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The land of Hollywood! That’s right, California. When it comes to hiking in California, most people believe that going on a trip to the mountains or just clicking a selfie with the Hollywood signs are the only options. But that is far from being true. Lovely beaches to beautiful canyons, California has it all. California is famous worldwide for its beaches so you can find lots of hiking trails along the sandy paths.
But, like always, it’s very easy to get overwhelmed by the huge number of options available out there. No worries, my friend, we are here to assist you. Today we will be talking about the best beach hikes in California. So, let’s get started with an easy and family-friendly one first.
Torrey Pines Beach Trail Loop
Distance: 3.7km
Difficulty: Easy
We all know San Diego for its awesome beaches and amazing city life. But some of you might be wondered that it is also home to one of America’s all-around natural reserves. Located in San Diego, the Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve is a great place to cherish yourself and spend some time exploring the adventurous history of the country. These 1750 acres of land have stayed the same protecting numerous flora and fauna from the time of its discovery.
The Reserve offers multiple hiking opportunities for both you and your family. Torrey Pines Beach Trail Loop is the most loved trail because of its beauty. You can enjoy a relaxing hike down the beach viewing the ocean, hill cliffs,s, and a large variety of wildflowers. The trails are also interconnected so you might start at one and end up into another with a slightly different experience each time.
Corral Canyon Loop Trail
Distance: 3.9km
Difficulty: Moderate
Now this one’s special. Most of us love beaches or mountains. But, what about both mountain and beach lovers? In that case, Coastal Canyon Park, situated in Malibu should be on your bucket list. A coastal canyon of the Santa Monica rests on the ocean floor and from there, a tributary empties into the ocean itself. The park is abundant with wildlife species and you can enjoy both the mountain cliffs and the ocean together.
The park is also a popular picnic and hiking spot in California. Coral Canyon Loop Trail is a 3.9 km loop down the creek. You can experience the lovely view of the Pacific Ocean and you can also bring your canine friend with you. At different times of the day, the canyon shows vibrant shades of color which look splendid. You will also get to see some deers and red-tailed hawks on your journey.
Reef Point and Crystal Cove Trail
Distance: 8km
Difficulty: Easy
Crystal Cove State Park is just one of the largest beaches in the Laguna Beach area. Besides hiking and walking, you can also go for underwater activities like scuba diving and snorkeling. Depending on the time you visit the park, you may come across a crowd. Also, during high tides, the long shoreline gets distributed into small beach areas.
What do you like most? A long walk across the shoreline or exploring the inland canyon? Well, you can do both walking down the Reef Point and Crystal Cove Trail. The trail is an 8km long route full of beautiful views of the ocean and canyons and is an easy family-friendly trail. No matter where you go, you will surely come across some wildlife. If you get hungry, after so much walking, you can sneak into one of the restaurants and bars. And trust me, the food is great
Alamere Falls via Coast Trail
Distance: 10.9km
Difficulty: Moderate
We talked about beach mountain lovers. Now this one’s a treat for beach nature lovers. The Philip Burton Wilderness area stretches over a vast area of land filled with rock-lined beaches and a pine forest. You can also find waterfalls in the area and lots of wildlife species, both aquatic and terrestrial. If you happen to visit between December and April you can also see gray whales.
The area is full of trails crisscrossing each other, each having its own set of experiences and activities. Alamere Falls via Coast Trail is one of the most desired by the people as it leads directly to the waterfall. The waterfall looks stunning when the tilting sun rays hit the water. The actual length of the trail is 21.9km but if you want to cut down your hike, you can do so. You can also spend your night looking at the stars and listening to animal sounds as they have campground facilities.
Fort Point- Baker Beach Coast Trail
Distance: 6.3km
Difficulty: Easy
A little close to the city yet a lot closer to nature. Experience a diversity of nature and cultural history through the Presidio of San Francisco. It is a place of history and architecture as it was used as a military base for many years. Walking on the sandy steps while enjoying the scenic beauty of the Golden Gate is satisfying to both the mind and the body.
While taking a walk down the beach, you will come across many kinds of wildflowers. Fort Point- Baker Beach Coast Trail offers you to walk through the sandy beach steps and enjoy the lovely natural landscape. This trail is also pet-friendly and you can also go jogging or biking. The weather stays cool most of the time and if you walk a little past Baker’s Beach you will get to see Land’s End.
Fort Funston Coastal Trail
Distance: 3.2km
Difficulty: Easy
Another place with rich historical value but Fort Funston is windier and gives you a completely different experience. Located near Daly City, this site gives you breathtaking views of the ocean and many more appealing natural places. Sandy beaches, blue skies, greenish roads all add up to the ambiance of the surroundings.
The best part about Fort Funston is that it allows dogs to go without a leash. You will find many tourists having a good time with their pets on the beach. The Fort Funston Coastal Trail is a great hiking trail and there are many picnic spots too lying here and there. Walking down the sandy stairs, be sure to look up as you will find a wide variety of birds and paragliders too. The place is a little windy so don’t forget to bring a sweater or blanket.
Andrew Molera Beach Trail
Distance: 3.7km
Difficulty: Easy
What time is it? That’s correct, Adventure Time! In the midst of Marin County, lies Tamalpais State Park. The park contains mostly redwood forests and oak forests. Mountains, streams, beaches, waterfalls, creeks, forests, and much more you get, all packed in a single trip. There are campgrounds and a large number of hiking trails to choose from.
Andrew Molera Beach Trail is one of the favorites among tourists. This one is for adventure lovers and explorers. Going a little deep into the forest, you will find many interesting places including wooden bridges, staircases, fast-flowing rivers, rocky mountains, mossy trees, and a wide variety of both wild animals and birds. It is recommended to go clockwise on this hiking trail because that way you get the hard part done quickly. The best time to visit is the summer when temperatures stay warm and comfy along with the cool breeze from the ocean.
Conclusion
Hiking on the beaches of California is an experience of a lifetime and you will want to make it special. We hope that we have managed to erase some of your confusion regarding the best beach hikes in California and the rest is up to you. Just remember, the mantra is to relax your mind, enjoy the hike and let go of the anxious thoughts. Happy hiking!
About the Author
Hussain from hikereneeds is a passionate hiker and traveler that love the outdoor and enjoys what nature has to give, whenever he can he love to write and give tips & honest reviews to help others get out there and just seek more unforgettable experiences
