Question 1

What is the closest backpacking trip to Santa Monica?

Accepted Answer

Trans-Catalina Trail is the closest documented trip to Santa Monica at roughly 48 miles (about 53 minutes of driving) from the Avalon trailhead.

Question 2

Do I need a permit to backpack near Santa Monica?

Accepted Answer

Many routes near Santa Monica, including Trans-Catalina Trail, require a wilderness permit from Catalina Island Conservancy. Always check the managing agency before you go.

Question 3

When is the best season to backpack near Santa Monica?

Accepted Answer

For Trans-Catalina Trail — the closest trip to Santa Monica — the best months are March, April, May, October, November.

#	Trip	Miles away	Est. drive	Distance	Gain	Difficulty	Permit
1	Trans-Catalina Trail Channel Islands	48 mi	~53 min	38.5 mi	7,638 ft	49	Required
2	San Bernardino Peak Trail San Gorgonio Wilderness	86 mi	~96 min	17.8 mi	9,300 ft	55	Required
3	Forsee Creek to Johns Meadow San Gorgonio Wilderness	89 mi	~99 min	7.8 mi	1,600 ft	12	Required
4	Vivian Creek Trail to San Gorgonio San Gorgonio Wilderness	91 mi	~101 min	15.6 mi	10,800 ft	61	Required
5	South Fork Trail to Dry Lake San Gorgonio Wilderness	93 mi	~104 min	11.4 mi	4,400 ft	31	Required
6	Boy Scout Trail Joshua Tree National Park	132 mi	~147 min	15.6 mi	1,600 ft	14	Required
7	Timber Gap Trail Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks	168 mi	~187 min	9.7 mi	4,780 ft	32	Required
8	Black Rock Pass Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks	168 mi	~187 min	13.7 mi	8,954 ft	54	Required
9	Monarch Lakes Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks	168 mi	~187 min	7.1 mi	4,162 ft	30	Required
10	Cottonwood Pass to Chicken Spring Lake Inyo National Forest	169 mi	~187 min	15 mi	2,962 ft	30	Required
11	New Army Pass via Cottonwood Lakes Inyo National Forest	171 mi	~190 min	9.6 mi	3,596 ft	33	Required
12	Mount Whitney Trail Inyo National Forest	178 mi	~198 min	21.4 mi	6,460 ft	49	Required

Best backpacking trips near Santa Monica, CA