Summer weather in southern California can be considered among the best in the world. The temperature rarely rises above 100 degrees and the skies are cloudless the majority of the days. Many people enjoy this weather by going to the beach or the pool, which are always fun choices, but they are also always crowded. To avoid the crowds and enjoy the weather within nature’s beauty, hiking is a great way to go. On top of all this, it is great exercise and many trails can provide for great picnic destinations or romantic landscapes. With over 200 trails to choose from in the greater Los Angeles area, finding the right one can be difficult, so here are some of our top choices.

Los Angeles County:
Runyan Canyon- This might seem like a strange place to hike considering it is right in the heart of Hollywood, but with its great views of the L.A. basin, it is hard to pass up. The loop is 3.5 miles long and is of moderate difficulty. A great feature of the trail is that it allows for dogs to be off leashes. The trail, however, is very crowded, so try to hike on the weekdays or early morning.
www.localhikes.com

Ventura County:
Anacapa Island- This trail provides you with scenic views of the ocean, sea caves, and wild life as you circle the island. The trip starts with an hour boat ride out to Anacapa Island, which normally contains views of porpoises and seals. The trail is 2 miles long and is a must-see if you wish to view the ocean away from the beach crowds.
www.localhikes.com

Orange County:
Trabuco Canyon Trail- This trail provides an escape from the summer heat because it lies within the deeply wooded Cleveland National Forest. It is a little over 5 miles long but is an easy trip on a well-maintained trail. The trail has many scenic forest vistas and also an abandoned gold mine. Solitude and shade provided by the 80-ft. sycamore trees makes Trabuco Canyon the ideal O.C. trail.
www.localhikes.com

Photo source: www.localhikes.com/Hikes/RunyanCanyon_4472.asp, www.localhikes.com/Hikes/Anacapa_4472.asp, www.localhikes.com/Hikes/RunyanCanyon_4472.asp