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Salinas, California

Looking for the best hiking in Salinas? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Salinas. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Hiking Spots in and near Salinas

  • Capitola, California

    Camp at New Brighton Campground

    / 0 ft gain
    This Capitola camping spot is the place to be if you're looking to do a variety of activities in a variety of landscapes. You can swim, fish, or explore the nearby forest of Monterey Pine and coastal Oak. In the evening, walk into Capitola for live music and great fish tacos.  The S.S. Palo Alto,...
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  • Paicines, California

    Balconies Cave Trail

    2.63 mi / 617 ft gain
    Balconies Cave Trail is an out-and-back trail where you may see wildflowers located near Paicines, California.
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  • Paicines, California

    Hike the Juniper Canyon, High Peaks, Tunnel Trail Loop in Pinnacles NP

    5.0
    4.3 mi / 1200 ft gain
    Pinnacles National Park is located just over two hours outside of San Francisco (depending on the traffic). It was designated the 59th national park in 2013 and while it is small it offers beautiful views and unique wildlife viewing. Keep an eye out for California condors on this hike! This trail...
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  • Soquel, California

    Land of Medicine Buddha Loop

    4.5
    5.74 mi / 915 ft gain
    Near the retreat, there is a short trail called "Eight Verses Pilgrimage Trail" providing people with the opportunity to meditate on thought transformation in a peaceful and picturesque outdoor setting. From there, a beautiful 6 mile loop will take you up to the top of the ridge and then back aro...
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  • San Benito County, California

    Explore Pinnacles National Park

    4.6
    It’s hard to believe how many people don’t know about this place, which was newly designated as a National Park in January 2013. Pinnacles National Park is hidden just south of San Jose in the Gabilan Mountains, and is a short drive for anyone living in the Bay Area.With beautiful rock spires pie...
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  • Gilroy, California

    Redfern Pond via Hunting Hollow

    5.0
    7 mi / 1263 ft gain
    Henry W. Coe State Park, northern California's largest, provides outdoor enthusiasts with over 89,000 acres of land to explore, as well as 22,000 acres of designated wilderness area. With all of this space, the outdoor adventures are seemingly endless. We recommend a multi-day backpacking trip to...
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  • Morgan Hill, California

    Uvas Canyon Waterfall Hike

    4.0
    1.5 mi
    Uvas Canyon offers up to 6-miles of hiking trails, which includes a 1.5 mile loop, which runs along Swanson Creek and passes many of the park's waterfalls. To take short loop, head North out of the parking lot to the Swanson Creek Trail. Once you find Swanson Creek Trail, you'll be on the Waterfa...
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  • Paicines, California

    Hike the Old Pinnacle Trail in Pinnacles National Park

    5.0
    9 mi / 2000 ft gain
    Start at the Old Pinnacles Trailhead and embark on a roughly 9 mile long adventure surrounded by amazing geological rock formations and natural landscapes. Bask in the peace of nature... meander through meadows alongside the West Fork of Chalone Creek and into Old Pinnacles. Continuing on at the ...
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  • Paicines, California

    Hike the High Peaks & Balconies Cave Loop

    5.0
    8.4 mi / 1540 ft gain
    This hike can begin at Old Pinnacles Trailhead (East Entrance) or Chaparral Trailhead (West Entrance) and can be hiked in either direction. This description is from Old Pinnacles Trailhead, hiking clockwise, which gets the most demanding part of the hike done first. From Old Pinnacles Trailhead w...
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  • Paicines, California

    Hike to Bear Gulch Reservoir in Pinnacles National Park

    3.5
    1.5 mi / 275 ft gain
    Start the hike from the Bear Gulch Trail Parking lot.  While pulling in, the trail head is on the left.  The Trail is marked Reservoir, Caves, and High Peaks.  Continue down the trail until faced with a junction.  Make sure to admire rock formations while hiking!At the junction take the Bear Gulc...
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  • Big Sur, California

    Hike the Creamery Meadow Trail to Molera Beach

    2 mi
    Entrance to the parking lot is $10 per car, and once you get in be sure to use the restroom before you head for the trail, since you will likely spend a good amount of time out there.Look for the sign that says Creamery Meadow Trail. You'll know it's right when the very first thing you'll need to...
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  • Big Sur, California

    Hike the East Molera Trail

    3.2 mi / 1390 ft gain
    Housed in Andrew Molera State Park, the East Molera Trail is easily accessible from Highway 1 with parking and restrooms available to hikers. A $10.00 entry fee is required but also provides entrance to Pfieffer Big Sur State Park just a few miles down the road.The trail head is located east of t...
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  • Big Sur, California

    Hike the Andrew Molera State Park Loop

    4.5
    8.8 mi / 1100 ft gain
    The loops starts at the Andrew Molera State Park parking lot (4.5 miles north of the entrance to Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park along Highway 1). Begin by crossing the Big Sur River using the seasonal bridge. If the bridge has been removed, you will need to cross the water by foot. Usually the water...
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  • Big Sur, California

    Camp at Andrew Molera State Park

    4.5
    1 mi
    Andrew Molera is about 27 miles south of Carmel and one of the first State Parks you'll hit heading down the coast. There will be signs for the Park as you approach and the main parking lot is only a couple hundred yards from Hwy 1. There are a number of hiking trails and activities to do around ...
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  • Big Sur, California

    Camp at Ventana Campground, Big Sur

    4.6
    This campground is a gem when it comes to Big Sur camping, book here. Each site includes a parking spot, a campfire ring with grill, a picnic table, and plenty of space for 1-2 tents. There are multiple immaculate restroom facilities with showers, clean trash enclosures (emptied and sanitized dai...
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  • Paicines, California

    Camp in Pinnacles National Park

    4.0
    / 1819 ft gain
    Pinnacles Campground is accessible from the east side of the park, and you generally lose cell service about 20 minutes before the park entrance. The campground offers tent camping, group camping, and a handful of RV sites. The tent and group sites have individual picnic tables and fire rings, an...
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