All "Hikes" Stories in Southern CA
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Waterfalls, Wine, Wanderlust: Willamette Valley
Oregon’s lush and lovely Willamette Valley is home to the McKenzie River, an outdoor adventurer’s paradise with its crystalline waters and surrounding waterfall hikes. Oh, and the wine … it “reigns and pours” world-famous pinots here.
View Spidey Senses
Spin a hiking web on a 1-mile out-and-back up Tarantula Hill, followed by a 1-mile DIY loop through Conejo Valley Botanic Garden, then refresh with a local brew at Tarantula Brewing in Thousand Oaks.
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Central Oregon: Center of Adventure
It's good to be the center of it all—and that's especially true in Central Oregon, home to the craft beer capital of the nation, the Deschutes River, and more adventure trails than you can dream of.
View Shadow Lands
Shadow Hills near Burbank is home to a hidden hike with magnificent views of the Verdugo Mountains. Follow it up with craft brews at Lincoln Beer Compay.
ViewBewitching Buzzard
A quiet hike in the San Jose Hills provides the setting for a fantastic 4.25-mile out-and-back adventure to 1,345-foot Buzzard Peak, where 360-degree views await.
ViewHidden Horsethief + Highpoint Brewing
Hike a 2.5-mile loop at hidden Horesethief Canyon Park in San Dimas, then head for some beers at nearby Highpoint Brewing.
ViewLong Zen Hike, then Beer
Hike + Beers: Beautiful! The Michael D. Antonovich Trail is a gentle 7.6-mile out-and-back canyon adventure in San Dimas. Followed by more bliss at Arrow Lodge Brewing.
ViewApple of Your Eye
That fall feeling is definitely in the air and on display at the Oak Glen Preserve. Apple orchards and colorful leaves are a bonus, as are the apple cider donuts and slushies you can enjoy post-hike.
ViewBig Bear Hug
Grays Peak in Big Bear is fall-loaded with vibrant colors. This 6.8-mile (round-trip) hike in the San Bernardino National Forest provides all the fall feels, with crisp mountain air and beautiful churning leaves.
ViewVolcan High Five!
The moderate 5.5-mile round-trip Volcan Mountain/Five Oaks loop hike in the Volcan Mountain Wilderness Preserve near Julian transports you from lush farmland to a summit with panoramic views. And the hard cider post-hike bonus...
ViewBommer Beauty
This 4.6-mile out-and-back hike in Orange County's Bommer Canyon Open Space Preserve has beautiful vistas and a Mediterranean-type ecosystem.
ViewClarity in Claremont
The majority of Claremont Hills Wilderness Park is inaccessible, rugged terrain but there’s a 4.9-mile moderate loop that’s well-maintained and feels gloriously far away, despite being close to the city.
ViewSublime in Sycamore
The 3.5-mile round-trip Sycamore Canyon loop is just minutes from bustling Riverside yet feels like a journey through the wilderness of an Old West movie.
ViewElephant in the Open Space
Elephant Hill Open Space, a less-traveled, 20-acre public green space, can be hiked via a 2-mile DIY urban adventure that includes a leg-busting workout and elephant-size views.
ViewFun on Fiji
Fiji Hill adjacent to Occidental College makes a great workout with nice cityscape vistas on this 2-mile route in Eagle Rock.
ViewSecluded Royale
Panoramic coastal views and a killer leg workout combine on this 2.7-mile (round-trip) out-and-back hike to secluded Coast Royale Beach in Orange County
ViewBay Watch
Hike among six habitats within Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve: open water, mudflat, saltmarsh, upland, riparian, and freshwater marsh, all of which have their own thriving communities of flora and fauna.
ViewGive Me El Moro
The backcountry trails at Crystal Cove State Park all lead to the coast—ensuring you get your sea-nery, and some bonus time on the beach. This 2.8-mile hike covers the higlights with glorious coastal views and a beach detour.
ViewBorder Field State Park
Border Field State Park is the southernmost point in California as well as one of the last beautiful undeveloped coastlines in the state. Visit this natural refuge for a 4.5-mile hike featuring important history and wildlife habitats, plus stunning SoCal beach scenery.
ViewBluffing Good!
Pristine coastline, beautiful beaches, unique geological history, and picturesque sandstone cliffs with limited foot traffic in San Diego County? We promise we aren’t bluffing! Head to San Onofre State Beach and the 5-mile San Onofre Bluffs Loop Trail.
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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).
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