When you’re a beginner hiker, the last thing you want is a long trail that will leave you huffing and puffing as you head up a steep incline. So it’s a good thing Southern California is packed with tons of picturesque hikes that are perfect for beginners. And the best part? These hiking trails are short and sweet without compromising on scenery. Here are eight of our favorite trails that any beginning hiker will love. Do you have a favorite trail on this list?
- Oak Glen Preserve
googlemaps/A Holzhauser
Wildlands Conservancy Tucked inside San Bernardino County, the Oak Glen Preserve is a heavenly outdoor oasis that will lead you through stunning scenery and natural beauty throughout this 2,200-acre preserve. With trails as short as 2.5 miles long, this little slice of heaven on earth is a great spot for the beginning hiker. Address: 39611 Oak Glen Rd, Yucaipa, CA 92399.
- Big Bear Discovery Center Nature Trail
tripadvisor/mellicopter Located right outside the Big Bear Discovery Center in the town of Fawnskin, you’ll find a beautiful hiking trail that’s so easy even the kids can do it. Only 1/2 mile long, this short and sweet hike is just the thing you need to get you outside in the fresh mountain air in Southern California where you’ll be surrounded by towering trees and lots of wildlife. Address: 40971 North Shore Drive/Hwy 38, Fawnskin, CA 92333.
- Stanfield Marsh Wildlife and Waterfowl Preserve
googlemaps/mathew cruz While you’re in Big Bear, you can check out another easy hike in SoCal that should be at the top of everyone’s list. Stanfield Marsh Wildlife and Waterfowl Preserve Hike will take you across a majestic boardwalk in the center of a nature preserve that is quite breathtaking. Hike the boardwalk trail out and back and you’ll only clock a little over 1.5 miles – about the perfect amount for a beginner hike. Address: 42300 Big Bear Boulevard, Big Bear, CA 92314.
- Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve
googlemaps/megan
googlemaps/matt fitt A hike through the Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve will treat you to a variety of easy trails through this 135-acre park. Home to many birds and tons of wildlife, this natural setting will completely refresh you. Address: 2301 University Dr, Newport Beach, CA 92660.
- El Dorado Nature Center
googlemaps/helen rodenberger El Dorado Nature Center in Long Beach has a little bit of everything for the beginning hiker to love. Short trails ranging from one mile to three-miles, picturesque views featuring lakes and streams, and lots of shade to keep you covered on those hot SoCal days. Address: 7550 E Spring St, Long Beach, CA 90815.
- Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve
flickr/corey seeman Easy trails and an abundance of spectacular scenery are what you’ll find inside Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve. With a variety of hikes under three miles long, this picturesque nature reserve is a great destination for a short and easy hike for all skill levels. Address: 18000 Pacific Coast Hwy, Huntington Beach, CA 92648.
- Wilderness Gardens Preserve
googlemaps/Luisa Curiale
googlemaps/christopher hazlett Looking for a hike that will surround you with nothing but peace and quiet? Located in San Diego County in picturesque farm country, Wilderness Gardens Preserve is a great destination for beginning hikers. You’ll find a total of four miles of trails that will lead you through a forested setting and lots of natural beauty. Address: 14209 CA-76, Pala, CA 92059.
- Carbon Canyon Regional Park – Redwood Trail
googlemaps/alicia de la luz You don’t need to pack up the car and head to Northern California to see the redwoods when you can visit SoCal’s very own Redwood Trail right here at home. Located inside Carbon Canyon Regional Park, this 2.5-mile trail that’s just right for beginners will lead you on a picturesque hike through a forest of redwood trees that is positively breathtaking. Address: 4442 Carbon Canyon Rd, Brea, CA 92823.
So many great hikes to explore in SoCal. Which one is your favorite? Looking for more ways to explore the great outdoors in Southern California? You won’t have to do a lot of hiking on this outdoor adventure in SoCal but the scenery is still quite epic.
googlemaps/A Holzhauser
Wildlands Conservancy
Tucked inside San Bernardino County, the Oak Glen Preserve is a heavenly outdoor oasis that will lead you through stunning scenery and natural beauty throughout this 2,200-acre preserve. With trails as short as 2.5 miles long, this little slice of heaven on earth is a great spot for the beginning hiker. Address: 39611 Oak Glen Rd, Yucaipa, CA 92399.
tripadvisor/mellicopter
Located right outside the Big Bear Discovery Center in the town of Fawnskin, you’ll find a beautiful hiking trail that’s so easy even the kids can do it. Only 1/2 mile long, this short and sweet hike is just the thing you need to get you outside in the fresh mountain air in Southern California where you’ll be surrounded by towering trees and lots of wildlife. Address: 40971 North Shore Drive/Hwy 38, Fawnskin, CA 92333.
googlemaps/mathew cruz
While you’re in Big Bear, you can check out another easy hike in SoCal that should be at the top of everyone’s list. Stanfield Marsh Wildlife and Waterfowl Preserve Hike will take you across a majestic boardwalk in the center of a nature preserve that is quite breathtaking. Hike the boardwalk trail out and back and you’ll only clock a little over 1.5 miles – about the perfect amount for a beginner hike. Address: 42300 Big Bear Boulevard, Big Bear, CA 92314.
googlemaps/megan
googlemaps/matt fitt
A hike through the Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve will treat you to a variety of easy trails through this 135-acre park. Home to many birds and tons of wildlife, this natural setting will completely refresh you. Address: 2301 University Dr, Newport Beach, CA 92660.
googlemaps/helen rodenberger
El Dorado Nature Center in Long Beach has a little bit of everything for the beginning hiker to love. Short trails ranging from one mile to three-miles, picturesque views featuring lakes and streams, and lots of shade to keep you covered on those hot SoCal days. Address: 7550 E Spring St, Long Beach, CA 90815.
flickr/corey seeman
Easy trails and an abundance of spectacular scenery are what you’ll find inside Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve. With a variety of hikes under three miles long, this picturesque nature reserve is a great destination for a short and easy hike for all skill levels. Address: 18000 Pacific Coast Hwy, Huntington Beach, CA 92648.
googlemaps/Luisa Curiale
googlemaps/christopher hazlett
Looking for a hike that will surround you with nothing but peace and quiet? Located in San Diego County in picturesque farm country, Wilderness Gardens Preserve is a great destination for beginning hikers. You’ll find a total of four miles of trails that will lead you through a forested setting and lots of natural beauty. Address: 14209 CA-76, Pala, CA 92059.
googlemaps/alicia de la luz
You don’t need to pack up the car and head to Northern California to see the redwoods when you can visit SoCal’s very own Redwood Trail right here at home. Located inside Carbon Canyon Regional Park, this 2.5-mile trail that’s just right for beginners will lead you on a picturesque hike through a forest of redwood trees that is positively breathtaking. Address: 4442 Carbon Canyon Rd, Brea, CA 92823.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
Address: 39611 Oak Glen Rd, Yucaipa, CA 92399, USAAddress: 42300 Big Bear Blvd, Big Bear, CA 92314, USAAddress: 2301 University Dr, Newport Beach, CA 92660, USAAddress: 7550 E Spring St, Long Beach, CA 90815, USAAddress: 18000 Pacific Coast Hwy, Huntington Beach, CA 92648, USAAddress: 14209 CA-76, Pala, CA 92059, USAAddress: 4442 Carbon Canyon Rd, Brea, CA 92823, USA
