Looking for some new springtime destinations in SoCal where you can soak up some stunning scenery and fresh air? Here are eight of the best spring hikes in Southern California that are quite easy and beautiful. It’s just what you need on a sunny day around here! Check them out:

1. El Dorado Nature Center

7550 E Spring St, Long Beach, CA 90815, USA
alex meza/Google Local
Head out on a variety of trails at El Dorado Nature Center to get your springtime hiking fix. With trails ranging from one to three miles, you'll find a little something for everyone to enjoy at this outdoor oasis. Learn more about the nature center on the official website.

2. Quail Hill Loop Trail

Quail Hill, Irvine, CA, USA
All Trails/Dennis Goodman
This 2-mile hiking trail is perfect for a family hike this spring in SoCal. Located in Irvine, you'll have views in every direction you look. Not only will you see plenty of green but an abundance of wildflowers as well. This hike is a great way to ring in the spring season in SoCal!

3. Lake Calavera Loop Trail

Tamarack Avenue, Tamarack Ave, Carlsbad, CA, USA
Krajicek (teadrinker)/Google Reviews
Seeking a fun and easy hike the whole family will love? Trek along this trail at Lake Calavera in Carlsbad and you'll be treated to a variety of scenic surroundings -- wetlands, wildlife, creeks, bridges, and a lake. You'll love this hike this spring in Southern California.

4. Oso Creek Trail

24932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo, CA 92692, USA
Oso Creek Trail/Google Local
Although Oso Creek Trail can be enjoyed all year long, it's the spring season when the colors really pop. As the flowers burst into bloom you can enjoy the springtime scenery as you trek along a variety of trails that total 5.5 miles in all. It's one of the most beautiful hiking trails in Southern California.

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5. Los Penasquitos Canyon Preserve

12020 Black Mountain Rd, San Diego, CA 92129, USA
Devinder/Flickr
During the springtime, Los Penasquitos Canyon Preserve may remind you of a fairytale setting with its lush green grass and picturesque setting. Add a waterfall, rugged rocks, and a tree swing, and you'll have one epic adventure that's sure to please the entire family. It's one hike you'll never forget.

6. Bane Canyon Loop Trail

4721 Sapphire Rd, Chino Hills, CA 91709, USA
Brian Edward Anderson/Google Maps
The Bane Canyon Loop Trail located in Chino Hills State Park is one place you'll want to experience during the springtime. Wildflowers of every color cover the rolling hillside like a painting. The loop is approximately six miles long and considered to be a moderately easy hike. Oh, and did we mention the wildflowers?

7. Stanfield Marsh Wildlife and Waterfowl Preserve

42300 Big Bear Blvd, Big Bear, CA 92314, USA
Mathew Cruz/Google Local
Stanfield Marsh Wildlife and Waterfowl Preserve Hike is an easy 1.5-mile hike that leads you across a stunning boardwalk trail with a sublime view of this rugged nature preserve in SoCal. It's truly one of the best spring hikes in SoCal.

8. Chantry Flat Recreation Area

Chantry Flat Road, Chantry Flat Rd, Sierra Madre, CA, USA
CleftClips/Flickr
Nestled inside the Angeles National Forest, you'll find this lush trail in the Chantry Flat Recreation Area which is the most beautiful place to experience a hike. You'll find footbridges, forested trails, and tranquil streams that will inspire you to spend more time outside in nature. Exploring here is the perfect thing to do in spring in Southern California.

Looking for something else to do in Southern California in spring? Take a look at this video of Catalina Island by @OnlyInYourState and plan your trip there!:

There are so many magnificent hikes to take in SoCal! Do you have a favorite one on this list? What are your picks for the best spring hikes in Southern California? Let us know! And make sure you download the AllTrails+ app to guide you on the trails this spring.

If you’re looking for more ways to enjoy the great outdoors in SoCal, we think you may also enjoy learning about these 8 places that most people have never even heard of before.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

More to Explore

Best Hikes In Southern California

Tori Jane | March 15, 2022

What are some of the most scenic hikes in Southern California?  

We might be able to successfully argue that EVERY hike in Southern California is a scenic hike in Southern California; our little corner of the world is beautiful, interesting, and truly unlike anywhere else in the country. As a result, we’re a hub of wonderful locations for nature lovers, including hundreds of miles of hiking trails. Some of our favorite hikes in Southern California include the following:

  • The underappreciated Quail Hill Loop Trail in Irvine. That one is beautiful, underrated, and ridiculously easy – you can even bring the family dog along for that one!
  • Another favorite is San Diego County’s epic Mt. Woodson Trail, which features truly out-of-this-world geology, like Potato Chip Rock (when you see it, you’ll get it).
  • Hike to a beautiful hidden waterfall on the Los Penasquitos Canyon Preserve, which is a great day hike with an even greater reward.

Which scenic hikes in Southern California are your favorites? 

What are the best easy hikes in Southern California?  

With thousands of trails to choose from scattered all over the great state of California, it might be tough to decide where to begin. Why not start with some of the best easy hikes in Southern California? Among our favorite easy hikes in Southern California are amazing gems like:

  • The Potato Chip Rock via Mt. Woodson Trail (mentioned above) is a little longer, at 7.3 miles total, but it’s easy enough to make time pass quickly. Plus, the end result – some of our most interesting geology in SoCal – is definitely worth the trek!
  • The Eaton Canyon Trail is another great one, just 4.4 miles long and with lots of shade. It features a waterfall and some truly epic views – it's a must-do for SoCal hikers and visiting hikers.
  • Then, try out the Solstice Canyon Loop, which is located in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. It’s just three miles long and features some truly amazing scenery.  

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