Top Things to do in California
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Things to do in California, United States: The Best Hiking Trails
California is a fertile, peaceful place where you’ll find a near-equal balance of vineyards and deserts, beaches and mountains, hippies and traditionalists. Catch an epic wave in Big Sur or swirl a glass in Napa Valley. Be dazzled by the Joshua Tree night sky or just star-gaze in Hollywood. Swish down the slopes of a Tahoe ski resort, or cruise across the Golden Gate Bridge with the top down and the music blasting. Above all, don’t forget to soak up some Golden State sunshine.
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1. Moro Rock Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,545 reviews
A challenging walk up 400 steps to a spectacular view.
Reviewed By TravelingMerm - Monrovia, United States
You'll earn the view...it's 350 steps and takes you to 6725 feet elevation! It's sooo worth it! The climb up is relatively easy, even if you're moderately out of shape like me! There are sections of gradual inclines in between stairs so you get a break. There are plenty of points climbing up where you'll want to stop and take pictures also, so you can catch your breath. There were several families with babies even climbing up. Your reward is an amazing view of the national park and the Great Western Divide! It's a short hike, we were only here about 30-40 minutes. But a definite must-see while you're here!
2. Redwood National Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,127 reviews
National park that preserves an area of over 110,000 acres of Redwood rainforest and 50 miles of scenic coastline in Northern California.
Reviewed By LeeRuth - Eau Claire, United States
* Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park/Redwoods National Park * Turn on Davison Road/Elk Meadow/Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park/Redwood National Park-follow to Gold Bluffs Beach Campground /Fern Canyon Trail—Awesome Drive !!!! * The scenery changes dramatically when you turn onto this road. A 4 mile beautiful drive on a narrow, curvy, up hill road. There are beautiful blue/green ferns on either side of this road.Arrive at the ranger station for entrance fee. Then another 4 mile drive to the Fern Canyon trail. The campground entrance is along the way. You’ll have to ford a creek. Fern Canyon-FANTASTIC!! gorgeous, lush, green rocky, damp trail alongside a babbling creek. ( Be sure you have walking shoes) I could only go about 1/4 mile. We didn’t make it to the waterfall. The entire loop is 1.1 miles. Because I walk with a cane I was unable to complete the entire loop. Don’t miss this Canyon! * After coming out of here we drove north Towards Berry Glenn just North of here take a right off Hwy 101 then a left for a more "wilderness type" experience amongst the giant redwoods on Newton Drury scenic parkway.
3. Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 228 reviews
A number of areas for visitors along Lake Tahoe, with the most popular being Sand Harbor.
Reviewed By G2055DWpatriciah - Denver, United States
We planned the tour at the beginning of our trip so we would have an idea of where we might want to return. The tour was more fun and informative than we ever imagined. It was literally one of the best parts of our trip! Jim was an amazing guide.
4. Mist Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,020 reviews
Eminently accessible and popular, the Mist Trail takes hikers through Yosemite National Park to Vernal Fall Bridge, the best place to watch the waterfall.
Reviewed By val0rih - Brainerd, United States
Our family with two kids (6&7) did his hike at the end of August and we had a great experience and views. It was not smoky at all. The trail gets very busy so an early start is recommended!! I am in decent shape so this may be why I think this but I thought down was harder on the body than up!! We went down the John Muir trail and my knees and toes hurt quite a bit. Bring enough water as we didn’t and was quite parched by the time we reached the water refill station. We brought a picnic lunch and had one lunch on top of Vernal falls in the rocks by emerald pool and then another lunch on top of Nevada Falls....some of the best picnic spots I’ve ever experienced. It’s such a great feeling reaching the top of Nevada Falls and knowing what was accomplished to get there!!! Awesome, rewarding hike. Take your time and just do it... we took many breaks and took us 6 hours roundtrip!
5. Scenic Road Walkway
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 510 reviews
Reviewed By bargingal - Atlanta, United States
My husband and I enjoyed a run on the Scenic Road early one morning during our trip. Wish we had more time to have enjoyed this Road more than once, it is beautiful. Plus a Frank Lloyd Wright house.
6. Fiscalini Ranch Preserve
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 370 reviews
Reviewed By cvcalifornia
What a find! We've been going to Cambria for several years and I don't know how we missed this. BEAUTIFUL trails with whimsical benches. Can't wait to go back. You can meander along the cliff trail and return on the upper trail.....or save one for another day. We brought a little snack and watched the waves. Easy easy walk for any age.
7. Tomales Point Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 101 reviews
Reviewed By tinaNtravel - San Jose, United States
This is a fairly easy trail to hike. It starts at an old Ranch area, which is rather interesting, in itself, to walk around and look inside the buildings. You then walk on the trail with stunning views of the ocean and cliffs almost the entire hike. No worries, there is plenty of land between the trail and the cliff edge. There are herds of elk on both sides of the trail and they are apparently quite used to people – as they didn’t seem the least bit worried, in particular the males with the full antlers. One mail elk was standing on the trail and we had to make a wide circle around it, as it didn’t seem the least bit interested in moving. We also had the luck of seeing a coyote not too far from the trail, which was a nice treat too. Near the end of the trail, it becomes a little more challenging, as the path is mostly soft sand and you need to hike that uphill. But it’s worth the hike to see the views from the top of the hill and all the seabirds on the rocks below. Be sure to bring a mask, as it was crowded the day we were there. Also, bring a jacket, as it could get quite cold against the ocean. Also note that there are no restrooms along the trail. If you arrive and need to go to the restroom, you can walk or drive down to the lower parking lot, downhill to the left of the old Ranch house area.
8. Annie's Canyon Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 45 reviews
Reviewed By davidcD9538ZE - Houston, United States
My family and I headed over for what we had read was a short walk/hike - you park a couple blocks away in a residential area and then start out on what appears to be a very easy trail. About the time you get warmed up - and the first part of the trail could be easily handled by anyone of any age, in any physical condition - you come to a crossroads where you have a decision to make to proceed. If you choose “difficult”, be prepared to climb through a canyon, that is very narrow and very steep in some places. I have relatively short legs, I’m 5’9”, and one time, I had to have someone push me from behind up through one ledge to another. Agree with the other reviewers that this is a great suburban hike, and can be as difficult as you can take.
9. Rubicon Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 109 reviews
Reviewed By TravellingJan - San Carlos, United States
This is the most beautiful trail with gorgeous views of the turquoise water and interesting rocks, etc...We have to do this hike every time we come up to Tahoe. So incredible! And an easy hike too
10. Big Bear Lake
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 660 reviews
Reviewed By harnhnv - Pasadena, United States
A great getaway for Angelinos to be in the mountains and at the same time with a big body of water to enjoy. the lake itself is great for water activities in the summer, and the road around makes a nice biking/running route as well. highly recommended.
