Home to some of the most beautiful outdoor spaces in the country, California is a favorite state for the avid hiker or wilderness photographer. Voted one of the most beautiful and fun states in the country, California has an abundance of natural spaces that’ll make outdoor exercising a treat as well as something to remember. So, if you’re an avid hiker, check out the four most scenic hiking spots in California.
Yosemite National Park
One of the most popular national parks in the country, Yosemite has been a favorite hiking spot for many Californians. Located in California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains, Yosemite has some great views of waterfalls and valleys. A moderate 2-mile hike up to Columbia Rock ascends 1,000 feet. Deviation from this path can lead to missed snapshot opportunities with your camera so make sure to stay on the path to capture the beauty, and to stay safe!
Sidenote: If you are in the market for a new phone, visit any of the many AT&T stores in California to check out the camera quality on a new phone and enhance picture-taking on your next hike. Camera quality and portability could really help you in making lifelong memories on a hike at Yosemite… it is too pretty not to snap innumerable pictures.
Runyon Canyon Park
Right in the center of Los Angeles, Runyon Canyon Park is a great hiking spot for anyone ready to shirk big-city vibes for the great outdoors for a couple of hours. Just two blocks from Hollywood Boulevard, this 130-acre park is often ignored by tourists. Mostly locals go there to get exercise, fresh air, and to walk their pets.
Runyon Canyon Park offers multiple different trails, which makes it different from some of these other locations. You can even see scenic views like the Pacific Ocean or Catalina Island.
Redwood National Park
An infamous staple of Northern California, the large redwood trees and deep greenery of the Redwood National Park make it one of the best places to hike in the state. This forest is far away from big cities and other major tourist attractions, meaning you can really immerse yourself in nature. With incredible views of towering redwood trees and animals in their natural habitat, one trail that is particularly popular is known as the Boy Scout Tree Trail in the Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park. It’s a moderate, 5.3-mile long trail that can lead you to a 2,000-year-old double redwood tree and even the beautiful Fern Falls.
Joshua Tree National Park
Located in the Mojave Desert, Joshua Tree National Park has great trails that every avid hiker should check out. The Lost Palms Oasis and 49 Palms Oasis trails are two in particular that show the rugged and diverse nature of this desert-bound park. The Lost Palms Oasis trail is a 7.2-mile long trail that takes hikers through a palm-covered canyon. The 49 Palms Oasis trail is only 3 miles long, however, its 300-foot slow incline makes it a feat for your average hiker.
Aside from these two trails, Joshua Tree National Park is known for the tree by which it’s eponymously named as well as for its many rare plant species that call this desert park home. This park has 44 rare species of plant existing within its parameters.
Hiking can be a fun way to get the daily exercise you need without being stuck in a boring gym. With scenic views that’ll make the entire experience more enjoyable for you, trying a new hiking trail can help you get in your daily steps and see amazing landscapes. Some states are blessed with plentiful hiking trails and parks that make a Saturday hike a real treat!
