I didn’t really start hiking until I was in my 30’s. I grew up in India and as a child the concept of recreating outdoors wasn’t in our culture. Things have changed now of course, but back then, going outdoors just meant going outside the apartment complex I lived in to go play badminton with the neighbors! 

I immigrated to the US with my parents when I was 12 but my folks were too busy rebuilding to think about camping and hiking. As an adult once I started working, I met friends who introduced me to hiking and backpacking. My first backpacking trip was in Inyo National Forest and that’s when my love for the outdoors began.

The pandemic further accelerated the time I spent in the outdoors, and I really got to explore California much more during that time! I’ve built a list of the best hiking trails (with varying difficulty levels) from my explorations of the state and have included a comprehensive checklist for you to check off as you explore California.

Whether you’re new to the state or if you live in California and just want to get to know the trails better, this list will help you truly immerse yourself in the state’s diverse landscapes!