All "Hikes" Stories in Southern CA
Planet of the Oaks
Let us count the number of oak tree species in the Volcan Mountain Wilderness Preserve near Julian: coast, scrub, canyon, black, and Engelmann. Five! The preserve’s Five Oaks Trail is a 3.2-mile hike that boasts all five.
ViewArrowhead Ahead
Deciduous black oaks and Fremont cottonwoods line the Sawmill Road Loop Trail near Lake Arrowhead, making it one of the best places in SoCal for a seasonal kaleidoscope of changing leaves.
ViewRocky Picture Show
Suicide Rock near Idyllwild is a SoCal hot spot for changing colors in the fall, and a great workout as well. The 6.3-mile out-and-back hike rewards with autumn yellows and sweeping views.
ViewCrunch Time
This 6.8-mile (round-trip) loop in northern Griffith Park is supernaturally enticing: four peaks, panoramic views, and ... ghosts.
ViewWelcome to Mr. Cobb's Haunted Forest
The ruins can be explored on an easy 1.5-mile (round-trip) loop trail. Hike it close to dusk for maximum creepiness (just make sure you're out by dusk, when the park closes).
ViewHiking with the Shadow People
The Thompson Creek Trail in Claremont seems so benign. And it is, until you start encountering weird noises, “shadow people,” or bleeding trees! Test your bravery on the 5.6-mile (round-trip) trail.
ViewJoshua Tree's Secret Aerie
You won’t find Eagle Cliff Mine on the official Joshua Tree National Park map—which is part of the appeal of this challenging 4.6-mile (round-trip) out-and-back trek.
ViewMr. Beek's Mountain Dream
Beek’s Place in the Santa Ana Mountains is one of those great California shrines to faded dreams, and well worth the thigh-burning 10.5-mile (round-trip) out-and-back hike to get there.
ViewOld Tom's Cabin
The 1.5-mile hike to Vincent’s Cabin provides vast mountain views and dense forest shade—and a chance to visit an odd bit of SoCal history surrounding the man who was Tom Vincent.
ViewFull Moon, 90049
City lights and ocean views: Brentwood’s dog-friendly, 7.4-mile (round-trip) Westridge Fire Road trail offers both, no headlamp required. The full moon is bright enough to light up this exposed trail on your return trip.
ViewFamous Potato
On Potato Mountain, you get panoramic views, a great workout, and ... potatoes! The 4.4-mile trail through the foothills of the San Gabriels climbs gradually to the summit of Potato Mountain.
ViewOC Astronomy 101
A guided full-moon hike of the Mesa Trail loop in Black Star Canyon Wilderness offers access to an area only open to guided tours, safety in numbers, a nifty leg workout, and ... astronomy lessons!
ViewStone Cold Escondido
Escondido is Spanish for “hidden,” but its adventurous ales and tasty trails are right out in the open. It’s home to the not-so-secret Stone Brewing and a hike that’s just a stone’s throw away.
ViewI'll Have a Double!
Get the best view and best brew of “San Parkos” on a 4.5-mile out-and-back summit trek to Double Peak Park, which looms above North County, followed by a tasting flight at Double Peak Brewery.
ViewBeach to Brew Times 2
Nothing represents North County San Diego better than a walk on the beach and a stop at a local brewery—or two.
ViewCaves, Condors, Camping
You’re gonna need a flashlight for this hike, and not because it’s happening at night. Check out a truly dark part of the park by visiting Bear Gulch Cave in Pinnacles National Park.
ViewBag North Chalone Peak
For the pinnacle view of Pinnacles National Park, you’ve got to hike to North Chalone Peak, the tallest in the park, offering great scenery and the possibility of seeing the California condor.
ViewWest Side Story
The west side of Pinnacles National Park feels a bit more rugged, and has fewer people. And it has some of the park’s premier trails and sites, including Juniper Canyon and Balconies Cave.
ViewUNESCO, You Know!
It's hard to be #1 when you live in LA. But Hollyhock House achieved that status as the first LA landmark designated a World Heritage Site. See it on an urban tour of LA’s architecture and public art scene, including a Frank Lloyd Wright–themed walk through Barnsdall Art Park.
ViewBrea Beckoning
The art-centric town of Brea goes beyond museum walls with an “Art in Public Places” program featuring 183+ outdoor sculptures. Amid these treasures, you’ll find the 8-piece sculpt
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The 2025 Hiking Calendar Is Here!
Ready to make hiking part of your New Year’s wellness plan? Get the all-new 2025 Hiking Calendar courtesy of Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST).
Get the 2025 POST Hiking Calendar
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