California is full of hidden outdoor treasures waiting to be enjoyed. From tucked-away beaches to quiet hiking trails, these spots offer a break from the usual crowds.
Each one has its own charm, giving you a fresh way to enjoy the sunshine. Let’s take a look at some of California’s best-kept secrets for summer adventures!
1. Fern Canyon
Step into a prehistoric world where 50-foot walls draped in five different fern species create a magical green corridor. Located in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, this spot was even featured in Jurassic Park 2.
The canyon floor features a gentle stream you’ll cross on footbridges during your mile-long hike. Northern California’s coastal fog adds a mystical atmosphere to this already enchanting location.
2. Bowling Ball Beach
Perfectly round boulders line up in neat rows along this hidden Mendocino coast gem. These geological wonders, called concretions, only reveal themselves fully during low tide, creating a photographer’s paradise.
The surreal landscape feels like a giant’s abandoned bowling alley. Central California’s rugged coastline provides a dramatic backdrop as waves crash against these mysterious spherical formations that took millions of years to form.
3. Devils Postpile
Marvel at nature’s geometry in this eastern Sierra Nevada wonder. Towering basalt columns stand like a giant’s fence, formed when lava cooled and cracked into perfect hexagonal pillars rising 60 feet high.
A short hike leads to the top where you’ll find polished surfaces resembling tile flooring. Eastern California’s mountain setting makes this national monument even more spectacular, with nearby Rainbow Falls offering another breathtaking sight.
4. Pfeiffer Beach Purple Sand
Walk along shores where patches of sand shimmer with an otherworldly purple hue. This Big Sur hidden gem gets its unique coloration from manganese garnet deposits washing down from the hillsides.
Massive rock formations with wave-carved arches create perfect frames for spectacular sunsets. Central California’s rugged coastline never disappoints, but this beach’s colorful sand and relative seclusion make it truly special among the state’s many coastal treasures.
5. Painted Canyons Ladder Hike
Navigate through narrow rainbow-hued slot canyons using wooden ladders in this desert adventure near the Salton Sea. Mineral deposits have transformed these walls into a natural kaleidoscope of pinks, purples, and oranges.
The trail features eight ladders of varying heights that add a thrilling dimension to your exploration. Southern California’s desert landscape creates stark beauty all around, with the colorful canyon walls providing welcome shade from the summer heat.
6. Alamere Falls
Witness the rare phenomenon of a waterfall cascading directly onto a beach at this Point Reyes treasure. The 40-foot falls flow year-round, though summer brings gentler waters compared to winter’s dramatic torrents.
The moderately challenging 8.5-mile round-trip hike rewards you with coastal views before revealing the main attraction. Northern California’s dramatic meeting of land and sea creates the perfect setting for this tidefall – one of only two accessible ones in the state.
7. Bumpass Hell
Wander among bubbling mud pots, steaming fumaroles, and vibrant mineral pools in this otherworldly hydrothermal area. Named after an unfortunate guide who severely burned his leg here, this Lassen Volcanic National Park gem requires respect for its dangerous beauty.
A 3-mile round-trip boardwalk trail keeps visitors safe while showcasing the geothermal wonders. Northern California’s volcanic activity creates a fascinating landscape that feels more like Yellowstone than the Golden State most people imagine.
8. Black Sands Beach
Sink your toes into dramatic obsidian-colored shores at this remote northern coastline treasure. The stark contrast between dark sand, white foam, and blue water creates a photographer’s dream landscape unlike California’s typical golden beaches.
Located in the King Range Conservation Area, this 3.5-mile stretch offers solitude even during peak summer months. Northern California’s wild coastline shows its unique character here, with the Lost Coast Trail providing access to even more secluded shores for adventurous hikers.