23 Must-Do Outdoor Activities in CALIFORNIA (Bucket List)

There are many fun things to do in the Golden State; some are indoor activities, while others are outdoors. 

Many outdoor activities can be done in California, and while some of them are strenuous, like hiking, others are relaxing, like watching nature. 

In California, you can experience various fun activities, from swimming at the beach to surfing in the ocean. 

You can also visit many places to give you an outdoorsy fun experience. 

Whether you are a California local or are just visiting the state for some fun, there are many activities you can take part in. 

Keep reading to know the activity you want to try out next.

And by the way, you may also want to check out the best Family Activities in California.

Outdoor Activities in Los Angeles, California

1. Bike Ride Through Santa Barbara Wine Country (Vineyard Biking Experience)

This place in Santa Barbara is fondly called The Wine Country by locals and tourists alike because of the high number of wineries in the area. 

Since there are so many wineries in the region, it also explains that there are many orchards in the area.

This unique topography makes the wine country ideal for bikers to enjoy biking in the region.

There are many tours of tasting rooms, wineries, and orchards; exploring these places on a bike is very nice.

Since it is a common hobby around this region, renting a bike and biking around the wine country is easy, whether by yourself or with a tour guide.

Some typical wineries to visit are Fess Parker, Alma Rosa, Star Lane, and many others.

Location: Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, California

2. Jet Ski Along The Santa Monica Coastline (Safe Coastal Jet Skiing)

The coastline is by Santa Monica State Beach, a beach in California that is well-loved and visited by locals and tourists.

Although it is not advisable to swim in the ocean, people can play by the beach and rent jet skis to jet ski along the coastline.

You are not allowed to go deep into the ocean since it is not so safe, so you can jet ski along places of the ocean that is relatively close to the beach under the guard eyes of lifeguards.

Jet skiing is an enjoyable activity guaranteed to loosen you up while ensuring you have a lot of fun.

Many rental agencies rent jet skis along the coast of Santa Monica Beach because of how engaging and fun it is.

Location: Santa Monica, Los Angeles, California

3. Take A Hot Air Balloon Ride In Temecula (Relaxing Balloon Rides)

Temecula is a city in California famous for its hot air balloon rides, which tourists enjoy very much.

Because of how famous it is, many companies show people the city of Los Angeles from another angle, that is, from the sky.

You could take a hot balloon ride on a regular day or schedule your ride on a particular day, making your day ten times better.

People regularly book hot air balloon rides when planning special events such as proposals, engagements, or birthdays.

The spectacular view of seeing hundreds of balloons in the air is very scenic for the viewer, whether the person is looking from a balloon or the ground.

This is one of the outdoor activities that do not drain energy and can be very relaxing.

Location: Temecula, California

4. Climb The Kelso Dunes (Desert Climbing With Views)

The Kelso Dune Fields in the Mojave Desert are perfect for hiking and climbing in the sand.

You can hike and climb the numerous dunes at this sand field, protected and maintained by the Mojave Natural Preserve.

It is important to note that this place is usually sweltering because it is part of a desert, so it is essential to take a lot of water and carry water along before you begin your hike.

Also, there are a lot of decidedly unusual insects, so when climbing at Kelso Dunes, you have to pay attention to keep yourself safe from these insects you are not familiar with.

When climbing at Kelso Dunes, it is a safe option to park your vehicle at a distance just a short distance from where you will be climbing in case you get exhausted fast.

Location: Los Angeles, California

Also see our article on Dog-friendly Activities in California.

Outdoor Activities in Venice, California

1. Surf at Venice Beach (Popular Surfing at Breakwater)

Venice is a town in California famous for its beach and canals; many people even call it a beach town.

It is a perfect place to spend the day at the beach, playing with the sand or in the water.

There are many places that you can choose to surf at Venice Beach, and some of these places are Breakwater and The Pier.

Breakwater is the more famous option, with many locals visiting the beach to surf at that spot; also, many tourists come to Venice to surf at this point because of how popular it is.

Asides surfing, other things to do at Venice Beach are skating, cycling, etc.

Since surfing is an energy-draining activity, you must remember that you must get food when surfing; at Venice Beach, there are many places where you can get energy-fueling food after a rigorous hobby like surfing.

Location: Venice, California

2. Golf at Penmar Golf Course  (9-Hole Course, Nationally Recognized)

This golf course is located close to Venice Beach and is a nationally recognized golf course in Los Angeles.

The Los Angeles Magazine awarded the course the Best Nine Hole Golf Course in California.

It is the perfect place to go if you know how to play golf and want to spend a fun day outdoors with friends putting your balls into holes.

Golfing is a great sport that people can play together, and since it is not so rigorous, it goes along well with good conversation and friendly dibs.

Although formerly known as a game for mostly the older generation, golf is no longer limited to any age bracket, so people of all ages can participate in this fun outdoor activity.

Address: 1233 Rose Ave, Venice, CA 90291, United States

3. Bike with Venice Bike Tours (Private or Public Biking)

Venice is not only a city by the beach where every outdoor activity involves water; certain things can be done at the beach but do not require water.

Biking is one of them; Venice has several bike tours that residents can join and enjoy.

The bike tours involve moving with a trail of people to certain places with a tour guide who points out specific famous areas in Venice as part of the tour.

Venice Beach Bike Tours can be a private or public biking experience.

The private biking experience involves a three-hour bike tour where the tour guide takes you through Venice like a local, so you get to know the nitty-gritty of the area.

While the public tour involves the tour guide taking you to all the famous places in Venice and giving you and many other people detailed explanations of each of these places like tourists.

Location: Venice, California

4. Skate at the boardwalk (Skateboarding in Venice Culture)

Another thing to do while in Venice is to occupy yourself with skating; whether you already know how to skate or are an absolute beginner, the boardwalk at Venice Beach is the perfect place to have fun with fellow skateboarders or learn to skate if you are a complete beginner.

The Venice Beach Boardwalk is a two-mile strip parallel to Venice Beach, where people gather to play many sports.

These activities can include football, skating, hiking, and cycling.

Many attractions along the Venice Boardwalk include the Venice Beach Skatepark, the Venice Art Wall, Muscle Beach Venice, and many volleyball courts.

The public skatepark in Venice Beach is where many skateboarding activities have occurred; all these have made it a common name in the skateboarding culture in California.

Location: Venice, California

Also see our article on Indoor Activities in California.

Outdoor Activities in San Francisco, California

1. Hike along Lands End Trail (Moderate Trail With Scenic Views)

This is a moderately challenging loop trail at the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. 

The trail, which takes about one and a half hours to complete, is a piece of cake for experienced hikers but can be very different for inexperienced hikers.

Since Lands End Trail is a popular area for walking, running, and hiking, you are very likely to encounter other people while on this trail since it is used for other activities asides from hiking.

It is a pet-friendly trail, and you do not have to put your dog on a leash, especially if it is well-mannered.

While on the trail, you can see various side attractions, such as the Pacific Ocean, the Golden Gate Bridge, Fort Miley, Mile Rock Bridge, the visitor’s center, the USS San Francisco Memorial, and other side attractions.

Although there is usually no tour guide, you can download a trail map to stay aware of some places.

Location: San Francisco, California

2. Enjoy tours at Himalayan High Treks (Unique Worldwide Travel Experiences)

This is a travel agency in San Francisco where you can get tours in different parts of the world.

It usually involves traveling to places in the Himalayans where you eventually get tours to experience the cultures properly.

The travel agency organizes the tours and treks schedule while ensuring you get the most out of your effort, money, and time.

With this agency, you can plan pilgrimages and custom trips comfortably and have all your questions answered before you drop a dime.

You also get a unique and authentic experience while at it.

The main difference you gain from joining a traveling agency rather than just traveling alone is that with Himalayan High Treks, you are a traveler rather than a tourist.

Address: 241 Dolores St, San Francisco, CA 94103, United States

3. Explore Japantown (Discover Japanese Culture in SF)

This place in San Francisco is known as Nihonmachi by natives and locals, and it is one of the world’s most significant Japanese American communities.

Japantown is the ideal place to explore Japanese culture without leaving the shores of America.

If you want to explore many cultures in the American culture, visiting Japantown will expose you to many things in the Japanese culture, such as their cuisine and shopping.

Japantown is one of those places in San Francisco where you get to see a lot of Japanese people, and you also get to enjoy a lot of Japanese food like ramen, sushi, and shabu-shabu.

Aside from the shopping and dining experiences, you can visit places like Japan, such as Asian-style spas, karaoke bars, and many others.

Location: San Francisco, California

4. Play at Golden Gate Park Archery Field (Free Archery For All Ages)

The Golden Gate Park is an urban park in San Francisco that has existed since the nineteenth century.

It is a vast park and one of California’s most visited parks.

Some of the attractions in the park include the AIDS Memorial Grove, Archery Field, Beach Chalet, Botanical Garden, Conservatory of Flowers, Japanese Tea Garden, and Kezar Stadium, among many other attractions.

You could decide to do various activities at these attractions; the archery field is where you can shoot arrows at targets and have fun while at it.

Whether a complete beginner or an experienced marksman, you can use the field for free and rent equipment nearby.

The archery field is open to people of every age.

However, it is essential to avoid hurting anybody or yourself when using an arrow.

Location: San Francisco, California

Also see our article on Playgrounds in California.

Outdoor Activities in Monterey, California

1. Kayak at Monterey Bay (Kayak Tours With Wildlife Views)

Kayaking is an outdoor activity that can be done in just about any body of water; Monterey Bay is where kayaking is very popular.

By Monterey Bay, you can rent kayaks and enjoy tours by professional kayakers; these tours can be private for a little party or public for a larger party.

While kayaking, you can choose to fish or enjoy kayaking by itself, as it is a fun activity by itself.

You also get to see some wildlife while kayaking at Monterey Bay; some sea animals you can find at this bay are seals, sea otters, birds, and other animals in the marine sanctuary.

At some kayak rental agencies, you have to make reservations before you rent anything; however, at other places, you can walk in and rent at once.

Location: Monterey, California

2. Bike across Monterey State Beach (Versatile Biking Along The Beach)

There is a protected beach area in Monterey that Monterey County covers and this beach extends all the way from Monterey to Seaside, it is the Monterey State Beach.

Like every beach, there are many activities you can do at Monterey State Beach, some of which include water-based activities like surfing or swimming.

Others, however, do not have anything to do with water, including biking and skating.

Biking is an everyday outdoor activity that people participate in on the beach.

It is a versatile exercise, and it can be competitive, when you race with others and, at the same time, relaxing, when you cycle by yourself at a steady pace.

Biking across Monterey Beach is fun if you find yourself in the area.

Location: Monterey, California

3. Walk across Monterey State Historic Park (Historical Park With Guided Tours)

The Monterey State Historical Park includes all of the Old Town Historic District in Monterey so, which means it contains all the historic buildings at Monterey and is the best place to visit if you are looking to understand the history of Monterey by walking around and reading about these landmark buildings.

Some buildings at the Monterey State Historical Park are the Custom House, Larkin House, First Brick House, Colton Hall, First Theater, Pacific House Museum, Casa Del Oro, and many others.

When walking across the Monterey State Historical Park, you get a tour guide who explains these buildings or a little explanation about them and their historical significance to Monterey.

Many of the buildings at this park are also listed as buildings with historical significance because of the roles that they have played in Monterey.

Address: 20 Custom House Plaza, Monterey, CA 93940, United States

4. Golf at Pebble Beach Golf Course (Public Golf With Stunning Views)

This golf course at Pebble Beach Pro Shop is an idyllic location to visit to play golf and is a place that has been listed to host several events in the coming years.

When planning to play golf at this location, it is essential to call ahead to ensure that the golf course is available for an extra party and has yet to be reserved for the time you want.

There are up to eighteen different holes you can play with, some of them ranging over five hundred yards.

Even though the golf course is public, people still have to pay to use the course.

The money paid to the course is used to maintain the beauty of the surroundings and support the numerous tournaments that have taken place on the golf course.

Address: 1700 17 Mile Dr, Pebble Beach, CA 93953, United States

Also see our article on Kayaking in California.

Outdoor Activities in San Diego, California

1. Explore Coronado Beach (Versatile Beach Activities)

This is a great beach to explore when you need a place to have many outdoor activities.

Beaches are a lot of fun and very versatile; you can enjoy having fun at the water or just spending time at the beach and enjoying that.

Coronado Beach in San Diego is a perfect place to surf, swim, sunbathe, or do anything that makes you feel good.

Water is known for being refreshing, so exploring the beach is a great outdoor activity that you can participate in.

In this body of water, you can swim, body surf when the waves are gentle, and spend time in a kayak or canoe when the waves become more.

Also, you can participate in surfing, boogie boarding, and paddle boarding when the waves are more, so you can use them for your benefit to experience more fun.

No matter the explore that you want to explore, smoking and alcohol usage is not allowed on the beach; nobody under the influence should come near the water to avoid accidents.

Location: San Diego, California

2. Surf at Swami’s (Protected Surfing Spot in Encinitas)

Swami’s is a popularly known surfing spot at Encinitas, San Diego, popular among locals and tourists for being a great place to enjoy surfing.

At this location, swami’s is the name of the beach, the reef in the water body, and the name of the nearby park in the same area. 

The reef is protected by the California Marine Life Protection Act, which covers all the sea life in the water; as such, fishing is not allowed in the water in an attempt to protect all the living things in the reef. 

There is an association of surfers who came together to form a nongovernmental organization that supports surfing at Swami’s; this association holds regular surfing competitions for locals and rewards the winners.

Swamis is a fun place to go and surf since, most times; you get to meet other people surfing there as well. 

Location: San Diego, California

3. Tour San Diego Botanic Gardens (Educational Gardens With Themed Exhibits)

The botanic gardens in San Diego are a nice place to visit if you want to spend time outdoors with nature. 

It is a thirty-seven-acre garden full of nature’s most beautiful plants. 

The botanic garden has about twenty-nine different themed gardens, and these themed gardens represent different habitats of the world. 

San Diego Botanic Gardens is a great place to learn about different regions and see the kinds of plants that survive in different environments. 

The botanic gardens run various featured exhibitions and programs regularly; some are summer classes for children and adults teaching what is in bloom at different times. 

A program calendar that shows all the programs that run in the garden is a must-have, so you know the best times to visit and what you gain experience when you call on such days. 

Location: San Diego, California 

4. Watch Sealife at La Jolla Cove (Cove Activities & Marine Life)

La Jolla Cove is a pretty place by the sea where you can enjoy a fun time by the water by swimming, kayaking, or even just watching. 

At this very loved cove, you can watch beautiful sunsets or the majestic sea life. 

There are child-friendly activities for children to participate in if you come with a child. 

Countless Seaside restaurants are also available to meet your nutrition needs. 

Since La Jolla Cove is by the ocean, there are a lot of ocean activities to see, like seals, bait fish, barracuda, giant sea bass, and many others.

Bring your camera to photograph the diverse sealife at the cove. 

Asides from watching sea life, you can also participate in snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, or open-water swimming. 

You must wear the right clothes for each activity for your safety.

Address: 1100 Coast Blvd, La Jolla, CA 92037

Also see our article on Safari in California.

Outdoor Activities in Mendocino, California

1. Trail Old Haul Road (Busy Trail For Hiking & Biking)

This famous trail in Mendocino, California, is used for many purposes, like hiking, cycling, and horse riding. 

It is a versatile and valuable trail that many people use for specific reasons; as such, it is usually quite busy.

The road is almost six miles long and relatively easy to hike. 

Since the surface is soil, climbing is much easier, even though the elevation is almost four hundred feet. 

There is a map that can be downloaded over the internet so that you can use it and stay aware while hiking on the trail.

It is important to note that while this road is an excellent trail for recreational users, it is also frequently used by maintenance crews, so people must be careful not to have any hazards. 

Location: Mendocino, California 

2. Hike at Mendocino Coastal trail (Unmarked Trail With Scenic Views)

This trail at Mendocino Headlands State Park is an unmarked trail that consists of many short trails that lead up to the main one.

Although the significant coastline trail runs through the park’s length, you can skip the entire main trail while still experiencing the hiking vibe. 

You can hike the trail, jog across the trail, walk along the trail, or watch the picturesque sunset from the calm environment. 

While hiking up the trail, it is essential to pay a lot of attention to the rocks formed by erosion in the area, as these contain arches and protrusions.

The cliffs across the trail and the little rocks come together to form the most stunning location in Mendocino, a cute backdrop for pictures. 

Location: Mendocino, California 

3. Surf with North Coast Surf School (Surf Lessons With Experienced Tutor)

At the North Coast Surf School, you learn how to surf from an experienced surfer in Mendocino called Caleb. 

Individuals of different ages can take private or public surf lessons, whether they are beginner, intermediate, or advanced surfers. 

Knowing how experienced you are before you begin surf lessons is essential so the tutor can teach you things you need to know. 

Private surf lessons are the best for beginners since they have one-on-one interaction with the tutor, who can show all the proper techniques for surfing. 

For every paid session, you get an hour of ocean instruction and half an hour of beach instruction. 

You also get to rent a surfboard and an appropriate wetsuit. 

As a beginner, you are taught the basics of surfing and the education needed to become a better surfer. 

Location: Mendocino, California

If you liked this article, you may also like to read about the best Attractions, Horseback Riding, and Fun things to do in California.

Looking beyond California? Check out our article on the best outdoor activities in Florida and Texas.