Discover hiking and biking trails on the California Coast. Beach hikes, bike paths, hot springs, waterfalls, ocean vistas, swimming holes, and much more.
The best bike route in the Los Angeles area is “The Strand,” which is officially named the Marvin Braude Bike Trail and follows the shores of Santa Monica Bay. This famous paved bike path starts at Torrance Beach in the South Bay area and heads north all the way to Will Rogers State Beach in the Pacific […]
Most of Catalina is remote land with trails and unpaved roads for getting around. And since few of the island’s visitors get far from the main port city of Avalon, it’s a day-hiker’s and backpacker’s paradise. The Trans-Catalina Trail is a way to see more of the island in one trip by connecting trails, backroads, […]
The California Coastal Trail is an evolving thru-trail that follows the entire coastline of California as close to the ocean as possible. Throughout its 1200 miles it uses trails, roads, sidewalks, and of course beaches to get folks from the border with Mexico to Oregon. It changes over time as trails are added and other […]
Sand dunes are diverse natural habitats that can be sources of endless fun whether it is hiking or just playing around. California has dunes all along its Pacific Ocean shoreline so no matter where you are traveling you’ll find one to discover. These sand dunes can be organized into two different categories. The first is […]
The best way to see the beaches of La Jolla is to walk the shoreline of this upscale village. Part of this shoreline walk is officially called the La Jolla Coast Walk Trail, but few people walk the entire shore. It’s a fun sandy trek that the entire family will enjoy, but bring sunblock as […]
California has hot springs scattered about the state, but if you are traveling the California Coast then your options are limited. The central coast between Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area has a bunch to choose from, but they are quite diverse. See the map above and the descriptions below. Few of these […]
The Lost Coast Trail is a popular summer backpacking route along the most remote shoreline in Northern California. The trail meanders at the foot of high mountains in the King Range of southern Humboldt County and northern Mendocino County. This terrain is so rugged that no paved roads exist along the shore for more […]
The final hike descent at Cowell Ranch Beach Many people look for beaches with parking lots near the sand. There are many reasons for this including accessibility challenges, families with little ones, carrying heavy beach chairs or coolers, and sometimes just the lack of time needed for a long walk to the beach. But when […]
The adventurous folks are keen to bucket lists. It might be a list of mountains they want to climb, national parks they want to visit, or streams where they want to cast a line. This list of beaches is for them. If you know an adventurous soul, you should share list this with them, or […]
California has several picturesque beach waterfalls and falls near beaches. Waterfalls that flow right onto the sand are a unique phenomenon – only two exist in California. Southern California has large sandy beaches and much more to offer, but it has no waterfalls anywhere near the ocean. Central and Northern California have several waterfalls right […]
This is a rare hiking opportunity near the Los Angeles metropolis. In the San Gabriel Mountains north of Azuza there is a hike that follows a river valley up to a huge concrete arch bridge that was never opened to the public. A large flood in 1938 wiped out the road path and the project […]
If there is a better form of exercise than going on a beautiful hike near the beach, we can’t think of what it could be. Between the pleasant weather and the stunning scenery, you may actually forget that you’re working hard and burning calories. We’ve previously listed some ideas for sunset hikes and trails that […]
The sun’s out, the temp’s climbing to 80-90 degrees everyday, and we’re all dreaming of cooling off with some ice cream by the water. Luckily Southern California has plenty of opportunities for both. There’s not only sandy beaches along the coast but also a few swimming holes further inland where you can go for a […]
A long walk on the beach can be so relaxing, but it’s also pretty refreshing to wander California’s oceanside boardwalks. San Diego County especially has beautiful paved and wooden routes that span the coastline, and the most popular one across Mission Beach also has fun shops and restaurants to check out as well. If you’re […]
We’ve talked about the best beaches in California for watching the sunset, and we’ve also mentioned some of the best places to get in a good hike. But combine the two and you’ve got yourself a great evening: A good workout culminating in a gorgeous sunset. When you’re ready for a long pre-dinner walk with […]
When someone says “take a hike”, they’re actually suggesting a great idea. Nothing soothes the mind, body, and soul like heading out for some fresh air and sunshine. And California’s coast is certainly one of the most beautiful places to hike! Between the misty, rugged northern coastline and sun-drenched, sandy beaches further south, the Golden […]
Hiking on the beach is fun, but nothing tops riding a bike by the water. The cool wind in your face and thrill from traveling at a faster speed will give you a revitalizing experience every time. Plus – the views! California’s beaches are some of the most beautiful in the country, so it’s no […]
Thanksgiving sets the tone for all the overindulgence of the holiday season. And while there’s nothing wrong with enjoying yourself to the fullest, if you live a healthy lifestyle you’ll probably want to work off the calories. And if you happen to be on the California coast, you can enjoy a stunning view while you […]
Like most other things, hiking is better when it’s done by the beach. And here in California, we have plenty of incredible coastal trails to choose from. But sometimes you don’t have the entire day to devote to scaling a huge trail… and sometimes you’re just not up for an enormous trek. These trails are […]
The San Clemente Beach Coastal Trail is a 2.3 mile long trail with access to the uninterrupted sandy shoreline of San Clemente in Orange County. This wide dirt path is popular with cyclists, walkers, and runners. Beach goers can park at any of the beaches along the route to access the beaches (see the map […]
