10 California Epic Outdoor Adventures
When people think of California, they think of pristine beaches, celebrities, surfing, and endless sunsets. Yes, California has plenty of that, but it is also home to some of the most fascinating outdoor adventures on the planet. California is one of the few places where you can see the beach, the mountains, the forest, and the desert all in a single day. In this article, I will share with you some the best California outdoor adventures.
The Sierras
The Sierra Nevada mountain range is what every outdoor enthusiast lives for and the best of the best when it comes to California outdoor adventures. Beginning at the Sequoia national forest outside of Bakersfield and stretching into Nevada. There are more than 24,000 sq miles of lakes, waterfalls, rock formations, glaciers, sequoia trees, caves, and dense forests. It is also home to Californias most notorious outdoor attractions like Half Dome, El Capitan, Yosemite Falls, Clouds Rest, Big Pine Lakes, Rea Lakes, Kearsarge Pass. Kings Canyon, The John Muir Trail, Convict Lake, The High Sierras Trail, and Californias highest peak Mt Whitney. Truth be told you can not find a bad trail or a poor view here. Whether your adventure is hiking, backpacking, rafting, swimming, climbing, or canyoneering, you will find it right here. Don’t miss it if you are close by.
Above Pictures – Featured – Big Pine lakes. Lower 1. Half Dome 2. Mt Whitney 3. Glen Aulin 4. Kings Canyon
Joshua Tree
Named by Mormon settlers who crossed the Mojave Desert in the mid-1800s, the tree’s unusual shape reminded them of the Bible story in which Joshua reaches his hands up to the sky in prayer. A place once used by the famous rock group, The Eagles, as a place to trip on acid and write songs. It is known better known as a place of spirituality and stargazing. Located about 2 hours east of Los Angles, Josua Tree has endless miles of rock formations, secret caves, off-highway trails, and hiking trails. Joshua Tree has a fantastic feel to it and is an explorers paradise. The stars at night are luminous, the skies are clear, and the sounds of nature are abundant. If getting some alone time with nature is a priority, this is the spot.
Above pictures. Featured- Indian Cove. Lower 1. Barker Dam 2.Skull Rock. 3. The winter snow dusting the desert landscape. 4. A Big Horn Sheep taking in the sights.
California Deserts
How about the most bizarre California outdoor adventures? If that is your fancy look no further than Californias deserts. South Eastern California is mostly consumed by desert landscapes. Stretching from Death Vally down to the Mexican border, you will find plenty of exciting adventures such as hiking, rock climbing, cave exploring, and off-roading. Most of this area long ago was used for mining, so there are several abandoned mines and shafts to explore. Top destinations include the Goat Canyon Trestle, Salvation Mountain, Death Valley, Anza Borrego Art Sculptures, and the Glamis Sand Dunes. The desert has a lot of secrets, it’s about time you get out there and uncover those secrets.
Above pictures. Featured- Goat Canyon Tressle. Lower 1. Anza Borrego Sculptures. 2. Glamis Sand Dunes. 3. Salvation Mountain. 4. Death Valley
South Eastern California is mostly consumed by desert landscapes. Stretching from Death Vally down to the Mexican border, you will find plenty of exciting adventures such as hiking, rock climbing, cave exploring, and off-roading. Most of this area long ago was used for mining, so there are several abandoned mines and shafts to explore. Top destinations include the Goat Canyon Trestle, Salvation Mountain, Death Valley, Anza Borrego Art Sculptures, and the Glamis Sand Dunes. The desert has a lot of secrets, it’s about time you get out there and uncover those secrets.
Lost Coast
The Lost Coast is a pristine and undeveloped area of the California North Coast in Humboldt and Mendocino Counties. It was named the “Lost Coast” after the area experienced depopulation in the 1930s. Due to the rugged terrain of the coastal mountains, the area was deemed too costly to build roads, making this region the most undeveloped and remote portion of the California coast.
There is something special about being in a virtually untouched area. It seems like you have been transported to a land that time forgot, imaging that at one time all of Californias coasts looked like this. You can hike it, backpack it, or overnight camp it. It has fresh-smelling air, beautiful sunsets, and in certain areas black sand beaches. A genuinely epic visit with nature.
Above pictures. Featured- Morning mist over Kings Range. Lower 1. Rock Islands 2. Mattole Beach 3. Singletrack 4. Isolated Beaches
Mt Baldy
Mount San Antonio, also known as Mount Baldy, is the highest peak of the San Gabriel Mountains, and the highest point in Los Angeles County, California. The summit is within the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument and Angeles National Forest. It is the tallest mountain in the Los Angeles metropolitan area. Mount San Antonio’s sometimes snow-capped peaks are visible on bright days and dominate the view of the Los Angeles Basin skyline. This is a fierce hike, with awesome switchbacks and epic views
The Bridge To Nowhere
The Bridge to nowhere was once the East Fork Road until it was washed out during the great flood of March 1–2, 1938. The East Fork Road project was abandoned as a result of the floods, leaving the Bridge forever stranded in the middle of what is now the Sheep Mountain Wilderness. The Bridge sits isolated all alone ( in the middle of nowhere) and has become a top southern California destination for avid adventures, hikers, and bungee jumpers.
Big Sir
Big Sir is one of the most iconic and photographed locations in California. Beginning in San Simeon and finishing at the ever so famous Bixby Bridge outside of Carmel CA. There is much to see and do on this epic route. It is best to take your time and enjoy the views of this rugged coastline. Make sure you visit the Piedras Blancas Elephant Seals, Hearst Castle, McWay Falls, and of course the Bixby Bridge.
Sequoias
The giant sequoias are the tallest living things on our planet, growing as large as 300 to 350 feet tall and 16 to 18 feet across, with record specimens soaring to 360 feet. California has a few areas that offer the largest concentration of these massive trees. There are many other attractions as well in these parks that offer fantastic side trips. Below is a list of parks to see Sequoias
- Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park: Eureka,
- Redwood National Park: Orik
- Muir Woods National Monument: San Francisco,
- Yosemite National Park: Yosemite
- Big Basin Redwoods State Park: San Francisco
- Petrified Redwood Forest: Napa Valley.
- Sequoia National Park: Mineral King
Sandiego Backcountry
When people think of San Diego, they think of fantastic weather, surfing, beaches, and trendy resturants. HoweverSan Diego County has some of the most respectable backcountry adventures in the state. There are hidden waterfalls like Three Sisters, Kitchen Creek, and Cedar Creek. There are world-class trails like potato chip rock and the monster hike of El Cajon mountain. You can visit Palomar mountain and see the beaches on one side and the desert on the other. San Diego is packed full of backcountry adventures and is a haven for hikers, backpackers, rock climbers, and OHV enthusiasts.
Moaning Cavern
Moaning Caverns is a cave located in Calaveras County, California, near Vallecito, California. It is developed in marble of the Calaveras Formation. It was discovered in modern times by gold miners in 1851, but it has long been known as an unusual geological feature by prehistoric peoples. It gets its name from the moaning sound that echoed out of the cave luring people to the entrance, however, expansion of the opening to allow access for the public disrupted the sounds. The portion of the cave developed for tourists consists of a large vertical shaft 165 feet tall, which is descended by a combination of stairs and a unique 100-foot-high (30 m) spiral staircase built in the early 1900s. It is open to the public for walking tours. Moaning Caverns is also an archaeological site, where some of the oldest human remains known in America were discovered
Now get out there and make the most of your California.
