Southern California Hiking Trails
Whether you enjoy the process of hiking long trails and spending nights under the stars, or prefer the ease of day long hikes, southern California hiking trails have something for every taste.
Southern California Trails
California is a beautiful place for hiking. With mountain areas, desert regions and miles and miles of coastline, there are many different types of terrain to hike in and around. All parts of this state are excellent for those who enjoy hiking, from the areas of Napa Valley and around San Francisco in the northern part of the state, to the southern California hiking trails found near the beaches and cities of Los Angeles and San Diego.
Most of the southern California hiking trails are found just outside of Los Angeles in Orange County. This area is home to both inland hiking possibilities and coastal regions, such as Laguna Beach. These areas are filled with different experiences, from places with rock outcroppings to climb to beach walks that take you right against the Pacific Ocean. If you want a truly unique experience, take one of the many catamarans in the area to Catalina Island. While it seems like a tourist area, one half of the island is filled with virtually untouched island hiking opportunities.
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If you think you might enjoy a desert hike better than a coastal one, you can't miss the Devil's Punchbowl, which is a one mile round trip circular hiking trail that goes through some of the most interesting animals and terrain in the area. Situated between the San Andreas Fault and the Punchbowl Fault, this area is a 300 foot deep canyon. The trail here leads you down into that canyon, where you can see various rock formations as well as a small nature center.
The Santa Monica Mountains are also a great area to hike in. If you enjoy movies that are made to portray Africa, the Amazon and the Wild West – you'll love it here. That's because many of the movies that show these areas were actually shot here, in the Santa Monica mountains. The trails here can lead you up and around the mountains of the region, and the trails are also good for bicycling as well.
California is the place to be, whether you enjoy camping and hiking or a trip to Disneyland. The many southern California hiking trails that are open to the public will be enough to keep you busy all vacation long.