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8 Low-Key Hikes In Northern California With Amazing Payoffs

Northern California offers a variety of highly-rated hiking trails with stunning scenery for both seasoned and beginner hikers.

Updated Mar 31, 2022

Written by 

Emerson

Sometimes you're in the mood for getting out and experiencing the great Northern California outdoors, but you're short on time. Fortunately for us, our state is home to numerous short and easy hikes that are perfect for taking a quick adventure when the mood strikes. Not only that, but these trails boast some seriously epic views that you'll never forget and are some of the best hikes in Northern California. How many of these beautiful trails have you accomplished?

1. Flanagan and Chamise Peak Trail (Redding)

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Maria Jansson/Alltrails

This 4.6 mile out and back trail is located near Redding and offers up some downright jaw-dropping views of "all things Shasta". Shasta Lake, Shasta Dam, Mt. Shasta, etc. You name it, and you'll probably spot it on this trail! The trail starts at the Flanagan Road parking lot.

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2. Lake Siskiyou Trail (Mount Shasta)

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John Thomson/Alltrails

This is another trail located near Mount Shasta, but this time you'll be treated to incredible views of the beautiful Lake Siskiyou. The six mile trail circles the lake, providing plenty of shade as you traverse this stunning area. The flat trail makes it feel more like a leisurely stroll, but it's sure to become one of your new favorite spots to explore.

3. Mendocino Headlands Trail (Mendocino)

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James R Wilson/Alltrails

As far as coastal hiking trails go, Mendocino is the place to be. The Mendocino Headlands Trail is four miles long and leads you along the rugged coastline. The views are simply magical. You'll definitely want to bring your camera for this one. The sight of the ocean water hitting up against the rocky bluffs is not to be missed.

4. Cascade Falls Trail (Tahoma)

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Jim F/Alltrails

This short trail is merely 1.4 miles long, but you'll never forget the epic payoff that it leads you to. Located on the west shore of Lake Tahoe, the trail leads you to a picturesque waterfall within Emerald Bay State Park with plenty of overlooks that provide awe-inspiring views of Tahoe, Emerald Bay, and Cascade Lake.

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5. Waters Gulch Loop (Lakehead)

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Lydia Palavicini/Alltrails

Located within Shasta National Forest, this 3.3 mile trail follows the gulch down to the shore of the lake before taking you towards Packers Bay. The lake views are downright awesome, and this would be the perfect hike to take on a hot day when you can cool off in the lake!

6. Burney Falls Loop (Burney)

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Jeffery Kudsk/Alltrails

Burney Falls is by far one of the most beloved waterfalls in the state. It's an iconic sight in Northern California that must be witnessed. Fortunately, the hike to the falls is short and sweet. It spans merely one mile with a very small elevation gain. You'll find the trail within McArthur Burney Falls Memorial State Park. Although the waterfall is a popular tourist attraction all year long, spring is truly the best time to witness the falls.

7. Historic Donner Pass Trail (Donner)

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Barbara This/Alltrails

This is another iconic hike in Northern California that everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime. The 5.5 mile loop trail takes you through several segments of abandoned train tunnels, boasting breathtaking views of Donner Lake in the distance.

8. Gertrude Ord Trail (San Anselmo)

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shasta valdez/Alltrails

Located in Marin County, the Gertrude Ord Trail is the perfect way to experience the gorgeous Phoenix Lake. This is a popular trail, and you'll often find it populated with other hikers, bikers, and trail runners. Parking is limited so be sure to get there early (early morning is best). The trail offers sublime peace and quiet in a beautiful setting.

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What easy hikes would you add to this list? Check out our list of 11 Of The Best Northern California Hikes Under 2 Miles for more simple and fast hikes.

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Nature|Hiking

The Breathtaking Small State Park in Southern California That We Can’t Stop Thinking About

If you're looking for an underrated outdoor destination, look no further than Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park. This stunning spot will be your new favorite!

Published Oct 21, 2024

Written by 

Andrea Verschuyl

At this point, I think everyone's awake to California's iconic natural beauty. From the redwoods to Socal's sun-drenched beaches, The Golden State attracts millions of outdoor enthusiasts every year. No kidding, in 2023 alone, over 11 million people visited our national parks. All this traffic can throw a wrench in our plans for back-to-nature solitude. That's why I love Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park. Despite being just 45 minutes from Los Angeles, this stunning slice of shrubland remains remarkably serene. On a Friday morning hike, you might encounter only a couple of other adventurers and you're sure to see wildlife, historic sites, and breathtaking views.

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Hillside morning view at Santa Susana State Historic Park in the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles, California.

Comprising over 670 acres of sandstone rock and arid grassland, the Santa Susana Pass isn't just a hidden gem of Los Angeles County. This unique destination — nestled where the Simi Hills meet the Santa Susana Mountains — is a site of fascinating history. For 23,000 years, the Chumash peoples called this landscape home, making the most of the abundant natural resources and leaving behind artifacts that continue to inspire archeological research. In later chapters of local history, the region gained significance as the primary throughway linking San Francisco to Los Angeles. You can still hike this old stagecoach road, called the Cuesta Vieja trail, today!

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Wesley M/AllTrails

Being a tapestry of human stories doesn't mean the Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park isn't bursting with natural beauty. On the contrary, a diverse wildlife community resides among the sweeping vistas, sandstone rock, seasonal waterfalls, and sculptural brush. Animals, big and small, use this park as a corridor, making it a fantastic place to spot native species. Some residents will be easier to see, like birds. Others, like the ten to fifteen cougars who call the Santa Susana Mountains home, are far more elusive.

If you're more fascinated by flora than fauna, this park will still be of interest. Dotted throughout the sandstone formations are Santa Susana Tarplants, an endangered California species. Depending on the time of year, the slopes are painted with native wildflowers. Several species of oak shield shade-loving plants from the hot sun, and the acorns you see are likely the relatives of the trees that fed the Chumash long ago.

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Khder James Hernando/AllTrails

If you're looking for a small-town state park that offers abundant natural beauty without the crowds, I can't recommend Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park highly enough. Boasting rugged views, unique wildlife, and evocative history, it's the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles County. Throw on your hiking boots and knock this underrated gem off your bucket list!

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Nature|Hiking

Hike One of the Most Iconic Trails in California for an Unforgettable Adventure

We all love an off-the-beaten-track trail, but many of California's hikes are popular for a reason. Yosemite's Half Dome is iconic and totally worth the crowds.

Published Oct 18, 2024

Written by 

Andrea Verschuyl

Having been raised in the Pacific Northwest, I'm the first to admit that I'm a hiking snob, the type who has — straight-faced — referred to breathtaking places like Mount Rainier's Paradise area as "nature Disneylands." My point is this: I head outdoors when I want to get away from people, a goal that's sometimes incompatible with our beloved park system, which aims to make our nation's most beautiful natural areas more accessible. Of course, the downside for curmudgeons like me is increased crowds, a sure sign that the National Park Service is working, but also an obstacle to getting some peace and quiet outdoors. Yet, despite the foot traffic, some hikes are worth doing regardless of their pesky popularity. Not only is Half Dome Yosemite's most iconic trail, it's a right-of-passage for any adventurer worth their salt.

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The famous rock in Yosemite National Park

Half Dome has always been a subject of fascination for local peoples, inspiring stories and risky capers. Located within Ahwahneechee and Mono Lake Paiute territories, the granite slab was first called "Tissayack," derived from the Paiute word "crying girl." The name references a story about a young woman who was turned to stone by the Creator, her tears immortalized in the cliff face as moss and basalt streaks. European settlers considered the 5,000-foot structure inaccessible until it was scaled by the Scottish mountaineer George G. Anderson in 1875.

Since then, it's estimated that over a million thrill-seekers have made the perilous ascent. Over the years, rangers have implemented a series of protective measures to keep hikers safe. To prevent traffic jams on the infamous cables, for example, the park service maintains a lottery system. Still, 5,305 feet of elevation gain in 16 and a half grueling miles means Half Dome isn't for the faint of heart or scrawny-legged. As generously as this epic trek hands out bragging rights and breathtaking views, it can also hand out injuries. Bring good gear and be safe.

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Mark Rutkowski/AllTrails

Though 50,000 hikers commit to Half Dome each year, the sheer scale of the surrounding scenery makes this popularity insignificant. If anything, there's something special about sharing such a remarkable experience with others. As you pass hikers on switchbacks (and later watch them pass you) a camaraderie builds, with strangers offering one another their wisdom, commiseration, and much-needed encouragement.

Is it worth describing the view from the summit? Perhaps the best I can do is convey the tremendous relief and accomplishment. Looking across the verdant valley, the slabs of mountain, and the thread-thin roads, it's difficult to imagine that there could be anywhere more spectacular on Earth. Along with the usual sunscreen and water, bring a hefty snack for this moment. You won't enjoy a sandwich with a better view in your life.

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Yosemite National Park, August 18, 2023. As the sun dipped below the western horizon, casting a warm, golden hue across the Yosemite Valley, the iconic Half Dome stood as a majestic silhouette against the colorful canvas of the evening sky. Its sheer granite face, hewn by the relentless forces of nature over millennia, appeared even more formidable in the dwindling light. Visitors from around the world gathered at Glacier Point, or perhaps hiked to a secluded spot along the Mist Trail, to witness this breathtaking spectacle. The last rays of sunlight painted Half Dome’s curved surface with a fiery intensity, creating a visual symphony of reds, oranges, and purples that gradually faded into the tranquil blues of twilight. As the stars began to twinkle overhead, and the world around fell into serene darkness, Half Dome at sunset became not just a sight to behold but a moment to cherish. It was a reminder of the enduring beauty of the natural world and the profound sense of wonder it can inspire in all who are fortunate enough to witness it.

I might love quiet, off-the-beaten-path trails, but that doesn't mean the popular ones haven't earned their fame. Half Dome is one of California's most iconic hikes, but it's also an unforgettable adventure with a place on every nature lover's bucket list.

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