• Distance: 2.6 miles spherical trip
• Level of issue: Easy
This beginner hike is on a shady trail that has lots of tree cowl on the path to an 18-foot waterfall. Be prepared to get your ft wet, because the trail generally runs immediately alongside the creek and crosses it a number of points. Young or nervous hikers should know that near the waterfall, the canyon partitions develop nearer and the trail turns into rockier. But in any other case, the hike stays pretty flat and manageable for the size of the trail, with a really slight incline in course of the falls, so households can make this a fast, enjoyable outing. This trail isn’t stroller-friendly.
To get to the trailhead:From the PCH, flip inland on Sunset Boulevard (approximately one mile north of Will Rogers State Beach). Travel one-half mile on Sunset Boulevard and turn left on Palisades Drive. After 2.4 miles flip left onto Vereda De La Montura. The trailhead will be on the right facet of Vereda De La Montura approximately zero.2 miles after the turn, before the gate.
This secluded waterfall is a perfect place for calm reflection—or rock climbing! Photo by Mommy Poppins
• Distance: 1.5 miles round trip
• Level of problem: Easy
Paradise Falls counts as one of LA’s favourite hidden gems, with a lush waterfall on a hike so quick and easy it can be carried out pretty spontaneously. Signs alongside the greatest way make the waterfall straightforward to search out. The water is flowing this 12 months and wonderful to behold, however note that this is not water clear sufficient to take a plunge in. The hike is beautiful and properly maintained, with plenty of relaxation or snacking spots along the way in which (including at a shaded tepee lookout) and the trails are broad enough for strollers, although if you occur to come back proper after a rain, strollers can get caught within the mud.
To get to the trailhead: Take the one hundred and one Freeway to Thousand Oaks to exit forty five for Lynn Road. Drive north for 2.5 miles on Lynn Road, and turn left on Avenida de los Arboles. Drive to the tip of the road and park within the lot on the left. If the lot is full, don’t park within the neighborhood! (You’ll get a ticket.) Park just a few blocks down the road at the Wildwood Neighborhood Park, where you may additionally find tennis courts, a playground, and additional restrooms. Dogs on leashes and bikes are welcome. No charge or permit is required.
Eaton Canyon’s waterfall is a popular hike. Photo courtesy of Tim Wilson
• Distance: 3 miles round journey
• Level of problem: Easy
Eaton Canyon houses a strong forty’ waterfall that is not hard to seek out alongside a trail lined with blooms in springtime. When the water is flowing, expect to get your feet moist; a plentiful water supply will make the streams fairly high. If you’ve obtained a stroller, you will not want to take all of it the way to the falls, however strollers will be fine on the shorter paths near the Nature Center.
To get to the trailhead: Take the Altadena exit off the 210 Freeway in Pasadena. Head north on Altadena Drive. The Eaton Canyon Nature Area is a of couple miles up the highway on the proper previous New York Drive. Pull into the park, go away your vehicle within the lot by the nature middle and start hiking north. Dogs on leash are welcome.
Millard Falls is an easy walk for little ones. Photo by Elika & Shannon through flickr
• Distance: 1.2 miles round journey
• Level of problem: Easy
Luckily theMillard Campground is open once more after being closed in 2021 because of the Bobcat Fire. No extra prolonged hiking just to achieve the trailhead! Once again this is a relatively brief and gently family-friendly trail to a Y-shaped, 50-foot waterfall within the Angeles National Forest. The hike runs alongside the creek that feeds the falls, making for a pleasant walk that may get moist and slippery, relying on latest rainfall. Dogs are allowed on leashes. Not a stroller-friendly trail.
To get to the trailhead: The trailhead is within the Millard Picnic Area and Campground, from where the trail is well marked. Rangers warn that the trails may be closed as a outcome of excessive fireplace hazard, so make sure to verify earlier than venturing out. A $5 National Forest Adventure Pass is required to park a car on the car parking zone.
• Distance: 5 miles round journey
• Level of issue: Moderate
Switzer Falls, or Switzerland as some like to name the area, is a great selection for a day hike, with swimming holes and a 50′ waterfall as a payoff. Be prepared to get feet wet and spend a few hours on this trail (especially going at children’ pace). Also, teach little ones the old “Leaves of three, watch out for me” rule, as there might be fairly a bit of poison oak in these woods. This hike isn’t stroller friendly.
To get to the trailhead: From the 210 Freeway in La Cañada Flintridge, take the Angeles Crest Highway (CA 2) northwest for 10 miles to the Switzer Picnic Area. Descend to the car parking zone, show your adventure cross, and start hiking. If the lot on the picnic area is full, there’s further parking at the prime of the highway. Dogs and bikes are welcome. A National Forest Adventure Pass is required to park a car on the Switzer Picnic Area and trailhead car parking zone. It is possible to purchase a $5 parking move on the Shell station right off the two Freeway.
So this is why they name it Heart Rock… Photo by Logan Brumm through Flickr
• Distance: 1.7 miles spherical trip
• Level of difficulty: Easy
This waterfall hike is not solely straightforward, nevertheless it also has an added picture op: a heart-shaped pure gap within the rock next to the falls that is nearly a bigger draw than the cascade itself. The trail is easy to search out, but if in doubt, follow the hearts painted on rocks along the best way. There are a quantity of methods down, though, all of which lead to the famous rock. The water and photo ops are plentiful, although the autumn is usually more of a trickle. This hike is a bit of a drive from some elements of Los Angeles, however well value it. This easy hike is stroller-friendly, too.
To get to the trailhead: From the 210 Freeway in San Bernardino, take exit seventy six for Waterman Avenue (Highway 18). Drive north on Waterman Avenue, which leaves town after 2 miles and becomes Rim of the World Highway. At eleven.three miles from the 210 Freeway, take the exit ramp onto Route 138 West. Drive 2.6 miles via Crestline and the Valley of Enchantment to the doorway of Camp Seeley. Turn left on Forest Service Road 2N03, move the camp and follow the dust highway throughout Seeley Creek and over a rise to the trailhead, 0.four miles from Route 138 the place the filth highway turns into gated. The trail to Heart Rock begins subsequent to a marker labeled 4W07. Dogs on leash are welcome. No payment or permit is required.
• Distance: 2.four miles round trip
• Level of issue: Easy/Moderate
Temescal Canyon is a gorgeous hike in the Santa Monica Mountains. In fact, it’s one of the best hikes round for kids of all ages. The solely problem is when rains have been gentle, this waterfall is more of a trickle. But if you can hit this hike quickly after a rainstorm, you’ll be rewarded with a beautiful sight. From the parking lot, take the trail previous the Cheadle Dining Hall, and a small grassy subject will appear. This is a good spot to picnic and play earlier than starting the true hike. While relatively brief, simply over a mile to the falls, the trail just about goes up all the way, so little legs get drained and may need to take a couple of breaks. But the upside of that is when you attain the waterfall, it’s downhill all the way residence. Narrow strollers could make it many of the means up this trail, nevertheless it’s tough going to get to the waterfall with a stroller.
To get to the trailhead: From Pacific Coast Hwy, flip inland on Temescal Canyon Rd. Cross Sunset Blvd. to enter the park. Parking is available in several heaps for $12 per day. The hike begins on the parking lot at Temescal Gateway Park. The ranger station is currently closed, but the loos stay open.
• Distance: ~3 miles round trip
• Level of difficulty: Easy
Not far from Paradise Falls in Thousand Oaks is Sycamore Canyon Falls. Technically situated in Newbury Park (which is a half of town of Thousand Oaks), this trail is a superb place to experience a soothing, multi-tiered waterfall with out much problem. The trail is about three miles lengthy and there are different attractions near the paths, including the Satwiwa Native American Indian Culture Center, views of Boney Mountain, and views of Hidden Valley. If you are feeling really adventurous, Big Sycamore Canyon Rd. cross the Santa Monica Mountains and spits you out at Sycamore Cove Beach—it’s comparatively flat and older children may do it, but bear in mind it’s about 15 miles to the ocean and back. Strollers aren’t beneficial on this trail.
To get to the trailhead: From the a hundred and one Freeway take the Lynn Road exit. Follow it for about 6 miles and take a left on Sycamore Canyon Trailhead, which leads you to the parking lot.
Sturtevant Falls in all its glory after the rains. Photo by Jim Thoburn via Flickr
Due to the Bobcat Fires, the paths at Sturtevant Falls stay closeduntil April 1, 2022. We will replace this data when the park reopens.
• Distance: three.7 miles spherical journey
• Level of difficulty: Easy
The water is gushing at this San Gabriel Mountains spot this season; the waterfall is pleasant, but costume for the moist, as the water should be crossed a few occasions to reach your objective. The trail is mostly shaded and might often get chilly, though the uphill section on the best way back would possibly make you break a sweat. This is a popular trail on the weekends, so the sooner you’ll be able to set out the higher, as the parking lot fills up. While the hike is doable for even little legs, strollers aren’t really helpful.
To get to the trailhead: Take the 210 east through Pasadena to Arcadia. Exit on Santa Anita Avenue and head north. Go up the mountain for five miles until the highway ends at Chantry Flats. Dogs on leash are welcome. A National Forest Adventure Pass is required to park a vehicle on the trailhead at Chantry Flats. Be positive to pay the $5 for parking, utilizing an envelope if nobody is there to gather.
Due to the Bobcat Fires, the trails at Monrovia Canyon Park stay closed indefinitely. We will update this information when the park reopens.
• Distance: 1.6 miles spherical journey
• Level of issue: Easy/Moderate
This 30′ waterfall within the San Gabriel Mountains has a classic wooded setting along a trail that units off from the Monrovia Canyon Park Nature Center. The water typically flows year-round, but it is particularly full after a moist winter, in fact. The trail is mostly shaded and the incline is gradual, making this a fairly light method to see a gratifying waterfall. There are spots along the trail that will require some wading, depending on how a lot rain there has been, making this trail unsuitable for strollers.
To get to the trailhead: Take the 210 Freeway to Monrovia (east of Arcadia and Pasadena). Take exit 34 onto Myrtle Ave. and drive north for 1.1 miles to Foothill Boulevard. Turn right, drive 4 blocks to Canyon Boulevard and switch left. Drive north for 1.6 miles to the park entrance station, making a pair of right turns to stay on Canyon Boulevard. The decrease lot for Bill Cull Trail is to the left of the entrance station. The nature heart is one other 0.6 miles up the highway. Dogs on leash are welcome. The entrance charge is $5 per vehicle weekdays, $6 weekends.
Originally printed in 2017, this article is up to date yearly.