168 1 Day Treks to Explore in California

Frazier Mountain is a broad, pine-forested peak in the Transverse Ranges System, within the Los Padres National Forest in northeastern Ventura County. The summit of the mountain is a Forest Service lookout area with radio tower facilities as well as an abandoned fire lookout tower. The highest point is accessible by a forest road that is open when there is no snow present on the mountain.

This is an attractive preserve on some low hills just outside Saratoga. Its grassy hills interspersed with stands of eucalyptus trees gives it a unique ranch-like appearance. The preserve contains 14.7 miles of hiking trails, nearly all open to equestrians and bicycles. The preserve contains many miles of trails and connects with other nearby locations, such as Stevens Creek County Park and Montebello Open Space Preserve.

The Golden Canyon in Death Valley National Park is probably the most famous hike in the park. It is easily accessible and you can enjoy the view from manly Beacon and explore the golden mudstone hills . It is one of the iconic location for trekkers and also there are so many things to expore.

Golden Canyon Trailhead is a locality in Inyo County. Golden Canyon Trailhead is situated west of Red Cathedral Junction, and west of Zabriskie Point Junction.This route features tons of geologic and human history – you’ll pass through layers of strata defining the different ages of Death Valley’s past, see canyons painted in dozens of different colors, and pass old mining shafts and claims from the area’s industrial heyday.

This is an open space with Beautiful scenery and colorful history await.The Guadalupe River takes center stage at the park. Step away from the river to find the more peaceful areas. Explore 13 miles of hike and bike trails. Trails range from the 2.86-mile Painted Bunting Trail to the 0.3 Mile River Overlook Trail, which leads you to a scenic overlook of the river.

The Guadalupe River Trail is a core trail system within San José's trail network. Once fully developed, it will extend about 20 miles and link the San Francisco Bay to south San José.The path runs along the banks of the Guadalupe River. The trail is currently composed of two discontinuous segments: a short segment along the Upper Guadalupe River and a longer segment along the Lower Guadalupe River. This trail is heavily used for both recreation and commuting.

Hawk Hill is a magnificent remnant hilltop dune with ocean views of southwestern San Francisco. It offers a prime vantage point for viewing thousands of hawks, eagles, falcons, and vultures collectively known as “raptors” as they soar overhead during their annual fall migration.This unique site in the Marin Headlands is steeped in military history and plays an important role in the vitality of endangered mission blue butterflies.

Hawkins Peak is one of the many volcanic peaks that over look the small town of Markleeville on Sr4. The popular Grover Hot Springs are at the base of this Mountain on the South Eastern Side. This peak is interesting to look at because the summit is a large knob made up of volcanic rock that looks like a nipple. Hawkins Peak is also one of the 10,000 ft peaks that surround Hope Valley.

The Hi-View Nature Trail is a 1.3-mile loop hike in the Black Rock area. The hike ascends 400 feet of elevation gain and reaches a high point with sweeping views of the surrounding mountains. Along the trail, you will see large Joshua trees, pinyon pine, and juniper trees. This area of the park tends to be slightly cooler and less busy than other areas of the park.

Highland Peak is a sharp summited peak located near Ebbetts Pass on California State Route 4, one of the trans-Sierra routes that is closed during the winter. Although it ranks as the 680th highest summit in California, it ranks 36th highest of those with at least 500 meters of topographic prominence. Highland Peak has a subsidiary South Peak, with one-half mile separation between summits. The Pacific Crest Trail traverses the western foot of this mountain, providing an approach option.

A broad mountain valley in Alpine County, California, located on the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada to the northeast of Carson Pass and south of Lake Tahoe. The valley served as a major thoroughfare for the passage of settlers and emigrants to and from California during the Gold Rush era. Sitting at an elevation of just above 7,000 feet and framed by peaks reaching over 10,000 feet high, Hope Valley is known for its wide vistas, fly fishing, fall colors, and winter activities.

Hope Valley Outdoors offers cross-country and telemark skis and snowshoe rentals along 60 miles of trails in the heart of Alpine County. It is a great place for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Although snow takes some time to build up in the area, you would be hard-pressed to locate a better area in the mountain with a similarly long extension of flat terrain and elevation that receives snow.

Hungry Valley is a valley located along the northern border of Los Angeles and Ventura counties. it is an off-road vehicle recreation area administered by the California Department of Parks and Recreation. With over 130 mi of marked off-road trails across over 19,000 acres of protected land, Hungry Valley SVRA is the second largest vehicular recreation area in California.

The Ice House Canyon is a popular day hike with a trail head just north of Mount Baldy Village. The trail is not to strenuous, but if you are hiking in the winter, snow and Ice is a factor.The winding trail begins in a shady canyon passing remnants of old recreation cabins as it heads towards Ice House Canyon Saddle.

Indian Creek Recreation Area is a recreation area located inside Alexander State Forest in Rapides Parish near Woodworth, Louisiana. It includes Indian Creek Reservoir, which is an artificial lake developed with the aid of the Louisiana Forestry Commission, the Rapides Parish Police Jury, and the Lower West Red River Soil and Water Conservation District. The lake was created in 1970 as a reservoir for agricultural irrigation and for recreation purposes.

The Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail offers the best trail access in the Sacramento area. This world-renowned trail winds from Folsom to old Sacramento, paralleling the American River and stopping at many key places along the way. The trail is considered one of the longest paved purpose-built bike trails in the country. The trail is maintained by the County of Sacramento and is painted with mile markers placed at every half-mile increment.

Joaquin Miller Park is one of the best examples of the Oakland Hills’ surprisingly lush landscapes. The park isn’t all redwoods, though; there’s a nice variety of scenery. The park is quite popular, especially the relatively level Sequoia Bayview and Sunset Trails. The Oakland Hills location provides panoramic views of the San Francisco Bay area. The park features include miles of hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails, an off-leash dog area, a children's playground.

Jobs Peak located in Alpine County, California, is the most prominent peak visible from the Carson Valley in Douglas County, Nevada. The peak offers hiking and backcountry skiing with the view of Lake Tahoe. It is in the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. It is one of the iconic location for challenging trek too.

This foothill park, open all year round, provides family and group picnic areas, hiking and nature trails and shelter buildings. Visitors are drawn to the Oak Foothill plant community, spring wildflowers, El Zanjon Creek, and the peaceful retreat the area affords from surrounding urban development.

This is the largest field of aeolian sand deposits in the Mojave Desert. The region is protected by the Mojave National Preserve. The dune field covers 45 square miles and includes migrating dunes, vegetation-stabilized dunes, sand sheets, and sand ramps.