It is said — by southern Californians – that SoCal is one of the best places to live if you love the outdoors. In one day, weather permitting, you can surf in the morning and snowboard in the afternoon. Or sunbathe and build a snowman, if that’s more your thing.
California is an outdoors enthusiast’s dream. Not only does it have the waves and the slopes, it also has the trails. Hiking trails, that is.
SoCal’s desert landscape offers a variety of trails that accommodate all levels of athleticism and stamina. Crystal Cove State Park in Laguna Beach offers 17 miles of hiking with trails categorized from easy to strenuous. It’s shortest trail – the moderate one – is just under a three-mile trek while it’s strenuous trail is also its longest, topping off at 8.97 miles. Depending on the trail, hikers will enjoy ocean panoramas or mountain vistas.
Farther south, in San Diego County’s city of Poway, Mount Woodson gained popularity due to the humorous photographs hikers posted on Facebook and
Instagram of themselves perched on its cleverly-named peak, Potato Chip Rock. The hike itself is not for the faint of heart; it is approximately four hours and just more than six miles long, but the photo-ops at the end of the trail are worth the trek for most hikers. There does tend to be a wait at the peak as there are generally hikers waiting for their photo-op on Potato Chip Rock itself.
It is always recommended you wear proper hiking attire and shoes and bring plenty of water. Southern California is a desert and temperatures soar easily into the triple digits. Hiking earlier in the mornings or in the cooler months are easy ways to beat the heat.
Read This Next
Mountains for the Novice Climber
Adventure
Aug 26, 2014#TrazeeTravel
Insta FeedDestinations / North America
Jan 21, 2025Tucson, Arizona, Launches New Astro Trail
Tucson, Arizona, just launched a new Astro Trail, highlighting some of the best spots in and around the area for stargazing. The trail, now available as a web app and printed guide, takes you to all of the dark sky-related stops in Tucson, including world-class astronomy institutes like Kitt Peak National Observatory and Richard F. Caris Mirror Lab, where the largest telescope lenses in the world are made.
Sponsored Content
Discover Greece’s Tower Towns: A Journey Through History
Greece's tower towns offer a captivating blend of history, architecture and stunning landscapes that make them perfect for curious travelers. These towns, particularly found in the Mani region of the Peloponnese, are defined by stone towers built during the medieval period. Constructed for both defense and as symbols of family pride, the towers stand as a testament to the region's turbulent history and its residents’ resilience.
Hotel
Jan 20, 2025Hard Rock Brand Introduces New Credit Card
If you never miss the chance to stay at a Hard Rock property during your travels, you’re likely a member of the Unity by Hard Rock loyalty program — and, if so, you need to be sure you’ve signed up for the recently launched Unity by Hard Rock Mastercard credit card.
Hotel
Jan 20, 2025Lunar New Year Giveaway from Walker Hotels, Asian American Art Alliance
The Lunar New Year takes place Jan. 29. To celebrate, Walker Hotels, offering boutique properties in both Greenwich Village and Tribeca, and Asian American Art Alliance, dedicated to strengthening Asian American artists and cultural groups, will ring in Year of the Snake with a red envelope giveaway for chances to win prizes including up to $500 in cash and a free hotel stay.
Sponsored Content
Seoul: Your Favorite Worldwide City
Seoul is the place for your next bleisure destination.
Destinations / Europe
Jan 17, 2025Add Sweden to Your 2025 Bucket List
Considering a trip to Sweden later this year? There are plenty of reasons to do so, including some can’t-miss events, new attraction openings and new hotel openings.
ShareThis