Trailspotting California

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Plan your next outdoor adventure by locating trails on the map above or by selecting them below. Download a  MAP PACK  with ALL trail reviews and navigation for an entire region or subject. Map Packs are completely free, easy to download AND work offline.

California Best Trails

Tap the star rating for the latest reviews of California's best trails. Or scroll down for the best trails for each region of the state.

• Hiking trails 4+ stars    5 stars 
• Coastline trails    4+ stars    5 stars 
• Desert trails    4+ stars    5 stars 
• Lakes trails    4+ stars    5 stars 
• Summit trails 4+ stars    5 stars 
• Waterfall trails    4+ stars    5 stars 


California Regions' Best

A desert landscape with a prominent Joshua tree in the foreground. The Joshua tree has a thick trunk with multiple branches, each adorned with spiky green leaves. The background features a vast expanse of similar Joshua trees scattered across the desert terrain, with rocky hills and mountains under a clear blue sky.
Joshua Tree
   
A snow-covered forest of tall evergreen trees frames a tranquil lake, its glassy surface reflecting a bright blue sky scattered with fluffy white clouds. In the distance, rugged mountains rise above the shoreline, their slopes dusted with winter snow.
Lake Tahoe
A cinder cone, which is a type of volcanic feature. It has a steep, conical shape and a large crater at the summit. The surrounding landscape is barren with sparse vegetation, though some trees are visible in the foreground. The sky is clear with a few clouds, and there are distant mountains in the background.
Lassen Volcanic
   
The iconic Hollywood sign from behind, overlooking the city of Los Angeles. The sign is situated on a hillside with a panoramic view of the cityscape, including various buildings, roads, and a body of water. The sky is filled with dramatic clouds, adding to the visual appeal of the scene.
Los Angeles
A scenic coastal hiking trail with several people walking along it. The trail is situated on a cliffside overlooking a calm, blue ocean. The coastline features rugged cliffs and sparse vegetation, including some cactus plants. The sky is clear and blue, indicating a sunny day.
San Diego
   
The silhouette of trees in the foreground with the iconic Golden Gate Bridge in the background. The bridge is partially obscured by the trees, and the scene is set during sunset, casting a warm, orange glow across the sky.
San Francisco
A stunning landscape of Yosemite Valley in Yosemite National Park, California. The prominent feature in the image is El Capitan, a massive granite monolith on the left side of the image. The valley is lush with dense forests, and the background includes other notable rock formations and mountains under a clear blue sky with scattered clouds.
Yosemite Region

Features

Felton Covered Bridge
Covered Bridges
   
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California Categories

 5 stars    4+ stars    4 stars    3 stars  
 Easy    Moderate    Hard  
 0-3 miles    3-5 miles    5-7 miles    7-10 miles    10+ miles  
 Beaches    Caves    Coastlines    Desert    Fire Towers    Geology    Hot Springs    Lakes    Petroglyphs    Redwoods    Summits    Swimming Holes    Volcanoes    Waterfalls  

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Content provided without warranty of accuracy. Copyright © 2026 Stuart Green all rights reserved.

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