The Hiking Guide for Southern California
Hiking in the snow? Many people hang up their boots during winter. But with a little equipment, you can hike even in deep snow. How? Snowshoeing! I was new to snowshoeing, and not really sure what it would be like. I’ve gone downhill skiing and snowboarding. Is there a learning curve? The short answer is [...]
Waterfalls in Malibu? You bet! In fact, the multi-tiered, 150 foot Escondido Falls are the highest waterfalls in the Santa Monica Mountains. This is an easy hike through oak-lined Escondido Canyon, just off Pacific Coast Highway in the middle of Malibu. There are a few of things you should know before you hike to Escondido [...]
Bee Rock juts above the western mountainside of Griffith Park. The sandstone outcrop is pocked with holes, and with the shape, it looks a bit like a beehive. This is a short hike with over 600 ft of total vertical gain, and a fascinating swing through the Old Los Angeles Zoo. While the old zoo [...]
Peters Canyon Regional Park is centrally located in the city of Orange, near foothills of Tustin and Irvine. Because it’s located smack dab in the middle of Orange County, and because it actually has some decent hills with views extending to the coast, Peters Canyon is one of the more popular places to hike in OC. [...]
Southern California is blessed with an abundance of wonderful trails to explore, and an equal abundance of hikers who share their experiences on a hiking blog. Not only does this make finding new trails easier, but it often gives you better insight on the trails, and sometimes with an entertaining story thrown in, to boot! [...]
Last year during the holidays, Joan and I visited my mom and her husband in San Francisco. While the city of San Francisco is great for walking, I was surprised how easy it is to find a wilderness experience nearby. I have not hiked much in the Bay Area, so I put out a call [...]
Small Peak is the name my friend John gave this knoll in the foothills of the Cleveland National Forest behind Orange County’s Robinson Ranch. This hike is a 3 mile out-and-back route that climbs up to this little peak, which in spite of its name, has some big views over much of Orange County. At [...]
Batiquitos Lagoon in north San Diego County is one of the few remaining tidal wetlands on the southern coast of the United States. Located between Carlsbad and Encinitas, the lagoon is managed as a wildlife preserve by the California Department of Fish and Game. This lagoon is home to several protected nesting areas and water [...]
One of the challenges of winter is that during the week, it’s already dark outside when I leave the office. I don’t mind hiking in the dark, but many people aren’t comfortable hiking in the wilderness at night, and most of the regional trails are officially closed from sundown to sunrise. The Salt Creek Trail [...]
When you think of hiking in Orange County, you don’t usually envision dramatic waterfalls. But during the spring, there are a number of wonderful seasonal waterfalls that are just a hike away. One of my personal favorites is Chiquito Falls. This hike is a 9 mile out-and-back route with nearly 3,000′ of vertical elevation gain. [...]
Yosemite is one of my favorite places on earth. I've backpacked and hiked … more
Earlier this year I married one of my John Muir Trail hiking partners. … more
Technically speaking, there is no trail or ridge officially named The … more
Lastest Comments