This guide covers 8 beginner hiking trails across California with under 600 feet of elevation gain, organized by region: Bay Area, Southern California, and Central Coast & Northern trails.
Each trail includes surface type, restroom access, and time estimates calibrated for hikers aged 50-65.
We prioritized stable surfaces and accessible facilities based on California State Parks and National Park Service data.
Trail Directory: Quick Comparison
| Trail Name | Best For | Essential Stat |
|---|---|---|
| Muir Woods Main Loop | Redwood forests | 2.0 mi / Paved |
| Lands End Coastal | Ocean cliffs | 3.4 mi / Paved |
| Phoenix Lake Loop | Lake scenery | 2.8 mi / Dirt (packed) |
| Solstice Canyon | Waterfall hikes | 3.0 mi / Dirt (packed) |
| La Jolla Coast Walk | Beach access | 1.8 mi / Paved |
| Runyon Canyon Loop | City views | 3.0 mi / Dirt |
| Point Lobos Cypress | Marine wildlife | 0.8 mi / Paved |
| McArthur-Burney Falls | Waterfall views | 1.2 mi / Paved |
How to use: Scan for trails matching your interests. Essential Stats show distance and surface type, both critical for joint safety.
Quick Answers
- Paved trails for knee concerns: Muir Woods, Lands End, La Jolla Coast Walk, Point Lobos, McArthur-Burney Falls.
- Reservations required: Muir Woods (strict advance booking), Point Lobos (weekends recommended).
- Best for first-timers: Muir Woods, Point Lobos, McArthur-Burney Falls.
- Moderate challenge after 5+ hikes: Runyon Canyon, Phoenix Lake Loop.
Bay Area Trails
Bay Area trails offer year-round access with coastal fog keeping summer temps 15-20°F cooler. See beginner trails in the Bay Area for comprehensive regional coverage.
Muir Woods Main Loop
The Quick Take: World-class redwood experience on flat paved surfaces for joint-conscious hikers seeking iconic California scenery.
Logistics & Technical Specs:
- 2.0 mi Loop | 200 ft | 1 hour 15 min (age 50-65)
- Surface: Paved (boardwalk sections) | Knee: 5/5 | Shade: Full (95%)
- Restrooms: Trailhead and midpoint | Cell: Good
- Parking: $15 fee, advance reservation required
- Mill Valley, CA (12 mi from San Francisco)
Explorer’s Safety Insight: Paved boardwalk eliminates fall risk from roots and rocks while full shade keeps temperatures 15-20°F cooler than exposed trails. Reservation system prevents overcrowding that creates safety issues on narrow boardwalk sections.
Best For: First-time hikers, knee concerns, heat sensitivity, wheelchair accessibility, photographers.
Avoid If: You want solitude (heavily visited), you’re seeking elevation challenge.
Tip: Arrive at your reserved time slot to avoid crowds that peak 10am-2pm.
Muir Woods website | Reserve parking
Lands End Coastal
The Quick Take: Dramatic Pacific views with seal sightings on paved paths linking historic sites and coastal access points.
Logistics & Technical Specs:
- 3.4 mi Out-and-back | 300 ft | 2 hours (age 50-65)
- Surface: Paved | Knee: 5/5 | Shade: Minimal (20%)
- Restrooms: Trailhead only | Cell: Excellent
- Parking: Free street parking (limited), paid lot available
- San Francisco, CA (8 mi from downtown)
Explorer’s Safety Insight: Paved surface provides ocean cliff access without hiking fitness requirements. Morning fog reduces sun exposure but creates slippery conditions on stairs near water.
Best For: Ocean views, wildlife watching, urban hiking, accessible trails, cooler weather hiking.
Avoid If: You need shade (minimal coverage), afternoon heat sensitivity (exposed coastal path).
Tip: Start at Lands End Lookout for restroom access and easier parking than Sutro Baths trailhead.
Golden Gate National Parks website
“Start with trails under 300 feet of elevation gain for your first five hikes.”
Phoenix Lake Loop
The Quick Take: Shaded lake scenery on packed dirt trails offering moderate challenge for hikers ready to progress beyond paved paths.
Logistics & Technical Specs:
- 2.8 mi Loop | 450 ft | 2 hours 15 min (age 50-65)
- Surface: Dirt (packed, some roots) | Knee: 3/5 | Shade: Partial (60%)
- Restrooms: Trailhead only | Cell: Good
- Parking: Free, fills by 9am weekends
- Ross, CA (15 mi from San Francisco)
Explorer’s Safety Insight: Packed dirt with exposed roots requires careful footing, especially on descents where most ankle sprains happen. Partial shade keeps summer temps manageable but doesn’t eliminate heat exposure.
Best For: Progressing to natural surfaces, lake scenery, dog-friendly hiking, local favorite with less crowds.
Avoid If: You’re limited to paved surfaces, you have significant knee concerns, you’re hiking in afternoon summer heat.
Tip: Counterclockwise direction provides gentler ascent with lake views as reward.
Southern California Trails
Southern California trails offer year-round hiking with Mediterranean climate but require morning starts May through October. See beginner trails in Southern California and easy trails near Los Angeles for regional depth.
Solstice Canyon
The Quick Take: Shaded canyon hike leading to waterfall ruins, combining natural beauty with historical interest on packed dirt paths.
Logistics & Technical Specs:
- 3.0 mi Out-and-back | 400 ft | 2 hours 15 min (age 50-65)
- Surface: Dirt (packed) | Knee: 4/5 | Shade: Partial (70%)
- Restrooms: Trailhead only | Cell: Good
- Parking: Free, $10 lot fee at nearby beach
- Malibu, CA (30 mi from Los Angeles)
Explorer’s Safety Insight: Canyon shade keeps temperatures 15°F cooler than exposed coastal trails, critical for summer hiking safety. Creek crossings require stable footing but have stepping stones in normal conditions.
Best For: Waterfall destinations, historical ruins, shaded summer hiking, moderate elevation progression.
Avoid If: You need paved surfaces, you’re hiking after heavy rain (creek crossings), you want ocean views.
Tip: Hike mornings May through September when canyon shade is most effective for heat management.
Santa Monica Mountains Parks website
“If temperatures will exceed 85°F during your hike, reschedule. Heat safety outweighs pushing through.”
La Jolla Coast Walk
The Quick Take: Short paved coastal stroll with seal colony viewing and tide pool access, minimal elevation for maximum scenery.
Logistics & Technical Specs:
- 1.8 mi Out-and-back | 100 ft | 1 hour (age 50-65)
- Surface: Paved | Knee: 5/5 | Shade: None
- Restrooms: Multiple locations along route | Cell: Excellent
- Parking: Paid lots and metered street parking
- La Jolla, CA (12 mi from San Diego)
Explorer’s Safety Insight: Zero shade requires morning timing year-round, especially June through October when afternoon temps regularly hit mid-80s. Maintain 50-foot distance from seals per federal wildlife protection laws.
Best For: First hike, marine wildlife viewing, accessible oceanfront, photographers, short duration.
Avoid If: You’re hiking midday summer (no shade), you want elevation challenge, you need solitude.
Tip: Arrive before 9am for easier parking and cooler conditions, especially May through October.
Runyon Canyon Loop
The Quick Take: Urban mountain hike with downtown Los Angeles skyline views, offering moderate challenge on natural dirt trails popular with locals.
Logistics & Technical Specs:
- 3.0 mi Loop | 575 ft | 2 hours 30 min (age 50-65)
- Surface: Dirt (loose sections) | Knee: 2/5 | Shade: Minimal (15%)
- Restrooms: Trailhead only | Cell: Excellent
- Parking: Free street parking (very limited), paid lots nearby
- Hollywood, CA (3 mi from downtown Los Angeles)
Explorer’s Safety Insight: This trail pushes into moderate territory with 575 feet elevation gain. Save this for after completing five easier hikes to build cardiovascular fitness. Minimal shade and urban heat island effect create dangerous conditions above 85°F.
Best For: City views, progressing to moderate difficulty, dog-friendly hiking, urban accessibility.
Avoid If: This is your first five hikes, you have significant knee concerns (loose dirt and steep sections), you’re hiking May through September afternoons.
Tip: Start at Fuller Avenue entrance for less crowded access and counterclockwise loop for gradual ascent.
Central Coast & Northern Trails
These regions offer dramatic coastal scenery and volcanic landscapes with cooler temperatures than Southern California. See beginner trails in Northern California for regional depth.
Point Lobos Cypress
The Quick Take: Short paved loop through ancient cypress groves with marine wildlife viewing, maximum accessibility for iconic California coastline.
Logistics & Technical Specs:
- 0.8 mi Loop | 50 ft | 30 min (age 50-65)
- Surface: Paved | Knee: 5/5 | Shade: Partial (40%)
- Restrooms: Parking area and midpoint | Cell: Good
- Parking: $10 day use fee, weekend reservations recommended
- Carmel, CA (4 mi from Carmel-by-the-Sea, 120 mi from San Francisco)
Explorer’s Safety Insight: Minimal elevation and distance make this ideal for testing hiking readiness without significant commitment. Coastal winds keep temps comfortable but require windbreaker layer year-round.
Best For: First hike, testing fitness, marine wildlife, wheelchair accessible sections, photographers.
Avoid If: You want significant distance, you’re seeking elevation challenge, you need guaranteed solitude.
Tip: Reserve weekend parking online to guarantee entry, especially during whale migration December through April.
Point Lobos Reserve website | Reserve parking
“Most ankle sprains happen on descents, not climbs. Slow down going downhill.”
McArthur-Burney Falls
The Quick Take: Paved path to 129-foot waterfall in Northern California’s volcanic landscape, combining accessibility with dramatic natural features.
Logistics & Technical Specs:
- 1.2 mi Loop | 150 ft | 45 min (age 50-65)
- Surface: Paved | Knee: 5/5 | Shade: Partial (50%)
- Restrooms: Trailhead and multiple locations | Cell: Spotty
- Parking: $10 day use fee
- Burney, CA (6 mi from Burney, 290 mi from San Francisco)
Explorer’s Safety Insight: Higher elevation (3,000 feet) provides natural cooling, keeping temps 10-15°F lower than valley locations. Paved surface with handrails on steep sections eliminates fall risk while accessing waterfall base.
Best For: Waterfall destinations, summer heat escape, accessible dramatic scenery, family hiking.
Avoid If: You want extended distance, you’re seeking solitude (popular destination), you need urban proximity.
Tip: Visit June through September for maximum waterfall flow and warmest weather at this higher elevation.
McArthur-Burney Falls State Park website
How to Choose Your First California Trail
Elevation gain drives cardiovascular demand more than distance. A 3-mile flat trail requires less from your heart and lungs than a 2-mile trail with 400 feet of climbing. Start with trails under 300 feet of elevation gain for your first five hikes to build hiking-specific fitness.
Surface type matters for joint safety. Paved trails like Muir Woods and La Jolla eliminate the ankle-twisting hazards of roots and rocks while you develop trail confidence. According to the Wilderness Medicine Society, stable surfaces significantly reduce fall risk for adults over 50.
Layering matters for California’s temperature swings. Coastal trails can start at 50°F with fog and reach 75°F by afternoon. Our guide to what to wear on your first hike covers season-by-season clothing choices for California conditions.
California’s Mediterranean climate creates regional timing considerations. Bay Area coastal fog keeps summer temperatures manageable year-round. Southern California trails require morning starts May through October when afternoon temps regularly exceed 85°F. Check when to hike in California by month for seasonal planning.
Use the “Best For” and “Avoid If” sections to match trails to your specific concerns. If knee health is your priority, focus on the 5/5 rated trails with paved surfaces.
If you’re ready to progress beyond pavement after several hikes, Phoenix Lake and Solstice Canyon offer packed dirt with manageable elevation. Learn more about California hiking safety considerations including heat, fire season, and wildlife awareness.
Medical Disclaimer: This site provides general hiking information, not medical advice. Consult your healthcare provider before starting any new physical activity, especially if you have existing health conditions, are over 50, or have been sedentary.
About BackpackJudge: BackpackJudge creates beginner hiking content for adults 40-70, prioritizing stable surfaces, accessible facilities, and realistic expectations for mature beginners. Information compiled from parks data, outdoor recreation resources, and hiking safety guidelines. Conditions and recommendations may change. Always verify current information from official sources before making decisions.
