Posted in Southern California
January 26, 2021
In 2021, Take These 12 Incredible Southern California Hikes, One For Each Month Of The Year
The New Year is a great time to plan for new adventures, and you can’t go wrong with exploring the outdoors. That’s why we’ve gathered 12 hikes for you to try this year. Go ahead and mark your calendar with these interesting and unique hikes and then get out there to hit the trail!
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This 10-mile round trip hike through the canyon is located on the East Fork of the San Gabriel River. The trail gets its name from an abandoned bridge that was washed away by a massive flood in 1938.

Located in Death Valley, it’s best to do this hike between November and May during the cooler months. Don’t forget to bring lots of water, this is one of the hottest and driest places on earth. This trail is on the shorter side at only .9 miles long.

As a 1.7-mile loop trail, this hike is suitable for all skill levels. The trail is best accessed from October until April. Hikers, walkers, and campers all use the trail and there’s some beautiful scenery along the way.

Pass through forests and streams on this hike, while also taking in views of the desert and ocean. This 3.5-mile loop is a popular hike and resides only two hours from San Diego.

Take this 7.5-mile round-trip hike through this canyon. It’s a popular place to hike or ride by horseback, exploring the rock formations and natural beauty.

Accessible year-round, this trail is perfect for moderate level hikers. At 3 miles out and back, it won’t take up your whole day and you can take time to explore more of the national forest.

The Laguna Coast Wilderness Park has 40 miles of trails open for hiking, horseback riding, and cyclists. This particular trail is a 3.3-mile loop and has a waterfall along the way.

At a distance of 4.2 miles, this trail takes about 2 hours to hike. It's best to hike it during the spring, fall, and winter seasons to have the best weather conditions.

Considered a strenuous trail, this hike features views of the Pacific Ocean and Anacapa Island. This hike is 7.5 miles long and has plenty of wildlife to see along the way.

If you’re looking for a challenge, Cucamonga Peak is a 12-mile round-trip with a 4000-ft elevation gain. Although strenuous, getting to the summit will be quite the reward!

Calling all hiking enthusiasts! This hike comes in at 17.5 miles round-trip. It also has the highest peak in Southern California at 11,503 ft. The best time to take this hike is from May through October to ensure the best weather.

This hike starts at the same trailhead as the Bridge to Nowhere hike. It’s 14 miles long and you’ll have an elevation gain of 7200 ft.
This selection of hikes has everything from one mile to 17 miles round-trip and everything in between. Which hikes are you looking forward to trying?
Check out the California Department of Parks and Recreation for more hiking ideas. Be sure to check for trail conditions and closures before visiting any of these incredible trails.
Address: Camp Bonita Rd, La Verne, CA 91750, USA
Address: Salt Creek Interpretive Trail, California 92328, USA
Address: Twentynine Palms, CA 92277, USA
Address: Boucher Hill, California 92061, USA
Address: 28000 Devils Punchbowl Rd, Pearblossom, CA 93553, USA
Address: Cowles Mountain, San Diego, CA 92119, USA
Address: Laurel Canyon Hike, Laguna Beach, CA 92651, USA
Address: 38520 S Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92264, USA
Address: Ventura, CA 93001, USA
Address: Cucamonga Peak Trail, California, USA
Address: Angelus Oaks, San Bernardino Peak Divide Trail, Angelus Oaks, CA 92305, USA
Address: Iron Mountain, California, USA