Top Things to do in California
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What to do and see in California, United States: The Best Canyons
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. Little Petroglyph Canyon
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 43 reviews
Cosos Mountains canyon containing rock paintings that pre-date Native Americans.
Reviewed By CRG48 - Berkeley, United States
Just came back from our tour into the canyon and cannot praise the tour guides enough. Bob, Libby, and 3 other guides lead our band of 25 or so folks into the canyon for an absolutely breathtaking experience. There are hundreds of incredibly beautiful petroglyphs to be seen along the mile and half canyon. It is definitely a very special experience I highly recommend. The trek is on sandy ground with many rocks under foot in places. The guides managed our group which had varying degrees of agility in a thoughtful and careful manner. Some of us continued the full length of the canyon which means scrambling over two rock "water falls" and with Bob's direction, it was all managed with good humor and safely. Others chose to stay in the first part of the canyon and still saw hundreds of spectacular petroglyphs. Many thanks to you terrific volunteer guides and the museum for allowing us to see the Western Hemisphere's largest collection of prehistoric petroglyphs in such a pristine, quiet and beautiful setting.
2. Fern Canyon
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 294 reviews
This secluded canyon, home to many ferns, makes for an interesting hike.
Reviewed By L6192OLmichelleb
An easy short walk through a lush , peaceful fern lined canyon . High walls . Very unique .Nothing but green ! Your feet will get a little wet. Hard to believe it’s right next to sandy Golds beach , which is also beautiful .
3. Palm Canyon
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 221 reviews
Reviewed By WireWrapGems2 - Tucson, United States
If you are in a hurry, you can see Palm Canyon from the parking area. There is a little gift shop in the parking lot next to the trail head. Hiking down into the canyon is fun too, but the trail is a little steep, so wear good walking or hiking shoes.
4. Agua Caliente Indian Canyons
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 529 reviews
Considered sacred to the Cahuilla Indians and of historical importance to scientists and nature lovers, these canyons provide a range of outdoor recreational activities for visitors.
Reviewed By craigsearle - Ottawa, Canada
For an incredible desert experience, visit the Agua Caliente Indian Canyons -- especially Murray Canyon, Palm Canyon and Andreas Canyon. Great views and wonderful hiking
5. Lone Pine Creek
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 36 reviews
Small, comfortable campground site located past the rock formations in the Alabama Hills.
Reviewed By tlK9742XM - San Diego, United States
If you’re passing through Lone Pine or staying around for a while it’s worth your time to take a drive on Whitney portal drive up to the top of the hill. you’ll see a beautiful waterfall, lovely trails ,and just awesome breathtaking scenery really. it’s not gonna take you a lot of time to make the trip ...linger as long as you want or just take the drive and head back down. really awesome views and beautiful scenery.
6. Coyote Canyon
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 45 reviews
Popular day hiking area for desert lovers.
Reviewed By snwshrddr - Los Angeles, United States
Coyote Canyon (and the road leading to it) is a hidden gem of #SuperBloom. My husband and I took our dog (a large breed) on our Super Bloom Trip in the 3rd weekend of March 2019. It was far better than Anza Borrego Desert State Park. Too many people, too many dogs and not enough wildflowers to boot. You will find gorgeous Super Bloom by the long stretch of road to Coyote Canyon entrance area. Each field seemed to have different types of wildflowers and no poppies. I found it was interesting. They were stunning regardless Once you enter Coyote Canyon on drive into the dirt road you are going to see another sets of wildflowers and cactus blooms. Be careful when you try to get close to the flower patches. There were a few balls of cactus rolling about. I got one of those stuck on the seam of my boot (I know! I thought I was protected.????) I carefully try to remove it by hand. Bad move. I got my finger tip stung bad. That little thorny thing was evil! Well, all that is now a good memory. Happy trail! It was loads of fun!!
7. Golden Canyon
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 611 reviews
These fan-shaped mountains created by the deposits of millions of years of flash floods are a good place for day hikes.
Reviewed By izzygirl417 - Chicago, United States
We hiked Golden Canyon just to see more of the NP, it was a rather quick and easy hike, we actually did it in regular shoes, and clothing. Definately bring some water of course because this is Death Valley. Soak in the Golden colors of the rocks, such a pretty hike.
8. Twenty Mule Team Canyon
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 342 reviews
A tortuous 2.8 mile road riddled with tunnels - a legacy from years of Borax prospecting.
Reviewed By Philly413 - Newmarket, Canada
This is a small side unpaved road where the 20 mule team used to bring borax. So for laundry fans now you know why it’s called 20 mule team borax, and for Star Wars fans, Tatooine. It’s an interesting drive that can be done in a car no problem.
9. Titus Canyon
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 455 reviews
Perhaps the most memorable thing about this Death Valley canyon is the trip you'll take to it.
Reviewed By V6350LQrichardl - Cook, United States
Was one of, if not the best, dual-sport / adventure motorcycle rides I have ever done. Simply spectacular. Perfect for moderately skilled adventure motorcyclists, though may be a bit too much for a novice on a heavy bike. Would probably be fine for a novice on a light enduro, though note National Park rules restrict motorcycles to street legal bikes I think, which is good because it limits traffic. Would be no problem in any stock high clearance 4X4, though longbed pickups may not be able to get around some of the tight turns. On a Sunday at noon, I rode the whole trail and saw only one other party, a couple in a jeep, all of which contributed awesomely to the sense of isolation and wonder. The ascent from the east is unremarkable, and one may think, "What's the big deal?", but then you crest a couple passes and you are blessed with amazing views down into the narrow valley falls that away from you. Descending into it on narrow steep switchbacks through incredible, steep rock formations was so fun and visually stimulating. Every 30 seconds, you are saying, "Holy S***!" Ghost Town! Petroglyphs! After a couple miles of steep descent, one has the sense that you are about to emerge out of the valley, but you would be wrong! The valley floor, essentially a large dry riverbed extends another several miles, narrowing dramatically. Each new turn provides another seemingly even better view than the one just before. Finally, you get dumped out at the end of the canyon. I want to do it again!
10. Runyon Canyon Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,219 reviews
Located off Mulholland Drive in the Hollywood Hills, this park is especially loved by dog-lovers since they can hike with their dogs without a leash.
Reviewed By PeccatorImpius - Hawthorne, United States
Runyon Canyon is convenient to get to and offers great views of the city. It is quite popular, so you will not be alone on this hike. You can start at the top of the canyon off of Mulholland Drive, but I like to start from the bottom at the Vista Gate, because there is a steep hill up to the gate before you even enter the park. I also like to do the Hero's Trail, which is the most difficult and steep of the hikes available in the park. If you enter through the Vista Gate, as you go up the road past the water fountain, take the first left after the interior gate and you will be on the Hero's Trail. You can also just follow the road up and back to stay on pavement the whole time. If you go on a day after it rains, you can see beautiful views of Catalina Island and the Pacific Ocean, as well as of the whole city. It is a beautiful spot and a place to get some great exercise hiking some steep hills. (photos taken on various hikes over the years)
