The Hiking Guide for Southern California
San Onofre State Beach is best known for the world-class surfing at Trestles. The surf spots along here begin at the north end with Cottons, then moving southward come Uppers, Middles, Lowers and Church. Lowers is consistently one of the best surf spots, and this place is full of both professional and amateur surfers. [...]
Trestles Beach is world-famous for great surfing, with a series of surf spots. Running from north to south are Cottons, Uppers, Middles, Lowers and Church. These beaches are extremely popular with surfers, and this section of coastline is one of the most unspoiled coastal areas in southern California. This 3.7 mile loop hike takes [...]
The Cristianitos Fault is a major earthquake fault line located less than one mile from the San Onofre nuclear power plant. This hike takes you on a 3.8 mile loop through San Onofre State Beach to the site of the fault line. Along the way, you’ll see the Monterey Formation, which holds most of the [...]
Looking for an easy, family-friendly walk in South OC? The Panhe Nature Trail might be just what you’re looking for. Located near the Cristianitos campground at the San Onofre State Beach, this is a short one mile round trip with markers highlighting the natural beauty of the park. The Panhe Nature Trail begins at the [...]
San Clemente’s Ridgeline Trail is a great little 4.7 mile out-and-back hike along a ridgeline above the city. The trail is suburban and paved, making it a great choice for rainy weather when you don’t want to slog through the mud but you still want to get your heart pumping. And the ocean and mountain [...]
Technically speaking, there is no trail or ridge officially named The Roller Coaster, but if there was, this would be it. This is a great double-track trail with hills that will get your heart pumping. I like to hike this after work most Wednesdays, and enjoy the ocean breezes, the sweeping coastal and mountain views [...]
The San Clemente Beach Trail extends from the Metro Station parking lot at North Beach to Calafia State Beach in the south. It is basically a flat, fairly smooth crushed granite trail that’s shared by walkers, runners, bikers, dogs and strollers. Because it’s a flat out-and-back trail, you can make it as easy or challenging as [...]
Done at a brisk pace (3.5 miles per hour) hiking the Las Ramblas trail makes a great early morning workout. There are some steep hills and sweeping vistas of the coastline from Dana Point to Oceanside, and Santiago Peak and the Santa Anas to the east. The trail follows dirt double track, but the junctions [...]
At 5,689 feet, Santiago Peak -- often referred to locally as Saddleback … more
I've had several people ask me about the rotating images that appear in the … more
Each year on the last weekend of April, a motley crew of hikers assemble in … more
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