7 Spring Hikes That Are Less Than An Hour's Transit From Los Angeles
Warmer weather is just around the corner, and that means one thing. We're all searching for sunny skies and new places to explore. If you're a lover of the great outdoors, it's time to plan your next trip. We've found the best hiking spots near Los Angeles that are perfect for spring.
From hidden waterfalls and hidden ruins to pup-friendly trails and scenic ocean views, there's something here for every kind of traveler.Â
Runyon Canyon Park
Price: Free
Difficulty: Easy distance and elevation gain; watch your footing for loose gravel.
Location: 2000 N Fuller Ave., Los Angeles, CA
Why You Should Go: This 2.7-mile roundtrip hike leads you to gorgeous city skyline views overlooking all of Los Angeles. It’s especially spectacular at sunset. Plus, it's dog-friendly.
Eaton Canyon Falls Trail
Price: Free
Difficulty: Easy
Location: 1750 North Altadena Drive, Pasadena, CA
Why you should go: This 3.5-mile roundtrip easy hike takes you through the Santa Monica Mountains to a 40-foot waterfall. It's pretty much a flat trail most of the way there and back.
Bridge to Nowhere
Price: Small parking fee
Difficulty: Difficult
Location: Camp Bonita Rd, La Verne, CA
Why You Should Go: Are you looking to tackle something a little more challenging? This 10-mile trek takes you through the San Gabriel Mountains through multiple creek crossings. If you're lucky, you might see some Bighorn Sheep along the way.
Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park
Price: Free
Difficulty: Moderate
Location: 9853 Andora Ave, Chatsworth, CA
Why You Should Go: This park was once used as a pathway for historic stagecoaches traveling west. Besides beautiful natural features, you might even see a seasonal waterfall or remains of the old carriages below the trail. You can find full directions for a 5-mile trek here.
Escondido Falls
Price: $8 parking fee
Hours: 24 hours
Location: Escondido Canyon Trail, Malibu, CA
Why You Need To Go: At the right time of the year, this seasonal waterfall can reach 150 feet tall. You can even bring your leashed dogs on this hike. The upper falls are located on private property and are not open to the public, but you can see gorgeous views from the designated trails.
El Matador State Beach
Price: $8 parking fee
Difficulty: Easy (steep, short walk)
Location: 32350 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA
Why You Should Go: This easy walk will take you to one of Malibu's best-kept secrets. There's plenty of sea caves to explore, and the way the massive rocks frame the sparkling blue ocean water is stunning.
Wisdom Tree and Cahuenga Peak
Price: Free
Difficulty: Moderate
Location: Tree of Life Trail, Los Angeles, CA
Why You Should Go: This 1.6-mile roundtrip trail will take you to the top of a beautiful overlook in Los Angeles among wildflowers. When you reach the top, you can seek shade underneath the famed 'wisdom tree,' which survived a blazing 2009 wildfire.
No matter what type of adventurer you are, there's something on this list for everyone. Spring is an ideal time to hit the trails near Los Angeles. The weather's cool, flowers are blooming, and there is plenty of sunshine to go around.
We strongly advise that before you go swimming or visit any location, you check the most recent updates on potential hazards, security, water quality, and closures. If you do plan to visit a location, respect the environment.