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Gems in California - 157

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gem Favorite The views are breathtaking.

Glacier Point

(96) Yosemit…, CA
gem Favorite Vernal Fall mistin' the rainbow

Vernal Falls

(114) Yosemit…, CA
gem Favorite Coming down the cables from the Half Dome summit.

Half Dome

(78) Yosemit…, CA
gem Favorite Yosemite Valley

Tunnel View

(92) Yosemit…, CA
gem Favorite The Upper and Lower Yosemite Falls

Yosemite Falls

(86) Yosemit…, CA
gem Favorite Such an incredible spot in Yosemite. Clouds Rest is appropriately named with 360 views of the park including Half Dome.

Clouds Rest

(50) Yosemit…, CA
gem Favorite Curved space, if not time, exists at Mesquite Sand Dunes.

Mesquite Flats Sand Dunes

(48) Badwater, CA
gem Favorite Amazing views! Death Valley - Zabriskie Point.

Zabriskie Point

(48) Badwater, CA
gem Favorite Flying over the Golden Gate.

Golden Gate Bridge

(45) Sausalito, CA
gem Favorite Steep walls lined with lush ferns grace the Fern Canyon Loop Trail.

Fern Canyon

(38) Westhav…, CA
gem Favorite Badwater Basin

Badwater Basin

(40) Badwater, CA
gem Favorite Sentinel Dome Summit

Sentinel Dome

(32) Yosemit…, CA
gem Favorite A giant in the Mariposa Grove.

Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoia Trees

(33) Oakhurst, CA
gem Favorite General Sherman Tree

General Sherman

(38) Three R…, CA
gem Favorite Droves of cholla are highlighted by the setting sun at Cholla Cactus Garden. Photo credit: NPS/Brad Sutton.

Cholla Cactus Garden

(45) Twentyn…, CA
gem Favorite Views of the Sierra Nevada Range abound from the top of Moro Rock.

Moro Rock

(31) Three R…, CA
gem Favorite Tall trees

Cathedral Grove

(29) Mill Va…, CA
gem Favorite Atop Alamere Falls

Alamere Falls

(24) Bolinas, CA
gem Favorite Eastside or backside of Baker Dam facing N. Nice reflections in the water. Lots of people taking photos of each other.

Barker Dam

(34) Twentyn…, CA
gem Favorite Milky Way over Arch Rock

Arch Rock

(26) Twentyn…, CA
gem Favorite Artist's Palette.

Artist's Palette

(40) Badwater, CA
gem Favorite Muir Woods

Bohemian Grove

(23) Mill Va…, CA
gem Favorite Dante's View. Death Valley National Park.

Dante's View

(22) Badwater, CA
gem Favorite The clouds erupt in wonderful colors as we reach the summit of Mt. Ryan.

Ryan Mountain

(21) Twentyn…, CA
gem Favorite Redwoods along the Tall Trees Grove Trail.

Tall Trees Grove

(17) Westhav…, CA
gem Favorite On top of El Capitan, Yosemite National Park.

El Capitan

(20) Yosemit…, CA
gem Favorite Keys View, Joshua Tree National Park.

Keys View

(27) Sky Valley, CA
gem Favorite San Francisco, Golden Gate Bridge

Battery Spencer

(17) Sausalito, CA
gem Favorite Artist Point Winter Sunset

Artist Point

(19) Yosemit…, CA
gem Favorite The only remnants fo the Post Exchange and Officers' Club

Alcatraz Island

(22) San Fra…, CA
gem Favorite The foot bridge over Smith River.

Stout Grove

(17) Bertsch…, CA
gem Favorite View of Clouds Rest, Quarter Dome, Half Dome, and Mount Starr King from North Dome.

North Dome

(11) Yosemit…, CA
gem Favorite Devil's Golf Course at midday.

Devil's Golf Course

(29) Badwater, CA
gem Favorite Another view of Point Reyes Lighthouse

Point Reyes Lighthouse

(21) Inverness, CA
gem Favorite Skull Rock peeks up through the surrounding boulders. Photo credit: NPS/Robb Hannawacker.

Skull Rock

(39) Twentyn…, CA
gem Favorite On our way to the Gen. Grant Tree

General Grant Tree

(16) Squaw V…, CA
gem Favorite View of the falls.

Burney Falls

(10) Burney, CA
gem Favorite Cathedral Lake w/ Cathedral Peak.

Lower Cathedral Lake

(12) Yosemit…, CA
gem Favorite Cathedral Peak and part of the Cathedral Range from Lembert Dome.

Lembert Dome

(12) Yosemit…, CA
gem Favorite That's one massive tree! (Big Tree Wayside)

Big Tree Wayside

(13) Westhav…, CA
gem Favorite Enjoy breathtaking Mt. Shasta views from above Castle Lake.

Castle Lake Overlook

(6) Dunsmuir, CA
gem Favorite Top of Glen Pass, looking north/east towards the Rae Lakes.

Glen Pass

(7) Lone Pine, CA
gem Favorite Phantom Falls

Phantom Falls

(4) Oroville, CA
gem Favorite Stunning views from al the way up here!

Lassen Peak

(4) Shingle…, CA
gem Favorite Lassen Peak across the Cinder Cone crater

Cinder Cone

(4) Chester, CA
gem Favorite Lower Ottoway Lake as seen from the Red Peak Pass trail.

Lower Ottaway Lake

(4) Yosemit…, CA
gem Favorite Cherry blossoms at Manzanar.

Manzanar National Historic Site

(4) Lone Pine, CA
gem Favorite Looking across the San Bernardino Mts, at Mt. San Antonio (Baldy), in the San Gabriel Mts, from the Keller Peak Fire Lookout.

Keller Peak Fire Lookout

(3) Running…, CA
gem Favorite Sundown at Penner Lake, Tahoe National Forest.

Penner Lake

(8) Downiev…, CA
gem Favorite Though you'll have to navigate tight clearances, Bear Gulch Cave provides both a respite from the sweltering heat and the unique opportunity to explore a talus cave.

Bear Gulch Cave

(15) Soledad, CA
gem Favorite Crystal Cave - stalactites

Crystal Cave

(3) Three R…, CA
gem Favorite Slack-liner Shows Off 3'000ft Above The Ground At Taft Point.

Taft Point

(8) Yosemit…, CA
gem Favorite Sunset @ Mistake Point, Little Jackass Creek, Sinkyone Wilderness, CA

Little Jackass Creek - The Lost Coast

(3) Redway, CA
gem Favorite Looking down the trail to Mile Rock Beach

Mile Rock Viewpoint

(6) San Fra…, CA
gem Favorite Sierra Sunset from Panoramic Point - Kings Canyon NP.

Panorama Point

(6) Squaw V…, CA
gem Favorite Hart Tree - One of the 20 largest sequoias.

Hart Tree

(6) Three R…, CA
gem Favorite Grizzly Falls

Grizzly Lake

(2) Weaverv…, CA
gem Favorite Cool rock formation!!

Eagle Rock

(12) Julian, CA
gem Favorite Crystal Lines by Darren Marshall

Crystal Lake

(2) Chester, CA
gem Favorite The Trees!

The Congress Group

(11) Three R…, CA
gem Favorite The inside of the main tube.

Mojave Lava Tubes

(2) Fort Irwin, CA
gem Favorite Sunset view from Vista Hill

Vista Hill

(1) Los Alt…, CA
gem Favorite The very top! You can see all the way from San Francisco to San Jose.

View of San Francisco Bay

(1) Ladera, CA
gem Favorite Lake Tahoe from the summit of Freel Peak.

Freel Peak Summit

(1) South L…, CA
gem Favorite Big Blue Lake

Big Blue Lake

(1) Fort Jones, CA
gem Favorite Western bank cliffs of the Kern Canyon are over 1,000 feet high here, near the Kern Hot Springs. Seen looking south at the canyon bottom on a beautiful early May morning. The Kern River is to the right at the bottom of the cliffs but not visible here.

Kern Hot Spring

(1) Lone Pine, CA
gem Favorite Hart Meadow

Hart Meadow

(1) Three R…, CA
gem Favorite Evening light on Lassen Peak over Lake Helen.

Lake Helen

(1) Shingle…, CA
gem Favorite Lassen Peak across Manzanita Lake

Manzanita Lake

(1) Shingle…, CA
gem Favorite Boole Tree

Boole Tree

(1) Squaw V…, CA
gem Favorite The pretty Kern River seen from the east end of the Lower Kern Bridge.

Kern Canyon

(1) Three R…, CA
gem Favorite Looking southeast from the top of Prospect Peak, one can look into Cinder Cone below (center lower left). On the horizon are Red Cinder and Red CInder Cone (right center). Snag Lake (right) with Mt Hoffman nearby, behind it, are also seen.

Prospect Peak

(1) Chester, CA
gem Favorite No Photos

Grizzly Lake from China Creek

(1) Weaverv…, CA
gem Favorite Loma Prieta (3,790 ft.) the highest peak in the Santa Cruz Mountains is on the right. Seen looking southwest when winding along on the Bald Peaks Trail ridge top. Pretty wildflowers all along the trail.

Bald Peaks Viewpoint

(1) Almaden…, CA
gem Favorite More views along the Tuolumne River.

Tuolumne River

(10) Yosemit…, CA
gem Favorite There are traces of the Old Redwood Highway still visible on the cliffs above Enderts Beach.

Enderts Beach

(6) Bertsch…, CA
gem Favorite Half Dome at Sunset.

Snow Creek Viewpoint

(4) Yosemit…, CA
gem Favorite Tule elk male, Tule Elk Reserve, Tomales Bay

Pierce Point Ranch and Tule Elk Preserve

(12) Inverness, CA
gem Favorite The view of Death Valley from the old mine high in the Funeral Range.

Keane Wonder Mine

(4) Badwater, CA
gem Favorite Lower Glen Alpine Falls early morning, just off the road before the trailhead. Popular tourist spot.

Lower Glen Alpine Falls

(3) South L…, CA
gem Favorite Another view of the lighthouse bridge

Point Bonita Lighthouse

(8) Tamalpa…, CA
gem Favorite Valley View of Yosemite Valley - El Capitan and Three Brothers.

Source of Life

(12) Yosemit…, CA
gem Favorite A couple of bears feeding in the meadow on the way to Tharp's Log. A short and family friendly hike in SNP

Tharp's Log Cabin

(8) Three R…, CA
gem Favorite Inspiration point at Anacapa Island!

Inspiration Point

(5) Anacapa…, CA
gem Favorite Swing on the Giant Eucalyptus Tree.

Big Swing on a Giant Eucalyptus

(3) Inverness, CA
gem Favorite While in Santa Teresa County Park, be sure to check out the restored old Bernal-Gulnac-Joice Ranch House.

Bernal-Gulnac-Joice Ranch

(5) Almaden…, CA
gem Favorite The Golden Gate Bridge shrouded in fog.

Hawk Hill

(6) Sausalito, CA
gem Favorite San Antonio Falls

San Antonio Falls

(10) Wrightwood, CA
gem Favorite The view of the canyon is astounding.

Banshee Canyon

(3) Needles, CA
gem Favorite Upper Granite Lake

Granite Lakes

(3) Bridgeport, CA
gem Favorite A steam vent at the Sulphur Works.

Sulphur Works

(3) Shingle…, CA
gem Favorite A juvenile california condor, as evidenced by the black head, glides on thermals around the High Peaks.

High Peaks Viewpoint

(6) Soledad, CA
gem Favorite The Valley of the Heart's Delight (AKA San Jose and its countryside) offers a beautiful scene from the summit of Bald Mountain.

Bald Mountain Viewpoint

(7) Almaden…, CA
gem Favorite Los Angeles

Griffith Observatory

(8) Hollywood, CA
gem Favorite Clouds begin to fill the sky looking north from Sandstone Peak.

Sandstone Peak

(7) Casa Co…, CA
gem Favorite The view of the Klamath River flowing into the Pacific Ocean is quite beautiful.

Klamath River Overlook

(7) Bertsch…, CA
gem Favorite Beautiful for sunsets

Sutro Baths

(13) San Fra…, CA
gem Favorite Feather Falls

Feather Falls

(4) Berry C…, CA
gem Favorite Lots of great spots to stop while on this trail to take amazing photos of the Crescent Meadow!

Crescent Meadow

(12) Three R…, CA
gem Favorite Rubicon Point Lighthouse in front of Lake Tahoe

Rubicon Point Lighthouse

(5) Tahoma, CA
gem Favorite Rodeo Beach.

Rodeo Beach

(7) Tamalpa…, CA
gem Favorite Patterson Lake

Patterson Lake

(2) Alturas, CA
gem Favorite Devils Postpile.

Devils Postpile

(9) Mammoth…, CA
gem Favorite Mount Rubidoux Cross.

World Peace Tower and Friendship Bridge

(7) Rubidoux, CA
gem Favorite A cool sculpture on Chrissy Field.

Crissy Field

(8) San Fra…, CA
gem Favorite Black Star Waterfall (dry)

Black Star Waterfall

(3) Foothil…, CA
gem Favorite Towhead Lake

Towhead Lake

(3) Happy Camp, CA
gem Favorite California popies on the Earthquake Trail

Earthquake Trail

(3) Lagunit…, CA
gem Favorite To preserve this historic area, visitors are limited to the National Park Service guided tours. Photo Credit: NPS/Lian Law.

Keys Ranch

(3) Twentyn…, CA
gem Favorite View from the top of Mount Eddy.

Mount Eddy Summit

(3) Mount S…, CA
gem Favorite Ropi Lake Sunset

Ropi Lake

(4) South L…, CA
gem Favorite College Cove Beach is a must-see on the North Coast.

College Cove Beach

(3) Westhav…, CA
gem Favorite Cooper Canyon Falls in late spring.

Cooper Canyon Falls

(9) Wrightwood, CA
gem Favorite View from the trail

Wall Street Mill

(8) Twentyn…, CA
gem Favorite The entrance to the Moreno adobe from the trailhead. One of the many picnic tables can be seen in the background.

Santa Rosa Plateau Adobes

(7) Murrieta, CA
gem Favorite Kelso Dunes

Kelso Dunes

(7) Needles, CA
gem Favorite View from behind the sign overlooking Hollywood Reservoir.

Hollywood Sign

(8) Hollywo…, CA
gem Favorite Tunnel Log, Sequoia National Park.

Tunnel Log

(12) Three R…, CA
gem Favorite Golden Gate Bridge from Fort Baker

Fort Baker

(5) Sausalito, CA
gem Favorite Gigant Forest Museum

Giant Forest Museum

(9) Three R…, CA
gem Favorite Balanced rock, viewable from afar as well as up close like this. Very cool landmark.

Echo Cliffs and Balanced Rock

(4) Casa Co…, CA
gem Favorite A beautiful rock face to the north west of Ryan Ranch.

Ryan Ranch

(4) Twentyn…, CA
gem Favorite Marshland

Limantour Beach

(4) Inverness, CA
gem Favorite Looking towards Pedro Point Headlands. The grade line for a train that went around the headlands is still visible. The route was quickly abandoned because the land is too unstable to be maintained.

San Pedro Rock

(2) Pacifica, CA
gem Favorite The Approach to Calico Peak

Calico Peak

(2) Barstow, CA
gem Favorite Looking up from the base of Kings Creek Falls.

Kings Creek Falls

(2) Chester, CA
gem Favorite Arch Rock and some of the formations around it. The soft granite in the surrounding area has been scoured by the wind.

Arch Rock

(1) Mammoth…, CA
gem Favorite The Doran Canyon Double Arches

Doran Double Arches

(1) Barstow, CA
gem Favorite Grey Whale Cove, rocks and waves

Gray Whale Cove State Beach

(1) Montara, CA
gem Favorite Sunset Rock at sunset.

Sunset Rock

(5) Three R…, CA
gem Favorite Half Dome and Glacier Point are just two of the highlights from Yosemite Point.

Lost Arrow

(1) Yosemit…, CA
gem Favorite Travertine pools from above.

Travertine Pools

(1) Montecito, CA
gem Favorite Redwood Cabin.

Redwood Cabin

(1) Three R…, CA
gem Favorite Fleener Chimney. Good thing they have a guardrail...

Fleener Chimneys

(1) Tulelake, CA
gem Favorite Mill Creek Falls from an observation platform in the early spring.

Mill Creek Falls

(1) Shingle…, CA
gem Favorite Under the Golden Gate, near Hopper's Hands.

Hopper's Hands

(1) Sausalito, CA
gem Favorite Looking up from the bottom of Foresta Falls.

Foresta Falls

(5) Yosemit…, CA
gem Favorite View of Lukens Lake from the far side of the lake.

Lukens Lake View

(1) Yosemit…, CA
gem Favorite Chagoopa Falls plunges off 1,200 foot cliffs to land in the Kern River below on the Kern Canyon floor.

Chagoopa Falls

(1) Lone Pine, CA
gem Favorite Beginning of the Trail

Cottonwood Spring Oasis

(10) Indio, CA
gem Favorite Emerald Bay in the morning light.

Vikingsholm

(4) South L…, CA
gem Favorite View back Panum Crater Trail

Panum Crater

(4) Mammoth…, CA
gem Favorite Trinidad Memorial Lighthouse at Old Home Beach trailhead.

Trinidad Memorial Lighthouse

(4) Westhav…, CA
gem Favorite Klamath Beach Trail traverses a verdant forest rife with undergrowth before popping out on the beach.

Klamath Beach and Estuary

(5) Bertsch…, CA
gem Favorite Old Point Loma Lighthouse

Old Point Loma Lighthouse

(5) Coronado, CA
gem Favorite Scenic walk along Bass Lake.

Bass Lake

(3) Bolinas, CA
gem Favorite Murphy Ranch

Murphy Ranch

(7) Santa M…, CA
gem Favorite The view east from Sunrise High Sierra Camp

Sunrise High Sierra Campsite

(4) Yosemit…, CA
gem Favorite Fairyland Amusement Park

Children's Fairyland

(4) Oakland, CA
gem Favorite That's the goal!

Kent Lake

(2) Lagunit…, CA
gem Favorite Watching the sunset at the end of the trail is one of the most amazing scenes I've encountered.

Megwil Point

(2) Westhav…, CA
gem Favorite A hiker admires the top of Fossil Falls.

Fossil Falls

(2) Inyokern, CA
gem Favorite Kings Creek cascades down steeply and swiftly as Kings Creek Cascades Foot Trail climbs the stairs next to the creek. Beautiful mountain views into the distance to the east here.

Kings Creek Cascades

(2) Chester, CA
gem Favorite Enjoying Ocean Beach on a rare, sunny day.

Ocean Beach

(4) San Fra…, CA
gem Favorite No Photos

Hidden Falls

(5) Yosemit…, CA
gem Favorite Azalea Lake

Azalea Lake

(2) Happy Camp, CA
gem Favorite Anton Knechtel (1823-1903) gravesite at sunset, enclosed by a new wood picket fence.

Anton Knechtel Gravesite

(1) Del Mar, CA

Recommended Routes in California - 727

Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. Add Your Recommended Routes

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Favorite Sunset from junction of Lower Bald Mtn Trail and Bald Mountain Trail
Intermediate/Difficult

Bald Mountain Loop

7.0 mi 11.2 km • 1,794' Up 546.68 m Up • 1,798' Down 547.92 m Down

Kenwood, CA
RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Favorite Sunset from junction of Lower Bald Mtn Trail and Bald Mountain Trail
Intermediate

Vista Loop Trail

3.6 mi 5.8 km • 772' Up 235.21 m Up • 739' Down 225.37 m Down

Kenwood, CA
RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Favorite Tule elk male, Tule Elk Reserve, Tomales Bay
Intermediate

Tomales Point Trail

9.8 mi 15.7 km • 996' Up 303.54 m Up • 996' Down 303.53 m Down

Inverness, CA
RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Favorite Pinus muricata (Bishop Pine)
Intermediate

Jepson-Johnstone Beaches Loop

4.2 mi 6.7 km • 636' Up 193.87 m Up • 679' Down 206.99 m Down

Inverness, CA
RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Favorite Coast Trail Doubletrack
Intermediate

Laguna and Coast Loop

5.1 mi 8.2 km • 362' Up 110.37 m Up • 348' Down 106.19 m Down

Inverness, CA
RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Favorite End of Bear Valley Trail at Arch Rock
Intermediate/Difficult

Mount Wittenberg and Bear Valley Loop

13.8 mi 22.2 km • 1,648' Up 502.38 m Up • 1,653' Down 503.91 m Down

Inverness, CA
RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Favorite Atop Alamere Falls
Intermediate

Palomarin to Alamere Falls Out and Back

8.3 mi 13.3 km • 991' Up 302.15 m Up • 991' Down 302.09 m Down

Bolinas, CA
RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Favorite View of the first estuary
Intermediate

Estero to Sunset Beach

8.1 mi 13.0 km • 623' Up 189.9 m Up • 623' Down 189.9 m Down

Inverness, CA
RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Favorite Looking north from Barnabe Fire Road in Samuel P Taylor Park
Intermediate/Difficult

Barnabe Peak Out and Back

4.4 mi 7.0 km • 1,279' Up 389.71 m Up • 1,279' Down 389.81 m Down

Lagunit…, CA

California Hiking

  • 16,473 Miles 26,510 Kilometers of Trail
  • 727 Recommended Routes
  • 157 Gems Gems
  • 1,937 Easy Trails Easy Trails
  • 4,620 Intermediate Trails Intermediate Trails
  • 1,188 Difficult Trails Difficult Trails
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Areas Within California

Trails in California - 7,018

Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. Add Your Trails

135.2 mi 217.5 km #1PCT: Belden to Burney Falls State Park
Intermediate
Quincy, CA
Intermediate
Quincy, CA 0 
100.6 mi 161.9 km #2PCT: Highway 5 to Etna Summit
Easy/Intermediate
Dunsmuir, CA
Easy/Intermediate
Dunsmuir, CA 2 
8.6 mi 13.9 km #3Heart Lake Trail
Intermediate
Shingletown, CA
Intermediate
Shingletown, CA 0 
1.6 mi 2.6 km #4Osgood Ditch Trail #1276
Easy/Intermediate
Cave Junction, OR
Easy/Intermediate
Cave Junction, OR 2 
2.4 mi 3.8 km #5Bay Area Ridge Trail: Hiddenbrooke Trail
Intermediate
American Canyon, CA
Intermediate
American Canyon, CA 1 
2.4 mi 3.8 km #6Crags Trail
Intermediate/Difficult
Dunsmuir, CA
Intermediate/Difficult
Dunsmuir, CA 4 
1.6 mi 2.5 km #7Root Creek Trail
Intermediate
Dunsmuir, CA
Intermediate
Dunsmuir, CA 0 
2.4 mi 3.9 km #8Rocky Pool Trail
Easy
Forest Ranch, CA
Easy
Forest Ranch, CA 1 
1.2 mi 2.0 km #9Big Leaf Pool Trail
Easy
Magalia, CA
Easy
Magalia, CA 1 
0.6 mi 1.0 km #10Subway Cave Interpretive Loop
Easy/Intermediate
Burney, CA
Easy/Intermediate
Burney, CA 1 

Photos of California - 12,661

Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. Add Your Photos

Vernal Fall mistin' the rainbow
May 7, 2015 near Yosemit…, CA
Yosemite Valley
Aug 25, 2015 near Yosemit…, CA
Berkeley REI Employees Volunteering in Yosemite.
Nov 12, 2015 near Yosemit…, CA
September sunset over Lake Tenaya in Yosemite National Park.
Apr 12, 2016 near Yosemit…, CA
The views are breathtaking.
May 19, 2016 near Yosemit…, CA
Such an incredible spot in Yosemite. Clouds Rest is appropriately named with 360 views of the park including Half Dome.
May 26, 2016 near Yosemit…, CA
The most amazing views await you at the top!
Jan 27, 2017 near Yosemit…, CA
The top of Nevada Falls is the best place on earth.
Mar 31, 2017 near Yosemit…, CA