one to start with. It is a family-friendly nature trail that winds along the north side of the lake through the pine trees that populate the foothills. There are lots of picnic areas around the lake to round out a nice day trip. 40971 N Shore Dr, Big Bear, CA 92314, USA
- November - Inspiration Point Trail, Pacific Palisades, CA
Damcho Diana Finnegan/AllTrails Crisp fall weather, panoramic views, and sunset over the ocean - it all comes together at Inspiration Point in Will Rogers State Park. On a clear day, you can see the iconic Los Angeles city skyline, Santa Monica Bay, and the Channel Islands off the Southern California coast. Will Rogers State Park Road, Will Rogers State Park Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90272, USA
- December - Panorama Loop, Joshua Tree, CA
Giuseppe Milo/Flickr Summer temperatures in Southern California’s deserts often get too high to safely enjoy the most gorgeous hikes in Joshua Tree National Park. In winter, however, the weather is warmer than many parts of the country, making it a nice escape, while being cool enough for a strenuous desert hike. The Panorama Loop trail, just as the name suggests, leads to fabulous panoramic views of Joshua Tree. Black Rock Canyon Trailhead, Yucca Valley, CA 92284, USA
So, are you ready for a year full of adventure and exploration? What do you think of this list of scenic trails in Southern California? Tell us which of these trails you would love to take this year.
Sergio Montero/AllTrails
The snowy hills of Big Bear are excellent for hiking, snowshoeing, or cross-country skiing, with crisp mountain air, clear blue skies, and Moonridge Trail provides views of everything from pine forests to the crystal blue lake.
43665 Shasta Rd, Big Bear Lake, CA 92315, USA
EvaF2Eva/TripAdvisor
This relatively short and easy hike begins at Mountain Station and sets off to explore Mount San Jacinto State Park. This trail - and many other trails in the park - can be accessed via the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway.
Round Valley Trail, California, USA
Phillip Lin/Google Local
The Quail Loop trail is an easy hike that leads through the Irvine Open Space Preserve, a designated Natural Landmark, and offers gorgeous views shaped and colored by wildflowers and rocky hills.
34 Shady Canyon Dr, Irvine, CA 92603, USA
Liz Funes/AllTrails
After winter rains and before the summer heat is the best time for waterfall hikes, when water will be flowing at its peak. Eaton Canyon Trail is surprisingly close to town but leads to a breathtaking waterfall and natural pool.
Eaton Canyon Falls Trail, Altadena, CA, USA
mkhali31/TripAdvisor
These stunning falls require a bit of energy to reach and the trail can be quite exhausting in the summer heat, so we recommend visiting in mid to late spring, and bringing water along for the trek. The reward is definitely worth the effort here and you will want to stick around and enjoy the view.
15519 Thornbush Rd, Ramona, CA 92065, USA
Nancy Miller/TripAdvisor
The Bayside Trail is a special one, with expansive views of the Pacific Ocean, Mexico, the San Diego skyline, Coronado Island Bridge, the Laguna mountains, and the Naval Air Station North Island. This family-friendly trail is also marked by plenty of native foliage and wildlife critters.
1800 Cabrillo Memorial Dr, San Diego, CA 92106, USA
Mack Amorn/Google Local
Torrey Pines is a rare and unexpected stretch of wilderness tucked between urban towns and the ocean. Home to the country’s rarest pine tree, the reserve is an awe-inspiring landscape full of cliffs, badland revines, a salt marsh, wildflowers and native plants, quail and water fowl, not to mention phenomenal ocean views from the trails. Torrey Pines Reserve is easily accessible and close to the charming downtown area of La Jolla.
12600 N Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
Masha Poses/Google Local
Nothing beats the beach for summer hiking, and San Onofre Beach Trail is an excellent choice. A flat trail begins at the North Beach train station and continues over two miles to reach the State beach. The trail is defined by rugged cliffs, plant-covered hills, and pristine coastline. Summer doesn’t get much better.
San Clemente Pedestrian Beach Trail, San Clemente, CA 92672, USA
Vionodthan Nayagar/Google Local
September is picnic weather and this joint trail follows the scenic bluffs of the Palos Verdes Peninsula to the stunning vista point at Calle Entradero. Here you will find tables waiting for you to enjoy lunch while looking out over the rocky coast and blue waters below.
30940 Hawthorne Blvd, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275, USA
Itcheetam/TripAdvisor
Big Bear Lake gets a lot of attention as a winter destination, but it is also a wonderful place for hiking and seeing colorful fall foliage. There are many trails around the lake itself, but the Woodland Interpretive Trail is a good one to start with. It is a family-friendly nature trail that winds along the north side of the lake through the pine trees that populate the foothills. There are lots of picnic areas around the lake to round out a nice day trip.
40971 N Shore Dr, Big Bear, CA 92314, USA
Damcho Diana Finnegan/AllTrails
Crisp fall weather, panoramic views, and sunset over the ocean - it all comes together at Inspiration Point in Will Rogers State Park. On a clear day, you can see the iconic Los Angeles city skyline, Santa Monica Bay, and the Channel Islands off the Southern California coast.
Will Rogers State Park Road, Will Rogers State Park Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90272, USA
Giuseppe Milo/Flickr
Summer temperatures in Southern California’s deserts often get too high to safely enjoy the most gorgeous hikes in Joshua Tree National Park. In winter, however, the weather is warmer than many parts of the country, making it a nice escape, while being cool enough for a strenuous desert hike. The Panorama Loop trail, just as the name suggests, leads to fabulous panoramic views of Joshua Tree.
Black Rock Canyon Trailhead, Yucca Valley, CA 92284, USA
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