01
Best overall pick
Signal Hill Trail
Signal Hill • Urban Hilltop Trail Network • Local Favorite
A short but rewarding loop that strings together park paths and viewpoints with big skylines and sea breezes.
Starting from Hilltop Park, the Signal Hill Trail gives you a surprisingly expansive sweep of Long Beach, the port, and on clear days even Catalina. The route mixes sidewalks, dirt paths, and stairways, so it feels like a true walk through the hill rather than a single out-and-back. Come at golden hour if you want to see why locals treat this as their go-to quick hike and sunset spot.
02
Best coastal stroll
Long Beach Shoreline Bike Path
Downtown Long Beach Waterfront • Paved Coastal Path • Easy Sunset Stroll
A wide, flat oceanfront path ideal for relaxed walking with beach views, sea air, and plenty of people-watching.
Just a few minutes downhill from Signal Hill, the Shoreline path runs along the sand with clear views of the bay, Queen Mary, and offshore islands. It is fully paved and mostly flat, making it an easy choice for casual walkers, mixed-ability groups, or anyone pushing a stroller. Start near Shoreline Village or Junipero Beach and walk as far as you like before turning back for a seaside coffee or taco stop.
03
Best family-friendly loop
El Dorado Park Nature Trail
East Long Beach • Shaded Park Nature Loop • Family-Friendly Nature Walk
A mellow loop through trees, ponds, and meadows that feels surprisingly quiet for being right inside the city.
El Dorado Park’s nature area offers a soft-dirt trail that winds past duck-filled ponds, tall grasses, and cottonwoods, with plenty of benches and interpretive signs. The terrain is mostly flat, so kids and casual walkers can enjoy the feeling of being in a mini refuge without committing to a big climb. Go early or near dusk for cooler temperatures and more wildlife activity, especially birds and turtles around the water.
04
Best for birdwatching
Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve Trail
Huntington Beach Wetlands • Coastal Wetlands Wildlife Area • Birdwatching Escape
A network of easy dirt and levee trails looping around tidal wetlands rich with shorebirds and coastal views.
About a 20–25 minute drive from Signal Hill, Bolsa Chica’s flat paths take you over bridges and along levees with open views of the marsh and ocean beyond. It is one of Southern California’s standout birding spots, so bring binoculars if you have them and expect to see everything from egrets to pelicans. The lack of shade means it can get hot and bright, so a hat, sunscreen, and an earlier start are smart choices.
05
Most scenic climb
Burma Road & Ishibashi Trail Loop
Palos Verdes Peninsula • Steep Coastal Canyon Loop • Scenic Workout Climb
A more demanding loop that rewards steady climbing with open Pacific views, cliffs, and sweeping coastal scenery.
Set in the Portuguese Bend Reserve, this loop combines the wide Burma Road fire road with narrower singletrack like Ishibashi for a proper workout. The grades are steady and can feel tough in spots, but the payoff is big: rolling green hills in winter and spring, and wide-open ocean vistas year-round. Trails here can be rutted and dusty and may close after heavy rain, so check conditions and wear shoes with decent grip.