6 Most Beautiful Places To Hike In Orange County California

Orange County offers plenty of natural splendor, from its breathtaking coastline to the wooded inland parks. Hikes for all skill levels will lead adventurers to hidden waterfalls, tree-lined paths, and wetlands teeming with animals. Here are six gorgeous Orange County trails just waiting to be explored.

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Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park
Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park is approximately 2,500 acres of pure beauty. Here you’ll discover 23 trails for hikers and bikers, although the popular Red Rock Canyon trail is accessible just to hikers. This scenic half-mile trail offers the stunning rock formations of its namesake, and is considered an easy trail. The other hikers-only trail is the nearby Billy Goat Trail, which is considered difficult.
Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park, 27901 Glenn Ranch Road, Trabuco Canyon, CA USA

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Uncover my top 3 recommended places from each continent on the map.

CentralAmerica

Gorgeous Guatemala

5 days . Mini

1. Guatemala

An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.

CentralAmerica

Beachy Belize

5 days . Mini

2. Belize

A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.

CentralAmerica

Colonial Mexico

5 days . Mini

3. Mexico

An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.

SouthAmerica

Adventurous Ecuador

8 days . Epic

1. Ecuador

A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.

SouthAmerica

Ancient Peru

9 days . Epic

2. Peru

An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.

Europe

Seductive Southern Italy

10 days . Epic

1. Italy

The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.

Europe

Edinburgh And The Scottish Highlands By Train

7 days . Culture

2. Scotland

Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.

Europe

Complete Portugal By Train

8 days . Culture

3. Portugal

A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.

Asia

Soulful South Korea

10 days . Epic

1. South Korea

Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.

Asia

Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam

11 days . Epic

2. Thailand

From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.

Asia

Secrets Of Sri Lanka By Train

10 days . Culture

3. Sri Lanka

A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great price

Africa

Epic Morocco

11 days . Epic

1. Morocco

An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!

Africa

Ultimate Egypt

9 days . Epic

2. Egypt

From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.

Africa

Immersive Kenya

8 days . Epic

3. Kenya

An immersive blend of culture and wildlife for first time travelers to Africa. Learn about Nairobi, sample local coffee in the Aberdares and finish up with a fantastic safari stay in the Masai Mara.

The Trans-Catalina Trail
Catalina Island, located off the coast of California, offers several hiking trails. The largest is the Trans-Catalina Trail, covering 37.2 miles and stretching across the length of the island. One difficult, yet picturesque trek begins at the Two Harbors campsite. Head south to Silver Peak Trail for the best views, then down over 1,700 feet to Parson’s Landing, a beachside campground. Just eight campsites are available, each accommodating up to six people. The entire trip is about 6.5 miles, and can take anywhere from three to six hours. Of course, that’s just one of several loops and quests a hiker might take on the TCT.
Trans-Catalina Trail, Catalina Island USA

Caspers Wilderness Park
Caspers Wilderness Park is located in San Juan Capistrano. This pretty park consists of 8,000 acres of valleys, coastal live oaks and California sycamores, wildflowers, and streams. There are numerous trails for hikers, cyclists, and horseback riding, as well as guided nature walks.
33401 Ortega Hwy, San Juan Capistrano, CA USA

Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve
Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve in Huntington Beach offers an easy, 3-mile hike through wildlife-filled wetlands. More than 200 species of birds can be found, making it a popular hike for photographers and bird watchers.
Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve, Huntington Beach, CA USA

Alta Laguna Park
Also known as “Top of the World,” Alta Laguna Park in the Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park is known for its epic vistas. It’s a 2.5-mile round-trip hike for which the reward is unhindered views from all vantage points.
Alta Laguna Park, 3299 Alta Laguna Blvd, Laguna Beach, CA USA

Holy Jim Trail

The Holy Jim Trail is 2.8 miles and is considered an easy to moderate hike. The key points of interest here are the area’s creeks and waterfalls. Although just 18 feet high, the falls aren’t that majestic, but are still very pretty. Dogs are allowed, if leashed.
Holy Jim Trailhead, Cleveland National Forest, Holy Jim Canyon Road, Corona, CA USA

Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip

meet our Local Insider

Hanna

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?

2 years.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?

It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.

WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?

I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!

Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.

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Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.