🚶 Easy & flat
Easy walking paths in SoCal
Curated by Simir Shah
22 spots across Southern California — add your zip or city to sort by what's closest to you
Newport Back Bay Loop Trail
Newport Beach
A flat paved loop (~10.5 mi, do any segment) around the Upper Newport Bay wetlands. Stroller and wheelchair friendly.
🗓️ Year-round
Anaheim Coves Trail
Anaheim
A ~3-mile paved out-and-back along the Santa Ana River with a playground and fitness area.
🗓️ Year-round
Huntington Beach Strand
Huntington Beach
A ~10-mile paved oceanfront path; the first ~2 miles are accessible for strollers and wheelchairs.
🗓️ Year-round
Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve Loop
Huntington Beach
A boardwalk over the bay plus a ~1.5-mile stroller-friendly wetland loop. Free.
🗓️ Sunrise-sunset
Santa Ana River Trail (Fairmount Park to Van Buren)
Riverside
A fully paved, well-used flat river segment. Easy walking or biking.
🗓️ Year-round
Long Beach Shoreline Bike Path
Long Beach
A 4.5-mile flat paved shoreline path with separated ped/bike lanes, Catalina and skyline views, plus surrey rentals at Shoreline Village.
🗓️ Year-round
Batiquitos Lagoon Trail
Carlsbad
A wide flat ~3-mile path with interpretive signs; handicap-accessible and strollers allowed.
🗓️ Year-round
Coastal Rail Trail
Encinitas
A wide paved path linking coastal Encinitas; mind passing bikes.
🗓️ Year-round
San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve
Encinitas
Flat lagoon trails with boardwalk bridges and good birdwatching. Free.
🗓️ Year-round
The Strand (Marvin Braude Bike Trail) - Manhattan/Redondo
Manhattan Beach
Flat paved beachfront path along the sand, part of the ~22-mile South Bay coastal trail.
🗓️ Year-round
LA River Bike Path (Elysian Valley / Frogtown)
Los Angeles
A flat paved route of 7+ miles with accessible parking and picnic spots along the LA River.
🗓️ Year-round
Lake Hemet paved path
Mountain Center
Paved lakeside path near Idyllwild with ducks, pines and picnicking.
🗓️ Year-round
Desert View Loop Trail (top of Palm Springs Aerial Tramway)
Palm Springs · Walking path
A mostly flat 1.7-mile loop through pines with several overlooks, restrooms and picnic tables. Requires paid tram ride.
🗓️ Year-round
💵 Paid tram
Alpine Pedal Path
Big Bear Lake
Paved lakeshore path along the north shore, accessible for strollers and wheelchairs.
🗓️ Year-round
Kendall-Frost / Mission Bay Nature Center Loop
San Diego
A 0.75-mile ADA-accessible loop by a coastal wetland, good for all strollers.
🗓️ Year-round
Woodland Interpretive Trail
Big Bear Lake
An easy 1.5-mile self-guided loop with 16 stops, climbable boulders and lake views.
🗓️ Year-round
Mission Bay Park paths
San Diego
About 12 miles of wide flat paved bayfront paths, so you can walk as far as you like.
🗓️ Year-round
Palm Canyon Trail
Palm Springs · Walking path
A shaded creekside walk through a palm oasis; kid-friendly. Indian Canyons paid entry.
🗓️ Year-round
💵 Paid entry
Andreas Canyon Trail
Palm Springs · Walking path
An easy ~1-mile loop along a stream shaded by palms, with creekside picnic tables. Indian Canyons paid entry.
🗓️ Year-round
💵 Paid entry
Bay to Park Paseo
San Diego
A 1.7-mile downtown walking path along Park Blvd connecting San Diego Bay and Balboa Park.
🗓️ Year-round
Bayshore Bikeway / Coronado Ferry Landing
Coronado
Flat bayfront path with close-up water and downtown skyline views.
🗓️ Year-round
Ventura Promenade / San Buenaventura State Beach
Ventura · Walking path
Paved beachfront promenade by the historic pier with a beachside playground. Paid state-beach parking.
🗓️ Year-round
💵 Paid parking
Ready for a little more trail? Try our easy kid-friendly hikes, browse the best family parks and beach boardwalks — or see what's near you by city.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best easy, flat walking paths in Southern California?
Family favorites include the Newport Back Bay Loop in OC, the Long Beach Shoreline path, Mission Bay's paved loops in San Diego, Batiquitos and San Elijo Lagoon trails in North County, and the Bolsa Chica boardwalk in Huntington Beach — all flat and scenic. Use the finder above to find the closest.
Which walking paths are stroller- and wheelchair-friendly?
The paved coastal and bay paths are best: the Long Beach Shoreline path, Mission Bay paths, Batiquitos Lagoon Trail, the Alpine Pedal Path in Big Bear, and the Bay-to-Park Paseo downtown are all wide, flat and accessible. Each listing notes access details where known.
Are these walking paths free?
Almost all are free to walk; a few beachfront paths use paid state-beach parking lots (you can also often find free street parking nearby). Each listing shows cost and you can filter to free-only above.