Surf spots, skate parks, hikes, beaches, and hidden gems across Southern California.
Southern California is one of the most diverse adventure environments in the world — within a two-hour drive of most of the region, you can access ocean, desert, mountains, and urban wilderness. Most people who grow up here experience a small fraction of what's available. This guide is a starting inventory of what's worth knowing about, organized by activity type.
For water: Malibu (Surfrider Beach) is the classic beginner surf spot — long, forgiving waves, uncrowded compared to much of the coast. El Porto in Manhattan Beach handles south swells well and has a learning curve that rewards progression. For swimming and general beach access, Zuma in Malibu and Crystal Cove in Newport are among the cleanest and least crowded options. For kayaking, the Channel Islands National Park provides one of the most stunning marine environments in North America.
For land: The Angeles National Forest is 15 minutes from Pasadena and contains hundreds of miles of trails ranging from casual to technical. Mt. Baldy's summit at 10,064 feet is achievable in a day and produces views that don't feel like they belong in Los Angeles. For skateboarding, Venice Beach Skatepark is iconic and free. Stoner Skate Plaza in West LA, LASC in Pomona, and the Vans Skatepark in Orange are worth the drive. For climbing, Joshua Tree National Park (2.5 hours east) is one of the world's premier crack climbing destinations.