California
Looking for the best chillin in California? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around California. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.
Top Chillin Spots in and near California
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Mount Hamilton, California
Stargaze at Lick Observatory
3.8Hop on Road 130 heading out of San Jose and follow the winding two lane road up, up, up to to the top of Mt. Hamilton and the Lick Observatory. There are lots of deer, wild turkey, and pigs in the area. If you are lucky you will get to see a herd of deer grazing in a meadow. But be careful that y...Read more -
Lagunitas, California
Swim at the Inkwells
4.5These natural swimming holes are filled with water flowing from Kent Lake, so they're usually pretty refreshing. And by refreshing, we mean cold. We know this first-hand by testing the pools in the winter months. Let's just say if you can stay in for more than 5 seconds, you're a hero. If you jum...Read more -
Los Angeles, California
Hollywood Sign via Brush Canyon Trail
4.65.04 mi / 1155 ft gainGetting to the parking lot near the trailhead and finding an open space can seem like the most daunting part of this whole excursion. There are free parking lots along the road to the trailhead, so keep an eye out. There are also several ways to get to the trailhead from other parking areas; I ad...Read more -
San Diego County, California
Photograph Scripp's Pier
4.9Parking is easy, there are tons of random street you can park on just a little walk away. Be sure to arrive on scene at least an hour before sunset. Make sure to look up the sunset time and the weather forecast. Clouds will make for the most dramatic images with the most color from the sunset. Ex...Read more -
Malibu, California
Jim Morrison Cave
3.21.2 mi / 600 ft gainNote: Jim Morrison Cave is closed indefinitely. The bright colors of the Jim Morrison Cave are something to not be missed, and is appreciated by people of all ages. The cave also provides a beautiful outlook of the Malibu canyon, Malibu State Park and the Pacific Ocean. There is a ton of rock ho...Read more -
San Diego, California
Bonfire at Fiesta Island
4.7This island offers scenic views of of mission bay and if you're lucky, you can catch fireworks from Sea World. The bonfire rings are stationed around the island, so make sure you get there early to stake yours out, especially if you're headed there on the weekend. Dogs are allowed off leash at th...Read more -
Malibu, California
El Matador Beach
4.6There's something magical about this strip of beach and it never fails to deliver at sunset. Lined with strange and jagged rock formations/caves, there are endless opportunities for finding unique compositions and new perspectives. Although it's become quite the popular spot for photographers and...Read more -
San Francisco, California
Sutro Baths Ruins
4.5Whether you simply look down on the ruins from the [conveniently located] parking lot above, or choose to walk down the stairs and explore, you will be greeted with stunning views of the Baths, and the Pacific Ocean stretching infinitely beyond. The highlight of any trip to the Sutro Baths is ...Read more -
Santa Cruz, California
Explore Panther Beach
4.5Panther Beach's white sand, clear water, and interesting rock formations make it one of the most stunning beaches along this stretch of CA1. But this is a hidden gem for a reason - there are no signs along CA1 for Panther Beach. You need to keep you eyes peeled for cars parked along the side of t...Read more -
Ojai, California
Matilija Falls
5.08.6 mi / 0 ft gainNote: This trail is temporarily closed. For more updates, please visit the Forest Service website for more updates. ...If you've read most of my blogs, you'll probably notice I have a fascination for waterfalls! I've done this hike multiple times, but it wasn't until this day where I saw these ...Read more -
Tuolumne County, California
Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias
4.22.67 mi / 653 ft gainThe Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias is one of three sequoia groves in Yosemite National Park. This particular grove has gorgeous forest scenery and provides great solitude compared to the crowded Yosemite Valley. The trail used to be an old road offering a wide path with a gradual descent, makin...Read more -
San Diego, California
Black's Beach via the Ho Chi Minh Trail
4.30.61 mi / 259 ft gainFinding the actual trail is 80% of the adventure. Once you turn down La Jolla Farms Road you will follow it for about 3/4 of a mile and there won't be anything too apparent that you are there, except a few cars parked along the street. Make sure to plug in the directions from the map so you know ...Read more -
Rancho Palos Verdes, California
Pelican Cove
0.38 mi / 95 ft gainGetting There Coming from San Pedro, make a U-turn at the Hawthorne Boulevard stoplight onto Palos Verdes Drive South. From here, you can access the parking lot for Pelican Cove, where you'll get a 120° view of the ocean. It might be tempting to take in the sunset from the car, but you should def...Read more -
San Francisco, California
Swing at Billy Goat Hill
3.5Billy Goat Hill Park is located in the Glen Park neighborhood of San Francisco. The park has street parking at the top of the park on Beacon Street or at the base of the park on Ladley Street. Getting to the swing is only a short walk up or down the stairs that run through the middle of the park....Read more -
Kyburz, California
Backpack to Smith Lake, Desolation Wilderness
5.05.6 mi / 1750 ft gainTo get to the Twin Lakes Trailhead from the Bay Area/Sacramento, head east on HWY 50 past Kyburz for 4 miles until you see the left-hand turnoff for Wrights Road. If coming westbound on HWY 50, this will be a right-hand turn 5 miles past Strawberry. Follow this paved road for 8 miles (watch for p...Read more -
Laguna Beach, California
Crystal Cove Loop Trail
4.04.05 mi / 676 ft gainThe trail begins and ends at the El Moro Visitor Center. Parking requires either a $15 day use parking pass, which is available in the visitor center. This hike we are focusing on is called the Difficult Loop Trail and it is the third most difficult trail the canyon offers. You take Moro Canyon,...Read more