Adventures in Southern California

The Boynton Canyon Trail and Subway Cave in Sedona Arizona

Arizona Hiking, Caves, Flagstaff, Sedona Arizona

Boynton Canyon Trail in Sedona Arizona

If you're visiting Sedona, Arizona, one of the best hikes in the area is Boynton Canyon Trail. It's located about 10–15 minutes outside downtown Sedona and roughly an hour from Flagstaff. The hike is approximately 6–7 miles round trip, depending on where you turn around, and takes about 3–4 hours to complete. It's considered a moderate hike, although most of the trail isn't particularly difficult. The scenery is fantastic, with massive red sandstone cliffs, beautiful desert landscapes, and some pretty incredible views of the surrounding mountains.

Getting to the trailhead is easy. Boynton Canyon Road is paved all the way to the parking lot, so you won't need a truck or SUV. Any regular car can make the drive. There's a decent amount of parking at the trailhead, along with additional roadside parking nearby, although it can fill up quickly on weekends. You'll generally need a Red Rock Pass or an accepted federal recreation pass to park. You can park a bit further down to avoid paying for parking, but that may have changed. The trail is also close to the Thunder Mountain trail system, so there are several other hiking options in the area if you want to explore more of Sedona.

There are also a couple of interesting caves in this area worth checking out. The most famous is Subway Cave, which is accessible from an unmarked side trail off Boynton Canyon Trail. It's an impressive rock formation that looks a little like a subway tunnel carved into the sandstone. This was our turn around point. Getting up into the cave requires some scrambling over steep rock, so it's not something everyone will want to attempt. Another popular destination nearby is Birthing Cave, a large cave with a spectacular view of the surrounding red rocks. Birthing Cave is actually off the neighboring Long Canyon Trail, rather than the main Boynton Canyon Trail, but it's close enough to visit while exploring the area. Both caves involve some steep, rocky sections, so be careful, especially near the exposed ledges.

Boynton Canyon is dog-friendly, which is another reason I recommend it. Dogs are allowed on the main trail as long as they're kept on a leash. Most of the hike is manageable for active dogs, although I wouldn't recommend taking them up the more difficult rock scrambles into the caves. The trail itself can be a little crumbly in spots, with loose rocks, uneven surfaces, and some narrow sections. I wouldn't recommend it for really small kids, people who have trouble walking on uneven ground, or older hikers with mobility issues. It's definitely not stroller-friendly. With that said, if you're reasonably active and have decent hiking shoes, most of the main trail shouldn't give you too much trouble.

One thing to keep in mind is the weather. Sedona can get really hot during the summer, and the exposed first half of this trail doesn't provide much protection from the sun. Bring plenty of water, sunscreen, and a hat. This is a great winter hike. Sedona generally has fairly mild winter weather compared to Flagstaff, and daytime temperatures can be perfect for hiking. You'll still want to check the forecast because it occasionally snows, and shaded sections can get icy. Spring and fall are also excellent times to visit, although you'll probably encounter more hikers.

After finishing the hike, I recommend stopping at The Hudson restaurant in Sedona. It's a little pricey, but the food and drinks are excellent, and they have a fantastic outdoor deck overlooking Sedona's red rock scenery. It's a great place to relax with a drink and something to eat after spending a few hours hiking. If you're making a full day out of your visit, another place worth checking out is nearby Slide Rock State Park in Oak Creek Canyon. It's one of the most popular attractions around Sedona, with beautiful canyon scenery, natural rock waterslides, and swimming areas. The water can be freezing during the winter, but it's still a beautiful place to walk around and take photos.

Boynton Canyon Trail Map

Boynton Canyon Trail

Subway Cave at Boynton Canyon

Boynton Canyon Trail, Sedona Arizona

Boynton Canyon Trail

The Subway Cave

Boynton Canyon Trail, Sedona Arizona

Subway Cave in Sedona Arizona

The Subway Cave Sedona

Boynton Canyon Trail

Visiting Spain: An Easy and Affordable European Vacation

Europe, High Speed Train, LAX, Spain

Plaza de Espana, Seville Spain

One of the great things about living in Southern California is that you can find inexpensive round-trip flights to Europe from LAX in Los Angeles. I've booked round-trip flights to Madrid, Barcelona, Prague, Geneva, Rome, Venice, Paris, and Amsterdam for around $500. It's pretty common to find discounted flights if you book about six months in advance. I'll typically start checking in February for flights in September. I've flown several different airlines and never had any major issues. Iberia, Swiss, Lufthansa, and British Airways have all proven to be reliable.

So where should you go? It depends on what you want to do. If you've never been to Europe, I would probably recommend avoiding Paris for your first trip. I really enjoyed Paris, but it was more of a hassle than most European cities, and you're more likely to run into problems. You need to pre-purchase tickets for many attractions, there are lines for everything, there are scams to look out for, and it's crowded and huge. Alternatively, I found Madrid to be much less stressful. We never waited more than 15 minutes for anything in Madrid. We walked right into most churches and museums without a line. It was always easy to find a spot outside to sit down and eat. The weather is generally sunnier and more predictable in Spain, and people seemed to be friendlier and more helpful. Madrid is also connected to Spain's excellent high-speed train network. You can catch a train and visit a ton of other awesome cities like Toledo, Córdoba, Seville, Málaga, Segovia, and Barcelona. Salamanca is another great option, although the train connections aren't quite as convenient.

If you had 10 days to travel, I would recommend going in late September. The weather is usually still warm, but you're avoiding some of the extreme summer heat. You can fly in and out of Madrid, spending three nights in Madrid, two nights in Córdoba, and three nights in Seville before taking the train back to Madrid for your final night. You won't need to rent a car for any of this trip. All three cities have walkable historic centers, and the high-speed trains make getting between them really easy.

Madrid is a great place to start because there's so much to see within walking distance. The Royal Palace is enormous and one of the most impressive buildings in Spain. Right next to it is the Almudena Cathedral, which is worth visiting. You can walk through Plaza Mayor, explore the old streets around Puerta del Sol, or spend a few hours at Retiro Park, which has beautiful gardens, fountains, and a large lake. You can even rent bicycles near the park and ride around its paved paths, which is a great way to see everything. Madrid also has some of the best museums in Europe, including the Prado Museum, with famous paintings by Goya, Velázquez, and El Greco. Another museum worth visiting is the Reina Sofía, which houses Picasso's enormous painting Guernica. The painting depicts the horrors of war following the bombing of a Spanish town by German and Italian aircraft during the Spanish Civil War in 1937. It's one of the most famous war paintings in the world. Make sure to stop at Mercado de San Miguel, a beautiful historic market that operates like an upscale food court with dozens of vendors selling Spanish food, seafood, pastries, and drinks. My favorite spot in Madrid is the Chocolatería San Ginés, which has been serving its famous churros with thick hot chocolate since 1894. Madrid stays busy late into the evening, and there's always something going on.

Córdoba is only about two hours from Madrid by high-speed train, and it's one of the most beautiful cities in Spain. The biggest attraction is the Mosque-Cathedral, an enormous building that was originally a mosque and later converted into a Catholic cathedral. The interior is incredible, with hundreds of arches and columns. You can also explore the Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos, walk across the ancient Roman Bridge, and wander through the narrow streets of the old Jewish Quarter. Much of the historic center feels like you've stepped back hundreds of years. Córdoba is also famous for its huge stone walls, beautiful flower-filled patios, traditional Andalusian restaurants, and small plazas. It's a smaller city than Madrid or Seville, which makes it really easy to explore on foot. Two nights gives you plenty of time to see the main attractions without rushing.

Seville is about 45 minutes from Córdoba by high-speed train and is easily one of the most beautiful cities in Spain, and one of my top 5 favorite cties in the world. The historic center is packed with incredible architecture, enormous churches, narrow streets, and outdoor restaurants. The Seville Cathedral is one of the largest churches in the world, and you can climb the Giralda tower for fantastic views of the city. The cathedral is also filled with incredible artwork, including paintings by famous Spanish artists like Murillo, Goya, and Zurbarán. There are hundreds of historic paintings inside, making it almost like visiting an art museum inside an enormous cathedral. You can also see the tomb of Christopher Columbus. Right next door is the Royal Alcázar, a beautiful palace complex with gardens, fountains, and detailed Moorish architecture. Plaza de España is another place you shouldn't miss. It's a massive semicircular plaza surrounded by beautiful buildings, bridges, and a canal. You can also walk along the Guadalquivir River, explore the old Santa Cruz neighborhood, or head across the river to Triana for restaurants, bars, and flamenco shows. Seville has excellent nightlife, and the streets and outdoor restaurants stay busy well into the night. Three nights is a good amount of time to explore the city and enjoy it without feeling rushed.

The best part about this route is that you're visiting three very different cities without spending a lot of time traveling between them. Madrid gives you the big-city experience with incredible museums, nightlife, and restaurants. Córdoba has a smaller, medieval atmosphere with some amazing historic buildings. Seville has a little of everything, with beautiful architecture, lively neighborhoods, and plenty to do at night. You can easily do the entire trip by train, and you won't have to worry about driving, parking, or renting a car. All 3 cities have affordable options for hostels, hotels and Airbnbs. I’ve had great luck using Airbnb in Spain and have stayed in some amazing places. For someone visiting Europe for the first time, I think this is one of the easiest and most enjoyable trips you can take.

10 Day Spain Route by Train

Guernica

Cordoba Spain

The Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba

Plaza Mayor, Madrid

Cordoba Spain

Seville Spain

The Royal Palace of Madrid

Real Basilica de San Francisco el Grande, Madrid

Royal Palace of Madrid

Madrid Spain

Irvine's Hidden Network of Paved Bike Trails: One of Orange County's Best-Kept Secrets

balboa peninsula biking, Irvine Hiking, ornage county mountain biking trails

San Diego Creek Trail, Irvine California

One of the most underrated things about living in Irvine California is the incredible network of paved bike trails that connects neighborhoods, parks, shopping centers and even the beach. Most people visiting Orange County probably have no idea these trails exist, but they're some of the best I've ridden anywhere in Southern California. You can ride for miles without dealing with traffic, stop at restaurants along the way and connect several trails together to make some pretty long loops. The best part is that almost everything is on dedicated paved paths completely separated from cars. Unlike a lot of bike trails in Southern California, Irvine's trail system isn't just a painted bike lane on the side of a busy road. These are actual paved trails with bridges, tunnels and underpasses that allow you to travel across much of the city without stopping at intersections. The trails are uncrowded and surrounded by some of the safest and nicest neighborhoods in Orange County. Many sections follow creeks or run through landscaped greenbelts with plenty of shade, making them much more comfortable during the warmer months.

Jeffrey Open Space Trail

The Jeffrey Open Space Trail is one of my favorite sections of the entire network. The trail winds through beautiful landscaped parks, tree-lined pathways and residential neighborhoods, with several bridges and tunnels along the way. One of the biggest improvements is the newly completed pedestrian and bicycle bridge over Interstate 5, which makes it much easier to connect the northern and southern sections of the trail without having to navigate freeway entrances or busy streets. The JOST bridge over I5 is an awesome ride. The trail is wide, smooth and is entirely separated from vehicle traffic. It's also a great starting point for longer rides because it connects with other paved routes throughout Irvine, including the Hicks Canyon and San Diego Creek trail systems.

San Diego Creek Trail and Newport Back Bay

The San Diego Creek Trail is probably the most useful trail in the network if you want to cover some serious distance. It follows the creek through Irvine, passing parks, residential neighborhoods, shopping centers and restaurants before eventually connecting with the Upper Newport Bay trail system. Much of the ride is surprisingly peaceful considering you're traveling through the middle of Orange County. There are long stretches where you barely notice the surrounding city, and the creek corridor has some shaded sections that help keep things cooler. The route eventually opens up around Newport Back Bay, where the scenery changes from landscaped neighborhoods to coastal wetlands, water views and open hillsides. The Back Bay trail is technically a road, but you’ll only see 2 or 3 cars at the most and the traffic generally moves slower than the bikes. The Back Bay Trail is the most scenic spot on the whole trail system.

Hicks Canyon

The Hicks Canyon Trail is another great option, especially if you're looking for something quieter and more shaded. The trail runs through a greenbelt with mature trees, parks and residential areas. It connects with the Jeffrey Open Space Trail near Portola Parkway, making it easy to combine the two into a longer ride without having to spend much time on streets. There are typically a lot of people walking in Hick’s canyon, so you’ll have to slow down if you’re on an eBike.

Shady Canyon
If you're looking for more of a workout, the Shady Canyon Trail is worth checking out. This is one of the more scenic paved routes in Irvine, with some steep climbing through the hills near Shady Canyon. The climb can be challenging on a regular bike, but it's a lot of fun on an e-bike, and the views from the higher sections are fantastic. It's a completely different experience from the flatter creek trails and a good way to add some elevation to your ride. You can connect Shady Canyon to the Back Bay Trail by taking Bonita Canyon Road all the way around. Bonita Canyon Road has a nice sidewalk the entire way around until you reach Eastbluff road where it eventually links with the Mountain to Sea Trail. The Mountain to Sea trail gets descends from the sidewalk and becomes a real trail again. I'd look at the map before trying to link the Shady Canyon Trail to the Back Bay loop.

Riding an E-Bike on Irvine's Trails

Another reason I like these trails so much is that you can enjoy them on an e-bike. The paved routes are great for electric bikes, especially if you want to cover 20 or 30 miles without getting completely exhausted. Most of the creek trails are relatively flat, while Shady Canyon gives you a chance to put the motor to work on some pretty serious hills. Irvine also has a 20 mph limit on sidewalks. Generally, I ride 20mph on most of the paved trails and I slow down for pedestrians. I've never had an issue.

Riding from Irvine to Newport Beach and Huntington Beach

One of the coolest things about this trail network is that you can actually ride all the way from Irvine to the beach. The easiest route I've found is to follow the San Diego Creek Trail toward Newport Back Bay, where you can continue around the bay on the Mountains to Sea Trail and eventually make your way onto Balboa Island. It's a beautiful ride, and you go from suburban neighborhoods and shaded creek paths to coastal wetlands and ocean views without having to spend much time riding alongside traffic. Getting from Back Bay to the actual beach is a little tricky because you do eventually have to deal with some regular streets and intersections. My favorite way is to cross Jamboree Road and Route 1 toward Balboa Island, ride through the island and take the Balboa Island Ferry across to the Balboa Peninsula. You can bring your bike right onto the ferry, and the short crossing is a fun part of the trip. The fare is $1.50 for a rider a bike each way. It takes about 5 minutes to cross. Once you're on the Balboa Peninsula, you're right in Newport Beach, with restaurants, shops and the ocean. You can continue north through Newport Beach toward Huntington Beach, where the coastal bike paths offer miles of riding with ocean views. From Huntington Beach, you can also connect to the Santa Ana River Trail, opening up another long route inland. It's pretty amazing how far you can travel on a bike through Orange County when you start connecting these different trail systems.

Plenty of Options for Loops, Food and Longer Rides

What makes Irvine's trails so much fun is that you're not limited to riding one path out and back. There are several ways to combine Jeffrey Open Space, Hicks Canyon, Walnut Trail, Peters Canyon, Shady Canyon and San Diego Creek into longer rides. You can put together a shorter neighborhood loop, spend a couple of hours exploring Irvine or make a full day out of riding to Newport Beach and back. Some connections still require street crossings or short on-road sections, but much of the network is made up of dedicated paths. Another great thing is how easy it is to find somewhere to eat. You're riding through a city with hundreds of restaurants, coffee shops and shopping centers, and many are just a short detour off the trail. You can stop for lunch, grab a coffee or take a break without having to drive anywhere. That combination of paved trails, safe neighborhoods, beautiful parks and convenient food stops is pretty hard to find in most cities.

Why I Think These Are Some of Orange County's Best Bike Trails

I've ridden a lot of paved bike trails, and Irvine's network is one of my favorites because of how everything connects. You can ride through shaded parks, quiet neighborhoods, scenic canyons and coastal wetlands, all on the same trip. The trails are well maintained, generally not too crowded and offer plenty of options whether you want an easy afternoon ride or something much longer. Irvine has more than 113 miles of off-street bikeways, which is pretty impressive for a single city.