Best Cities for Hiking by Climate
US cities with mild annual averages (50-65°F), lots of pleasant months, and modest annual rainfall — strong climates for trail-based hiking communities.
Climate proxy, not a venue listing. This list ranks US cities by climate suitability — not by golf courses, trail networks, or ski resorts on the ground. Pair with a local guide.
| # | City | Pleasant months | Annual avg | Annual precip | Climate type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Beverly Hills, CA | 12 | 64.3°F | 17.73 in | Semi-arid (cold) |
| 2 | West Hollywood, CA | 12 | 64.3°F | 17.73 in | Semi-arid (cold) |
| 3 | Coronado, CA | 10 | 63.9°F | 9.33 in | Desert (cold) |
| 4 | Hawthorne, CA | 10 | 64.5°F | 11.77 in | Semi-arid (hot) |
| 5 | Compton, CA | 10 | 64.5°F | 11.77 in | Semi-arid (hot) |
| 6 | Gardena, CA | 10 | 64.5°F | 11.77 in | Semi-arid (hot) |
| 7 | Inglewood, CA | 10 | 64.5°F | 11.77 in | Semi-arid (hot) |
| 8 | Lawndale, CA | 10 | 64.5°F | 11.77 in | Semi-arid (hot) |
| 9 | Lynwood, CA | 10 | 64.5°F | 11.77 in | Semi-arid (hot) |
| 10 | El Segundo, CA | 10 | 63.6°F | 12.23 in | Semi-arid (cold) |
| 11 | Manhattan Beach, CA | 10 | 63.6°F | 12.23 in | Semi-arid (cold) |
| 12 | Imperial Beach, CA | 9 | 62.3°F | 8.58 in | Desert (cold) |
| 13 | Lemon Grove, CA | 9 | 63.3°F | 9.20 in | Desert (cold) |
| 14 | National City, CA | 9 | 63.3°F | 9.20 in | Desert (cold) |
| 15 | Huntington Beach, CA | 9 | 64.9°F | 11.18 in | Semi-arid (hot) |
| 16 | Costa Mesa, CA | 9 | 64.9°F | 11.18 in | Semi-arid (hot) |
| 17 | Fountain Valley, CA | 9 | 64.9°F | 11.18 in | Semi-arid (hot) |
| 18 | Culver City, CA | 9 | 63.8°F | 14.05 in | Semi-arid (cold) |
| 19 | Los Angeles, CA | 9 | 63.8°F | 14.05 in | Semi-arid (cold) |
| 20 | Newport Beach, CA | 8 | 62.8°F | 9.43 in | Semi-arid (cold) |
| 21 | Solana Beach, CA | 8 | 62.5°F | 11.39 in | Semi-arid (cold) |
| 22 | Carlsbad, CA | 8 | 62.5°F | 11.39 in | Semi-arid (cold) |
| 23 | Encinitas, CA | 8 | 62.5°F | 11.39 in | Semi-arid (cold) |
| 24 | Oxnard, CA | 8 | 61.2°F | 12.93 in | Semi-arid (cold) |
| 25 | Port Hueneme, CA | 8 | 61.2°F | 12.93 in | Semi-arid (cold) |
| 26 | Lomita, CA | 8 | 63.0°F | 13.64 in | Semi-arid (cold) |
| 27 | Rolling Hills, CA | 8 | 63.0°F | 13.64 in | Semi-arid (cold) |
| 28 | Rolling Hills Estates, CA | 8 | 63.0°F | 13.64 in | Semi-arid (cold) |
| 29 | Carson, CA | 8 | 63.0°F | 13.64 in | Semi-arid (cold) |
| 30 | Torrance, CA | 8 | 62.5°F | 13.76 in | Semi-arid (cold) |
| 31 | Hermosa Beach, CA | 8 | 62.5°F | 13.76 in | Semi-arid (cold) |
| 32 | Redondo Beach, CA | 8 | 62.5°F | 13.76 in | Semi-arid (cold) |
| 33 | Santa Barbara, CA | 8 | 62.5°F | 18.98 in | Warm-summer Mediterranean |
| 34 | Avalon, CA | 7 | 61.2°F | 12.77 in | Semi-arid (cold) |
| 35 | Morro Bay, CA | 7 | 59.5°F | 17.00 in | Warm-summer Mediterranean |
| 36 | Piedmont, CA | 7 | 59.6°F | 22.61 in | Warm-summer Mediterranean |
| 37 | Oakland, CA | 7 | 59.6°F | 22.61 in | Warm-summer Mediterranean |
| 38 | Chula Vista, CA | 6 | 62.6°F | 10.23 in | Semi-arid (cold) |
| 39 | San Diego, CA | 6 | 64.1°F | 11.02 in | Semi-arid (cold) |
| 40 | Del Mar, CA | 6 | 64.2°F | 11.48 in | Semi-arid (cold) |
| 41 | Oceanside, CA | 6 | 61.0°F | 11.86 in | Semi-arid (cold) |
| 42 | Camarillo, CA | 6 | 62.5°F | 12.01 in | Semi-arid (cold) |
| 43 | Santa Paula, CA | 6 | 62.5°F | 12.01 in | Semi-arid (cold) |
| 44 | Thousand Oaks, CA | 6 | 62.5°F | 12.01 in | Semi-arid (cold) |
| 45 | Bellflower, CA | 6 | 64.9°F | 12.02 in | Semi-arid (hot) |
| 46 | Paramount, CA | 6 | 64.9°F | 12.02 in | Semi-arid (hot) |
| 47 | Long Beach, CA | 6 | 64.9°F | 12.02 in | Semi-arid (hot) |
| 48 | Artesia, CA | 6 | 64.9°F | 12.02 in | Semi-arid (hot) |
| 49 | Hawaiian Gardens, CA | 6 | 64.9°F | 12.02 in | Semi-arid (hot) |
| 50 | Lakewood, CA | 6 | 64.9°F | 12.02 in | Semi-arid (hot) |