California Hiking and Walking Tours | Backroads Active Travel

The distinctive desert beauty of Joshua Tree National Park and the chic galleries and eclectic boutiques of Palm Springs. Sublime hikes to powerful waterfalls and spectacular panoramas in Yosemite. Wine Country's world-class cuisine. Explore the Golden State on a California Hiking Tour with Backroads and let us take care of all the planning.

REQUEST A CATALOG

Trip View

Date View

19 Trips

Field of cactus plants, sunset in background.

Guest hiking among arid terrain, desert plant in foreground.

Guests hiking in desert, snowy mountain far in background.

Guests hiking on desert trail, palms in background.

Two guests in desert valley, small stream running beside them.

Hiking & Walking

Couples, Friends & Solos

California's Palm Springs & Joshua Tree Hiking & Walking Tour - 4-Day Getaway

National Park Wonderland of Rocks & Desert Oases

4 days

Levels 1-3

Premiere Hotels

2026: Jan-Mar, Oct-Dec

From $3,199/person

Wide shot of Glacier Point.

Guests hiking with Glacier Point in background.

Wide shot of semi-snowy mountain.

Wide shot of redwood trees.

Two guests hiking beside large body of water.

Hiking & Walking

Couples, Friends & Solos

Yosemite Hiking & Walking Tour

A National Park Wonderland of Giant Sequoias & Granite Cliffs

6 days

Levels 2-4

Deluxe Hotels

2026: Jun-Oct

From $4,699/person

Two people standing on top of a large, orange canyon looking at larger canyons

Guests relaxing poolside at desert resort.

Open valley with Joshua trees and canyons in the background

Person standing on a cliff with the sunset in the background

Cactus with pink flowers blooming

NEW

Hiking & Walking

Couples, Friends & Solos

Death Valley Hiking & Walking Tour

Desert Wonders in California's Otherworldly National Park

4 days

Levels 1-3

Casual Hotels

2026: Mar, Oct-Dec

From $3,799/person

Forest surrounded by tall mountains

Group of men and women smiling while riding bikes on a road surrounded by tall trees

Boy wearing a helmet, attached to a harness climbing up a boulder

Large mountain illuminated by the sunet

Forest with a lake in front and a large mountain in the background

Multi-Adventure

Families with Kids & Teens

Yosemite Multi-Adventure Tour

National Park's Giant Sequoias & Iconic Half Dome

6 days

Levels 1-3

Deluxe & Casual Hotels

2026: Jun-Aug

From $4,499/person

Wide shot of mountains at sunset.

guests hike a sunny trail in yosemite

Wide shot of redwood trees.

Shot of waterfall, craggy riverbed in foreground.

Guests pose with a large tree

Hiking & Walking

Couples, Friends & Solos

Yosemite Valley Hiking & Walking Tour

National Park’s Springtime Waterfalls & Wilderness

5 days

Levels 1-3

Deluxe Hotels

2026: Apr-Jun

From $4,599/person

Guest cycling past palm tree, desert landscape behind him.

Guest and leader with prepped lunch spread.

Wide shot of desert landscape, cables/wires in foreground.

Storefront shot of the "MANE STREET HOTEL", old west style building.

Guests on desert trail, yucca trees in foreground & background.

Multi-Adventure

Couples, Friends & Solos

California's Palm Springs & Joshua Tree Multi-Adventure Tour

Desert Wonders & National Park Magic

5 days

Levels 1-3

Premiere Hotels

2026: Feb-Mar, Oct-Nov

From $3,999/person

Shot of old mission building in Santa Barbara.

Four guests taking a selfie, orange tree behind them.

Guest/leader under an orange tree, smiling at camera.

Bird's eye shot of the Ojai Valley Inn during sunset.

Wide shot of PCH in Santa Barbara, beach and ocean on left.

Multi-Adventure

Families with Kids & Teens

Santa Barbara to Ojai Family Multi-Adventure Tour

Beaches & Vineyards on California's Central Coast

5 days

Levels 1-3

Premiere Hotels

From $4,749/person

Guests hiking through grassy field, mountains in background.

Wide shot of redwood trees.

Wide shot of semi-snowy mountain.

Wide shot of Glacier Point.

Shot of a rocky stream.

Hiking & Walking

Couples, Friends & Solos

Yosemite Easygoing Walking Tour

Dolce Tempo Journey from National Park's Dramatic Granite Cliffs to Colorful Meadows

6 days

Levels 1-2

Deluxe Hotels

2026: Sep-Oct

From $4,699/person

Valley of Joshua trees, with a woman walking on a dirt path

Group of hikers walking through a dirt trail, surrounded by dried weeds

Two women smiling while sitting on large boulder on top of a mountain

Group of hikers with walking poles hiking through a dirt path towards tall palm trees

To large palm trees in the middle of a dried valley

NEW

Hiking & Walking

Couples, Friends & Solos

California's Palm Springs & Joshua Tree Easygoing Walking Tour - 4-Day Getaway

National Park Wonderland of Rocks & Desert Oases

4 days

Levels 1-2

Premiere Hotels

2026: Jan-Feb, Nov-Dec

From $3,399/person

Two guests hiking on desert trail, vast desert landscape all around.

Field of cactus plants, sunset in background.

Woman with arms out in a waterfall

A woman hiking on a dirt path

Close-up of red cactus flower.

Hiking & Walking

Women's Adventures

California's Palm Springs & Joshua Tree Women's Hiking & Walking Tour - 4-Day Getaway

National Park Wonderland of Rocks & Desert Oases

4 days

Levels 1-3

Premiere Hotels

2026: Jan-Mar, Oct-Dec

From $3,199/person

Two people paddling on an orange kayak in the middle of a lake

Guests riding past tall flower bushes in desert.

Wide shot of PCH in Santa Barbara, beach and ocean on left.

Guests biking along California coast, palm trees beside them.

Four guests rounding a corner, hilltop houses and Cali hills in background.

NEW

Multi-Adventure

Couples, Friends & Solos

Santa Barbara & the Channel Islands Multi-Adventure Tour

Beaches, Islands & Mountains on California's Central Coast

6 days

Levels 2-4

Premiere Hotels

2026: Mar-May, Sep

From $0/person

Group of guests riding single-file through a desert neighborhood.

Guest and leader with prepped lunch spread.

Wide shot of desert landscape, cables/wires in foreground.

Storefront shot of the "MANE STREET HOTEL", old west style building.

Field of Yucca trees, mountain range in background.

Multi-Adventure

Families with Kids & Teens

California's Palm Springs & Joshua Tree Family Multi-Adventure Tour

Desert Wonders & National Park Magic

5 days

Levels 1-3

Premiere Hotels

2026: Mar-Apr, Dec

From $4,399/person

Wide shot of semi-snowy mountain.

Hiker meeting a groundhog.

Wide shot of redwood trees.

Wide shot of Glacier Point.

Shot of a rocky stream.

Hiking & Walking

Women's Adventures

Yosemite Women's Hiking & Walking Tour

A National Park Wonderland of Giant Sequoias & Granite Cliffs

6 days

Levels 2-4

Deluxe Hotels

2026: Jun-Oct

From $4,699/person

Wide shot of ship fleet on water.

Wide shot of PCH in Santa Barbara, beach and ocean on left.

Four guests rounding a corner, hilltop houses and Cali hills in background.

Charcuterie platter, apples, cheeses, salami, olives, etc.

California vineyard during sunrise.

Multi-Adventure

Families with Teens & 20s

Santa Barbara to the Santa Ynez Valley Family Multi-Adventure Tour

Beaches & Vineyards on California's Palm-Lined Coast

5 days

Levels 1-3

Premiere Hotels

From $4,549/person

Wide shot of flowery meadow, mountains in background.

two women with hiking poles hike in yosemite

Wide shot of Yosemite Falls.

A hiker stops to take a photo

Wide shot of redwood trees.

Hiking & Walking

Women's Adventures

Yosemite Valley Women's Hiking & Walking Tour

National Park’s Springtime Waterfalls & Wilderness

5 days

Levels 1-3

Deluxe Hotels

2026: Apr-May

From $4,799/person

People walking along California beach.

Wide shot of PCH in Santa Barbara, beach and ocean on left.

Three men riding bikes on a road surrounded by tall palm trees

Sea otter swimming in water

Guests biking along California coast, palm trees beside them.

NEW

Multi-Adventure

Families with Teens & 20s

Santa Barbara & the Channel Islands Family Multi-Adventure Tour

Beaches, Islands & Mountains on California's Central Coast

6 days

Levels 2-4

Premiere Hotels

From $5,499/person

Two girls carrying a yellow surfboard over their head

Three men riding bikes on a road surrounded by tall palm trees

Guests biking along California coast, palm trees beside them.

Sea otter swimming in water

Girl standing on a pink surfboard in the ocean

NEW

Multi-Adventure

Families with Kids & Teens

Santa Barbara & the Channel Islands Family Multi-Adventure Tour

Coastal California Fun, National Park Wildlife & Ojai Sunshine

6 days

Levels 1-3

Premiere Hotels

2026: Apr, Jun-Jul, Dec

From $4,699/person

Two women ascending a rocky trail with large canyons in the background

Person shining a flashlight in between two large cliffs

Courtyard with a stone fountain and grass area

Woman walking a rocky trail in between two orange canyons

Cactus with pink flowers blooming

NEW

Hiking & Walking

Women's Adventures

Death Valley Women's Hiking & Walking Tour

Desert Wonders in California's Otherworldly National Park

4 days

Levels 1-3

Casual Hotels

2026: Feb-Mar, Nov-Dec

From $3,899/person

Guest rock climbing with desert vista behind them.

Group of five smiling for camera, all in climbing harnesses.

Wide shot of desert landscape, cables/wires in foreground.

Storefront shot of the "MANE STREET HOTEL", old west style building.

Guest walking on desert rocks, rocky hill in background.

Multi-Adventure

Families with Teens & 20s

California's Palm Springs & Joshua Tree Family Multi-Adventure Tour

Desert Wonders & National Park Magic

5 days

Levels 1-3

Premiere Hotels

From $4,349/person

138 Dates

2025

December 2025

Field of cactus plants, sunset in background.

Hiking & Walking

Couples, Friends & Solos

California's Palm Springs & Joshua Tree Hiking & Walking Tour - 4-Day Getaway

4 days

1-3

Premiere Hotels

$3,199/person

(+$700 for optional single occ.)

Request to Book

Dec 14, 2025

Sunday

Dec 17, 2025

Wednesday

Download Itinerary

Wide shot of ship fleet on water.

Multi-Adventure

Families with Teens & 20s

Santa Barbara to the Santa Ynez Valley Family Multi-Adventure Tour

5 days

1-3

Premiere Hotels

$4,549/person

(+$1,200 for optional single occ.)

Request to Book

Dec 21, 2025

Sunday

Dec 25, 2025

Thursday

Download Itinerary

Guest rock climbing with desert vista behind them.

Multi-Adventure

Families with Teens & 20s

California's Palm Springs & Joshua Tree Family Multi-Adventure Tour

5 days

1-3

Premiere Hotels

$4,349/person

(+$950 for optional single occ.)

Request to Book

Dec 22, 2025

Monday

Dec 26, 2025

Friday

Download Itinerary

Field of cactus plants, sunset in background.

Hiking & Walking

Couples, Friends & Solos

California's Palm Springs & Joshua Tree Hiking & Walking Tour - 4-Day Getaway

4 days

1-3

Premiere Hotels

$3,199/person

(+$800 for optional single occ.)

Request to Book

Dec 28, 2025

Sunday

Dec 31, 2025

Wednesday

Download Itinerary

Wide shot of ship fleet on water.

Multi-Adventure

Families with Teens & 20s

Santa Barbara to the Santa Ynez Valley Family Multi-Adventure Tour

5 days

1-3

Premiere Hotels

$4,549/person

(+$1,200 for optional single occ.)

Available

Dec 28, 2025

Sunday

Jan 1, 2026

Thursday

Download Itinerary

Shot of old mission building in Santa Barbara.

Multi-Adventure

Families with Kids & Teens

Santa Barbara to Ojai Family Multi-Adventure Tour

5 days

1-3

Premiere Hotels

$4,749/person

(+$1,200 for optional single occ.)

Going fast! 3 spaces left

Dec 29, 2025

Monday

Jan 2, 2026

Friday

Download Itinerary

Guest cycling past palm tree, desert landscape behind him.

Multi-Adventure

Couples, Friends & Solos

California's Palm Springs & Joshua Tree Multi-Adventure Tour

5 days

1-3

Premiere Hotels

$3,999/person

(+$1,200 for optional single occ.)

Request to Book

Dec 31, 2025

Wednesday

Jan 4, 2026

Sunday

Download Itinerary

2026

January 2026

Field of cactus plants, sunset in background.

Hiking & Walking

Couples, Friends & Solos

California's Palm Springs & Joshua Tree Hiking & Walking Tour - 4-Day Getaway

4 days

1-3

Premiere Hotels

$3,199/person

(+$800 for optional single occ.)

Available

Jan 4, 2026

Sunday

Jan 7, 2026

Wednesday

Download Itinerary

Field of cactus plants, sunset in background.

Hiking & Walking

Couples, Friends & Solos

California's Palm Springs & Joshua Tree Hiking & Walking Tour - 4-Day Getaway

4 days

1-3

Premiere Hotels

$3,199/person

(+$1,100 for optional single occ.)

Available

Jan 9, 2026

Friday

Jan 12, 2026

Monday

Download Itinerary

Field of cactus plants, sunset in background.

Hiking & Walking

Couples, Friends & Solos

California's Palm Springs & Joshua Tree Hiking & Walking Tour - 4-Day Getaway

4 days

1-3

Premiere Hotels

$3,199/person

(+$800 for optional single occ.)

Available

Jan 11, 2026

Sunday

Jan 14, 2026

Wednesday

Download Itinerary

Valley of Joshua trees, with a woman walking on a dirt path

Hiking & Walking

Couples, Friends & Solos

California's Palm Springs & Joshua Tree Easygoing Walking Tour - 4-Day Getaway

4 days

1-2

Premiere Hotels

$3,399/person

(+$1,100 for optional single occ.)

Available

Jan 16, 2026

Friday

Jan 19, 2026

Monday

Download Itinerary

Two guests hiking on desert trail, vast desert landscape all around.

Hiking & Walking

Women's Adventures

California's Palm Springs & Joshua Tree Women's Hiking & Walking Tour - 4-Day Getaway

4 days

1-3

Premiere Hotels

$3,199/person

(+$950 for optional single occ.)

Available

Jan 23, 2026

Friday

Jan 26, 2026

Monday

Download Itinerary

February 2026

Field of cactus plants, sunset in background.

Hiking & Walking

Couples, Friends & Solos

California's Palm Springs & Joshua Tree Hiking & Walking Tour - 4-Day Getaway

4 days

1-3

Premiere Hotels

$3,199/person

(+$800 for optional single occ.)

Available

Feb 1, 2026

Sunday

Feb 4, 2026

Wednesday

Download Itinerary

Valley of Joshua trees, with a woman walking on a dirt path

Hiking & Walking

Couples, Friends & Solos

California's Palm Springs & Joshua Tree Easygoing Walking Tour - 4-Day Getaway

4 days

1-2

Premiere Hotels

$3,399/person

(+$1,100 for optional single occ.)

Available

Feb 6, 2026

Friday

Feb 9, 2026

Monday

Download Itinerary

Field of cactus plants, sunset in background.

Hiking & Walking

Couples, Friends & Solos

California's Palm Springs & Joshua Tree Hiking & Walking Tour - 4-Day Getaway

4 days

1-3

Premiere Hotels

$3,199/person

(+$950 for optional single occ.)

Going fast! 3 spaces left

Feb 8, 2026

Sunday

Feb 11, 2026

Wednesday

Download Itinerary

Two guests hiking on desert trail, vast desert landscape all around.

Hiking & Walking

Women's Adventures

California's Palm Springs & Joshua Tree Women's Hiking & Walking Tour - 4-Day Getaway

4 days

1-3

Premiere Hotels

$3,199/person

(+$1,100 for optional single occ.)

Available

Feb 13, 2026

Friday

Feb 16, 2026

Monday

Download Itinerary

Field of cactus plants, sunset in background.

Hiking & Walking

Couples, Friends & Solos

California's Palm Springs & Joshua Tree Hiking & Walking Tour - 4-Day Getaway

4 days

1-3

Premiere Hotels

$3,199/person

(+$800 for optional single occ.)

Available

Feb 15, 2026

Sunday

Feb 18, 2026

Wednesday

Download Itinerary

Field of cactus plants, sunset in background.

Hiking & Walking

Couples, Friends & Solos

California's Palm Springs & Joshua Tree Hiking & Walking Tour - 4-Day Getaway

4 days

1-3

Premiere Hotels

$3,199/person

(+$1,100 for optional single occ.)

Available

Feb 20, 2026

Friday

Feb 23, 2026

Monday

Download Itinerary

Field of cactus plants, sunset in background.

Hiking & Walking

Couples, Friends & Solos

California's Palm Springs & Joshua Tree Hiking & Walking Tour - 4-Day Getaway

4 days

1-3

Premiere Hotels

$3,199/person

(+$800 for optional single occ.)

Available

Feb 22, 2026

Sunday

Feb 25, 2026

Wednesday

Download Itinerary

Guest cycling past palm tree, desert landscape behind him.

Multi-Adventure

Couples, Friends & Solos

California's Palm Springs & Joshua Tree Multi-Adventure Tour

5 days

1-3

Premiere Hotels

$3,999/person

(+$1,050 for optional single occ.)

Available

Feb 23, 2026

Monday

Feb 27, 2026

Friday

Download Itinerary

Two women ascending a rocky trail with large canyons in the background

Hiking & Walking

Women's Adventures

Death Valley Women's Hiking & Walking Tour

4 days

1-3

Casual Hotels

$3,899/person

(+$1,250 for optional single occ.)

Available

Feb 23, 2026

Monday

Feb 26, 2026

Thursday

Download Itinerary

Two guests hiking on desert trail, vast desert landscape all around.

Hiking & Walking

Women's Adventures

California's Palm Springs & Joshua Tree Women's Hiking & Walking Tour - 4-Day Getaway

4 days

1-3

Premiere Hotels

$3,199/person

(+$1,100 for optional single occ.)

Available

Feb 27, 2026

Friday

Mar 2, 2026

Monday

Download Itinerary

March 2026

Field of cactus plants, sunset in background.

Hiking & Walking

Couples, Friends & Solos

California's Palm Springs & Joshua Tree Hiking & Walking Tour - 4-Day Getaway

4 days

1-3

Premiere Hotels

$3,199/person

(+$950 for optional single occ.)

Going fast! 4 spaces left

Mar 1, 2026

Sunday

Mar 4, 2026

Wednesday

Download Itinerary

Two people paddling on an orange kayak in the middle of a lake

Multi-Adventure

Couples, Friends & Solos

Santa Barbara & the Channel Islands Multi-Adventure Tour

6 days

2-4

Premiere Hotels

Select a group size for pricing

Available

Mar 1, 2026

Sunday

Mar 6, 2026

Friday

Download Itinerary

Two people standing on top of a large, orange canyon looking at larger canyons

Hiking & Walking

Couples, Friends & Solos

Death Valley Hiking & Walking Tour

4 days

1-3

Casual Hotels

$3,799/person

(+$1,250 for optional single occ.)

Available

Mar 2, 2026

Monday

Mar 5, 2026

Thursday

Download Itinerary

Ready to make some plans? Get our full catalog of active tours!

Get a Catalog Now