Best running trails in California
Ranked by the runners who actually run there — Google rating weighted by review volume, across 1,501,952 reviews of California trails. A trail needs at least 25 reviews to qualify (1,448 in California do) and each name appears once. Nobody pays for a place. Updated 2026.
The 20 below run across 18 cities, 4 of them paved, 5 loops, 6 shaded, and 3 with a stated distance. This is a popularity ranking, not a difficulty score — for what a trail is actually like underfoot, open its page for surface, loop distance, shade, lighting, restrooms and parking.
San Bernardino National Forest
4.7 ★★★★★ 18,077 reviews
Mountain destination for outdoor recreation, with scenic roads, multi-use trails & camping.
Dockweiler Beach
4.5 ★★★★★ 17,090 reviews
Bustling public beach offering a hang gliding training park, bonfires & views of departing aircraft.
Beverly Hills Garden Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 14,308 reviews
Expansive, tree-filled park with fountains & jogging paths plus cacti & rose gardens.
Whittier Narrows Recreation Area
4.6 ★★★★★ 9,400 reviews
Diverse sports, 3 lakes, a military museum, shooting ranges, horse center, disc golf & urban farm.
Huntington State Beach
4.7 ★★★★★ 9,154 reviews
A popular surfing destination, this sandy 121-acre beach also offers a 8.5-mi. paved trail.
Sunset Cliffs Natural Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 8,856 reviews
Natural cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean offer views of the coast & the occasional cliff diver.
Palisades Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 8,100 reviews
This sizable strip of grass, palm trees & walking trails features expansive ocean views.
Mission Trails Regional Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 7,818 reviews
8,000-acre recreational park featuring 60 miles of trails, along with a lake for boating & camping.
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
4.7 ★★★★★ 7,267 reviews
500+ miles of flat & mountainous hiking trails through coastal chaparral, with views & picnic stops.
Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area
4.7 ★★★★★ 7,237 reviews
This 308-acre park features a Japanese garden, a workout course, athletic fields & scenic trails.
Central Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 7,192 reviews
Lakeside park with a golf course, 4 playgrounds, boat rentals, a fishing area, picnic sites & paths.
Mile Square Regional Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 6,896 reviews
City park offering 3 golf courses, soccer fields & baseball diamonds as well as picknicking & lakes.
William Land Regional Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 6,789 reviews
Sizable park offering many amenities, including a zoo, amphitheater, golf course & ball fields.
El Dorado East Regional Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 5,724 reviews
Expansive outdoor area with fishing lakes, bike trails, camping, an archery range & a nature center.
Hilltop Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 5,221 reviews
Compact green space offering panoramic vistas, BBQ & picnic areas & walking paths.
Dinosaur Caves Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 5,055 reviews
A grassy lawn, playground & walking trails mark this 11-acre park situated atop oceanfront bluffs.
South Gate Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 5,004 reviews
City park with a sports center & swim stadium, plus playgrounds, playing fields & other recreations.
McKinley Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 4,634 reviews
Relaxing preserve featuring a rose garden, seasonal pool, playgrounds, tennis courts & trails.
Rancho San Antonio County Park & Open Space Preserve
4.7 ★★★★★ 4,535 reviews
Rural nature preserve with 25 miles of hiking trails, plus a working farm & a model plane launch.
The Park at River Walk
4.7 ★★★★★ 4,426 reviews
32-acre park with an amphitheater surrounded by water featuring various live music performances.
Where these trails are
The cities in this ranking, if you'd rather start from where you live.
- Running trails in Big Bear, CA
- Running trails in Playa Del Rey, CA
- Running trails in Beverly Hills, CA
- Running trails in South El Monte, CA
- Running trails in Huntington Beach, CA
- Running trails in San Diego, CA
- Running trails in Santa Monica, CA
- Running trails in Calabasas, CA
- Running trails in Los Angeles, CA
- Running trails in Fremont, CA
- Running trails in Fountain Valley, CA
- Running trails in Sacramento, CA
- Running trails in Long Beach, CA
- Running trails in Signal Hill, CA
- Running trails in Pismo Beach, CA
- Running trails in South Gate, CA
- Running trails in Cupertino, CA
- Running trails in Bakersfield, CA
All 3,600 trails in California → Best trails in other states →