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California is filled with natural beauty, and one of the best ways to truly immerse yourself in this is by making the most of the many hiking trails that criss-cross throughout the Golden State. From the grueling hike to the top of Mt. Baldy to the spectacular landscapes surrounding Eagle Lake, these are some of the top hiking trails that California has to offer.

Wonder View Trail, Los Angeles
The Hollywood Sign is an iconic part of Los Angeles, and while there are a few different hiking trails that will take you up to it, the Wonder View Trail is the most scenic. This is the least-traveled trail up to the sign, and offers spectacular views out over Los Angeles, while taking you to two different peaks. The trail is a three mile round trip, and ascends 875 feet, so while it may be slightly challenging for some, it is one that many can attempt.

Eagle Lake, Lassen County
The trail to sparkling Eagle Lake begins in Emerald Bay State Park, and features a long stretch of well-worn rock stairs that takes you up to Eagle Falls. After climbing for another mile and a half, you will reach Eagle Lake, and, after making your way over to its west side, will be greeted with one of the finest views in the state.

Lady Bird Johnson Trail, Redwood National Park
While there may be several different hiking trails to be found in the Redwood National Park, the Lady Bird Johnson Trail is short and level, making it one of the most popular trails in the park. This trail showcases the park’s towering redwood trees, which are famous for being amongst the tallest in the world.

Ski Hut Trail, Mt. Baldy, San Bernardino County
California is home to many great peaks, but Mt. Baldy is one of its finest. For those who do not want a grueling hike, there is a tram that takes you a few miles from the summit, but for those who want to really challenge themselves, the Ski Hut Trail is perfect for this. While this trail is only eight miles long, it takes you up over 4000 feet in elevation, making it quite the grueling hike. Nevertheless, the view from the summit, as well as the sense of accomplishment that you will feel, makes it all totally worthwhile.

Telescope Peak, Death Valley
For those who want an adventure-filled day hike, the trail up to Telescope Peak, which is just outside of Death Valley, is ideal. The trail is a 14 mile round trip, and ascends 3000 feet, taking you to the top of one of the most prominent mountains in California, from where you will be able to see all the way down to Badwater Basin, the lowest point in the United States.

No matter what your skill level may be, you can be sure that there are hiking trails in California that are absolutely perfect for you. Whether you want a short and gentle walk, or a steep, uphill climb, these hiking trails are amongst the very best in the state.

Situated in Los Feliz, on the eastern side of the Santa Monica Mountains, Griffith Park is one of the largest urban parks in North America, stretching out for an impressive 4,310 acres. Considered to be a wilder and more rugged version of New York’s Central Park by many, Griffith Park boasts an incredibly wide range of attractions, from the iconic Hollywood Sign to the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens to the one and only horse ranch in the greater Los Angeles area, placing it at the top of every to-do list for first-time visitors.

Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens
Home to around 250 species of animals, totaling over 1100 creatures altogether, the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens were founded in 1966, and remain a popular attraction in the city. In addition to touring the many exhibits at the zoo, from the Elephants of Asia to the Campo Gorilla Reserve, visitors will also be able to explore the 800 plant species that live in the selection of botanical gardens here.

The Hollywood Sign
The Hollywood sign is one of LA’s most legendary icons, and this is located in Griffith Park. Standing at 45 feet tall and 350 feet long, the sign is surrounded by a 138 acre protected piece of land that ensures that no developments can block this world famous view. There are many different areas of the park that provide views of the sign, with some of the most popular being found on the many hiking trails that criss-cross around Mt. Hollywood.

Griffith Observatory
After it first opened in 1935, the Griffith Observatory quickly became one of the top cultural icons in the city, offering some of the best views of LA, stretching all the way from the Pacific Ocean to Downtown, and includes the Hollywood sign. The Griffith Observatory is also where you will find the Samuel Oschin Planetarium, the Zeiss Telescope and the Gottlieb Transit Corridor, all of which contribute to the observatory’s goal of inspiring people to “observe, ponder and understand the sky”.

Sunset Ranch Hollywood
The only horse ranch that is located within the greater Los Angeles area, the Sunset Ranch Hollywood provides visitors with the opportunity to enjoy a truly unique perspective of Griffith Park. There are a number of activities here that visitors can sign up for, from a horseback riding lesson to a Sunset Dinner Ride to a BBQ ride. For those who want to properly explore the park on horseback, there are a few different guided tours to choose from, with the one hour trail ride providing you with spectacular views of the Hollywood sign, and the two hour trail ride taking you to the top of Griffith Park to experience a 360 degree panorama of Los Angeles.

With so many different awesome attractions available, it is no surprise that Griffith Park receives millions of visitors each and every year. Whether you are looking for unparalleled views of the Hollywood sign, or want to enjoy a day out at the zoo, Griffith Park is, without a doubt, the best place to go.

Tag Archives: Hollywood Sign

Top Hiking Trails of California

Awesome Attractions at LA’s Griffith Park