We’ve begun separately sorting the best California hikes OUTSIDE the Sierra Nevada on our list of the best hikes in North America.
The GoBlog has California hiking recommendations including some outside the Sierras:
Climb_Ca’s Top 10 Summer Backpacking Trips
Young Lakes, Yosemite Lost Coast Trail Sykes Hot Springs, Ventana Boy Scout Trail, Joshua Tree (late summer/fall obviously a better time to go to avoid the heat) John Muir Trail (yeah, well, had to throw that in) Saddlebag Lake to McCabe Lakes Desolation Wilderness (pretty much anything, but stay away from the Rubicon 4×4 trail) Mt. Shasta Get Outdoors – Climb_Ca’s Top 10 Summer Backpacking Trips – Getoutdoors.com Outdoor Blog
Saddlebag Lake – source – flickr
besthike.com 
I found this site looking for a good place to hike right out side of NYC and I’ll have to say that I love it.
Thanks for the site – I also nominated you guys for Best Travel Blog on the
Blogger’s Choice Awards. Check it out (http://www.bloggerschoiceawards.com/categories/25?page=27)
You can put a brag badge on your site from the link.
Thanks for the great blog.
aB.
Thanks!
We will check it out.
Rick McCharles