With so many beautiful trails in California for hikers of all skill levels, one can reap the benefits of hiking without going too far. Hiking outside allows hikers to unwind and breathe in fresh air while taking a break from their daily routine. It is one of the best ways to stay cheerful in these hectic times. Many trails in California are located in the state's national parks, making them truly wilderness experiences. Furthermore, some trails near California's coastlines are ideal for those who do not have days to go on long hiking expeditions.

From unrivaled coastlines and towering forests to the magnificent waterfall of Big Sur and Half Dome of Yosemite, California has trails for everyone to experience nature's splendor. Here are the ten best trails in California for hikers of all skill levels, from seasoned to beginners, allowing them to enjoy nature, improve health, and lift their spirits.

Related: 10 Best Springtime Hikes In California Where You Can See Wildflowers And Waterfalls (thetravel.com)

10 Half Dome: Iconic Trail For Seasoned Hikers

One of the most challenging yet rewarding trails in California, the Half Dome hike offers breathtaking vistas of Liberty Cap, Vernal and Nevada Falls, the High Sierra, and Yosemite Valley. Although the entire hike requires hiking skills, the final 400 feet to Half Dome's summit involve the use of cables and demand a great deal of expertise and endurance. As one of Yosemite's most popular hikes, obtaining a hiking permit for Half Dome is extremely difficult.

  • Length: 16 miles
  • Difficulty: Strenuous
  • Type: Out-and-back
  • Where: Yosemite National Park

The cables to the Half Dome summit are taken down in the winter for safety purposes; if one is interested in witnessing the 360-degree panorama from the top, plan after checking about the cables.

9 Yosemite Falls Trail: A Strenuous Hike Blessed With Immense Natural Beauty

One of the best hiking trails in California's Yosemite National Park, the hike to the top of North America's tallest waterfall provides unforgettable views of the entire Yosemite Valley and Merced River. This hike includes two short trails totaling 3,700 feet in elevation gain: the Columbia Rock Trail and the Top of Yosemite Falls Trail. The Columbia Rock Trail is a moderate hike to Columbia Rock, and the Top of Yosemite Falls Trail is a strenuous, 7-mile hike that is steep and difficult.

  • Length: 9 miles
  • Difficulty: Strenuous
  • Type: Out-and-back
  • Where: Yosemite National Park

The best time to visit the Yosemite Falls Trail is in the spring when the water flow is at its peak.

8 Lost Coast Trail: A Mutil-Day Coastal Delight For Experienced Hikers

The strenuous Lost Coast Trail offers a truly wild adventure to hikers, taking them through Northern California's majestic redwood forests and the Pacific Ocean's awe-inspiring coastline. Hikers on this trail may see elephant seals, eagles, and other wild animals in addition to stunning scenery. This trail consists of a 25-mile northern trail (mostly level with some boulders, streams, bluffs, and tide pools) and a 9-mile southern trail (with mountain meadows and ridge-top vistas). Most hikers complete the Lost Coast Trail in 3 to 4 days and enjoy camping in the wilderness; however, permits are required for camping.

Some sections of the Lost Coast Trail become impassable during high tide, so check the tide chart before embarking on the hiking expedition.

Related: Discover Northern California With The Great Shasta Rail Trail (thetravel.com)

7 Rubicon Trail: Serene Vista Of Lake Tahoe And Turquoise Waters

The Rubicon Trail along South Lake Tahoe's southwest shore is a stunning jewel for all those looking for fun, excitement, and scenery. It offers some of the best views of Lake Tahoe as it winds between D.L. Bliss State Park and the Vikingsholm Estate in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The trail is accessible from both directions and features a variety of terrain, including flat areas, rocky vistas, sandy coves, and shoreline cliffs.

  • Length: 16 miles
  • Difficulty: Moderate
  • Type: Out-and-back
  • Where: Sierra Nevada Mountains

Hikers can complete the Rubicon Trail in a few hours; they can extend their hike to Emerald Bay to see eagle nesting sites, as well as opt for overnight camping.

6 Lost Palms Oasis Trail: An Euphoric Experience Through Desert Canyon

The Lost Palms Oasis Trail in Joshua Tree National Park winds through diverse desert landscapes and is a moderately difficult hike. It leads hikers through a series of fairly level washes before going down through a canyon overlooking the oasis, renowned for its spring-fed pools and palm trees. Although getting to and from the oasis is not challenging, the intense heat in the area makes it a tough off-route hike. Hikers can camp at Cottonwood Campground or stay overnight in Joshua Tree National Park's cabins.

  • Length: 7.5 miles
  • Difficulty: Moderate
  • Type: Out-and-back
  • Where: Joshua Tree National Park

The trail is known for its exceptionally dark skies and is an ideal location for stargazers.

5 Mist Trail: A Magical Misty Adventure To Cascading Falls

The Mist Trail is one of the most fascinating hiking experiences one can have in Yosemite National Park. It takes hikers to two cascading waterfalls (Vernal and Nevada) and offers numerous gorgeous panoramas along the way. Hikers can hike to both falls or choose one based on their interests, though each offers extraordinary views and sensations. Hiking to Vernal Fall requires climbing a steep granite staircase with over 600 steps, but waterfall sprays and refreshing scenery make it worthwhile. Nevada Fall is a moderate hike via the Mist Trail from Vernal Fall or directly from the John Muir Trail.

  • Length: 3 miles round-trip to Vernal Fall,7 miles round-trip to Nevada Fall
  • Difficulty: Moderate
  • Type: Out-and-back
  • Where: Yosemite National Park

Wearing hiking boots with sturdy tread is advised when ascending the steep, slick staircase to the Vernal waterfall in the spring or early summer.

Related: Yosemite National Park: How You And Your Dog Can Make The Most Out Of Your Visit (thetravel.com)

4 Fern Canyon Trail: A Surreal Paradise For Memorable Experiences

The Fern Canyon Trail in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park is one of the shortest and most serene hiking trails in California for all skill levels. It takes hikers through an awe-inspiring canyon and out to a lovely waterfall. The canyon features a surreal and astounding exhibit of primal ferns with a creek bed. It's a beautiful hike up a cobbled stream dotted with Sitka spruce and many other conifers. Hikers can also enjoy the rewarding views of the fall and unwind by cooling off in the stream.

  • Length: 2 miles
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Type: Loop
  • Where: Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park

Wear waterproof hiking boots because the trail crosses streams, and bring a pair of dry shoes to change into afterward.

3 Laurel Canyon Trail: A Hiking Haven With Incredible Vista

Another one of the easy and most popular trails in California, the Laurel Canyon trail loop entices both novice and expert hikers with its beautiful ridges, hilltops, sandstone formations, and unspoiled canyons. There is also a 60-foot-tall waterfall that only flows during specific seasons, such as the winter or after heavy rains. This hike climbs quickly up the ridge from Willow Canyon to Laurel Canyon before dropping into Laurel Canyon, a natural wonder, and looping back to the starting point.

Weekends are the busiest because of the trail's abundance of natural features and proximity to urbanity and should be avoided.

2 Overlook Trail: The Dramatic Scenery Of Big Sur

The Overlook Trail to McWay Falls is a short hike that offers some of Big Sur's most stunning scenery for little effort. It's an approximately 1-mile out-and-back trail that takes hikers through the coastal cliffs to an observation deck with views of one of the most photographed falls in Big Sur, the McWay Waterfall. It's breathtaking to see this 80-foot waterfall cascade down a granite cliff and onto the shore of a sheltered cove. From the observation deck, hikers can also enjoy a spectacular panorama of the Pacific Ocean and spot migrating whales.

  • Length: 1.1 miles
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Type: Loop
  • Where: Big Sur

Hiking down to the beach is forbidden and may result in arrest.

1 Lands End Trail: A Hike Through Real San Francisco

​​​​​​​A wild hiking trail in California for all skill levels, the Lands End Trail is a well-known San Francisco trek with breathtaking scenery at every turn. It winds along rocky coastal cliffs and through eucalyptus- and cypress-shaded stretches, leaving hikers stunned with an amazing panorama of the coastline, rocky areas, and Golden Gate. With views of historic shipwrecks and access to the Sutro Baths ruins, the trail leads hikers on a tour of Land's End's history as well as to some of San Francisco's most cherished memories.

The trail is not for those who prefer flat hikes because it includes some stairs that lead to the beach.