Haunted Hikes

Who ghosts there?! You do, if you’re brave enough. Here are three haunting hikes to put you in the Halloween spirit. Bonus: They’re filled with boo-tiful views, too.

Week: 10.27.2016
Regions: Southern CA

Be-Witching Forest

Hiking in Escondido's Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve in San Diego County

Hike Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve in Escondido
Though the name is very Lord of the Rings, you won’t find Legolas in Escondido’s Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve, but you might see a ghostly spirit on this 3.5-mile (round-trip) hike.
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Phantom of Brand Park

Hiking in Brand Park in Los Angeles California

Culture. Beauty. Paranormal activity. Just your standard expectations when you visit Brand Park in Glendale. The 31-acre spot located at the base of the Verdugo Mountains is not only one of the most unique parks in Los Angeles, it’s also one of the most storied.
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Haunted in Huntington

Hiking at Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve in Huntington Beach, Orange County, Southern California

How about a creepy coastal crawl this Halloween? The 1,449-acre Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve in Huntington Beach is the largest saltwater marsh between Monterey Bay and Tijuana, a paradise for pelicans and plovers. Release your inner ghostbuster on a 3.4-mile (round-trip) hike
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Trending Stories NorCal

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  1. Sunnyvale and Salty

    For up-close bird watching, it’s hard to beat a walk along the San Francisco Bay. This 5-mile loop on the Sunnyvale coast is a favorite of local wildlife photographers.

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  2. A man takes a break at a temple spot on a hike at Dragon Mountain in Milptas

    Dragon Quest

    The newly reopened, 4-mile out-and-back hike at Dragon Mountain in Milpitas mixes the physical with the spiritual for a serene hiking experience.

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  3. Mike Zakowski (aka Mike the Baker) standing in front of his wood-fire oven at the Sonoma Valley Farmers' Market

    NEW! Walkin' and Talkin': Break Bread, Go On a Panoramic Hike

    What’s a world-traveling, medal-winning baker’s favorite local hike? Weekend Sherpa co-founder Brad Day caught up with Mike Zakowski (aka Mike the Baker) at Sonoma’s Friday farmers' market, where his wood-fired loaves draw loyal crowds. Between bites of fresh-baked bread, they talk baking, travel, and why Sonoma's Overlook Trail is one of his favorite quick, panoramic hikes.

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  4. Hidden Botanical Garden

    Forget a dozen roses. Give your love a botanical garden. Hidden on the western slope of Sonoma Valley’s Mayacamas Mountains, Sonoma Botanical Garden has one of the Bay Area’s best displays of Asian flora—and it’s a brilliant place for a quiet picnic and some calming contemplations.

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Trending Stories SoCal

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  1. People on ice learning to curl at Hollywood Curling

    You Go, Curl!

    Hollywood Curling’s Learn to Curl classes make the perfect setting for newcomers. Take the ice, and friendly curling instructors will teach you the basics.

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  2. Sponsored

    Warm Up to Winter in Reno Tahoe

    2026 is just getting started, but there’s one place already rising to the top as the best for adventure and relaxation: Reno Tahoe. The awe—and ahhhs—begin as soon as you arrive. G

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  3. Fall for These Falls

    Chase waterfalls in Redding’s Whiskeytown National Recreation Area. This 42,000 acres of wilderness park is home to four waterfalls. Hike to the tallest, the three-tiered, 220-foot Whiskeytown Falls.

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  4. Oh Snow Nice

    Live in California long enough, and you’ll come to know the rite of passage called “going to the snow”–when we ditch our fair-weather cities and towns in search of winter weather. Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks deliver a winter wonderland worth a visit if there’s been a good dose of snow.

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