Best Places to Live if You Love the Outdoors

What’s your idea of the perfect place to live? If you’re someone who loves spending time outdoors, then you might want to consider moving to one of the many towns and cities that are perfect for nature lovers.

From coastal towns with stunning ocean views, to mountain villages with plenty of hiking trails, there’s something for everyone when it comes to living in a place that encourages an active outdoor lifestyle.

So if you’re looking for a change of scenery, or just want to find the best spot in the country to enjoy all that nature has to offer, read on for our list of the best places to live if you love the great outdoors.

Boulder, Colorado

Boulder is well-known as an outdoorsman’s hotspot.

If you want to live somewhere that feels like a small town but is close enough to all the amenities of a major metropolitan area, Boulder is your best bet. 

The city of Boulder has been working hard to preserve open space since the 1970s. Nowadays, the city has a green belt around it.

Many residents enjoy hiking or biking along the trails. There are also lots of places to go fishing or camping.

Boulder County is very bicycle friendly, with numerous bike lanes and paths throughout the city. Mass transit is excellent, with buses running frequently and inexpensively. Residents are quite fit and healthy, and the local parks offer many amenities.

The city itself is beautiful and filled with amazing hiking trails, but what really sets it apart from other cities is the surrounding mountains.

Below are just a few of the great outdoor activities that Boulder, Colorado offers.

Hiking

There are trails aplenty in and around Boulder. The Bobolink Trail is one of the most popular in the area.

It has plenty of signs to help hikers navigate the terrain, offers an excellent opportunity for birdwatching, and provides an accessible yet rewarding trail.

Mesa Trail is a more advanced hiking opportunity. It is seven miles long and has various biomes to explore.

Fly-Fishing

Rocky Mountain Anglers is an organization that schedules guided fishing trips. It makes for a great way to acclimate yourself to the streams of Colorado.

You’ll find some of the best fishing spots in the area and learn exactly what hides below the rivers and lakes of Colorado.

San Diego, California

There are many fine cities in the United States, but only one bears the title, “America’s Finest City.” That city is San Diego, California.

In fact, San Diego is a city with it all – great beaches, beautiful scenery, friendly locals, and a never-sleeping energy that pulsates throughout the entire city.

Simply put, if your idea of fun includes endless sunshine, stunning beaches, beautiful bluffs, outdoor adventures, and a never-ending supply of tacos and beer, then San Diego is the place for you!

The weather is primarily mild year-round in San Diego and makes for a great road trip from Los Angeles (also on this list!).

This makes it the go-to destination for outdoors people who do not want to limit themselves to seasonal activities.

There are beautiful Del Mar homes for sale located near Torrey Pines State Beach and Reserve, meaning it’s easy to find a suitable location that isn’t far from anything you might want to do.

Hiking

Hiking Torrey Pines Reserve offers some incredible views. The reserve, named after a rare tree that grows in the area, is right near the ocean.

You’ll be able to find a series of wildflowers, some that grow exclusively in the area. Its close vicinity to the beach also provides you with a great place to cool down.

You may even see a gray whale during the winter months.

Gliding

Torrey Pines also has a glider-port that you can launch hang gliders from or make your leap off the edge for paragliding.

The area offers one of the most fantastic views of the Pacific Ocean as it sits atop a cliff overlooking Black’s Beach – a popular local surf spot.

If you prefer skydiving, you’ll get a fantastic view of neighboring Mexico.

Seattle, Washington

Seattle is the perfect blend of wilderness and city life. You are never far from civilization when you are taking in all of the sights that Washington offers.

Seattle is widely known to be a paradise for those who love the outdoors. It gets its nickname – Emerald City – because it‘s covered in flora.

In addition to being home to Amazon, Microsoft, Starbucks, Nordstrom, Costco, Boeing, and many other major corporations, Seattle offers more than 200 parks, beaches, hiking trails, museums, and cultural attractions.

Green spaces are plentiful in this metropolis, and residents are proud of their environmental efforts. Parks, trails and waterways abound, and the city boasts excellent public transportation.

Discovery Park

Discovery Park is a vast 534-acre park that hasn’t been touched by man’s modern tools and infrastructure.

It is one of the last true wildernesses in the United States, and the possibilities for activities are near endless.

You can go for a hike, fish, and take in all of the beautiful scenery.

Stowe, Vermont

Stowe is a well-kept secret for outdoorspeople. It is a beautiful area that is conveniently located nearby anything you would ever need.

There are plenty of activities to do in the area too.

Skiing

Skiing is a popular activity in Stowe. Mt. Mansfield makes for a significant ski slope, and there are various difficulties present on the mountain.

You will find a trail that is perfect for your skill level.

Charleston, South Carolina

Charleston has all the benefits of living in the rigid southern lands and the convenience of living in a big city.

You will never have to go far to buy something you need; however, the outdoors and plenty of activities are never far away either.

Beach Activities

Charleston hosts a slew of different beach activities. Many of the beaches in South Carolina also make for great surfing.

Charleston, South Carolina, is a great place to live for anyone that likes warm weather all year round.

Los Angeles, California

The city of angels has many things going for it. From its proximity to Hollywood to its cultural diversity, LA is home to some of the most interesting people on the planet as well as a never-ending list of things to do outside in the year-round sunshine.

With more than 50 miles of coastline along the Pacific Ocean, Los Angeles offers a wide variety of activities including surfing, hiking, fishing, horseback riding, golfing, sailing, boating, camping, swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, skiing and even zip lining.

My personal favorite is stand up paddle boarding around King Harbor in Redondo Beach.

In addition to the ocean, visitors can enjoy cultural attractions such as museums, art galleries, theaters, zoos, music venues, sports arenas, and much more.