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Best Hiking Areas Near Los Angeles: Local Favorites & Hidden Gems

Whether you’re a first-timer hunting for a shady canyon stroll or a peak-bagger training for big alpine days, greater LA is absurdly rich in trail options. Within a 90-minute drive you can wander coastal bluffs, ramble through live-oak woodlands, climb to 10,000-foot summits, and pick your way through lunar sandstone. This guide organizes the best hiking areas near los angeles by region and style, then gives you practical, up-to-date logistics (parking passes, recent closures, dog rules, and wildfire impacts) so you can spend less time scrolling and more time moving.

Quick answer (and how to choose fast)

Essential logistics (read this before you go)

Parking passes & fees. Many Angeles National Forest trailheads require a day-use fee. A Forest Adventure Pass or America the Beautiful Interagency Pass covers most standard amenity sites on the Angeles, Cleveland, Los Padres, and San Bernardino National Forests. Note that at Mountain High concession-managed sites in the Angeles, the Big Pines Parking Pass replaces the Adventure Pass—so check the specific trailhead. US Forest Service+1

Recent reopenings & closures.

  • Chantry Flat (Sturtevant Falls): Reopened in Oct 2024 after Bobcat Fire recovery; subsequent temporary closures have lifted, and hikes to Sturtevant Falls are open—parking fills early. Adventure Pass required at Chantry. smsr.org+2The Cranky Camper+2
  • Eaton Canyon: Closed until further notice due to the Eaton Fire; confirm status before driving. Los Angeles County – Parks & Recreation
  • Sam Merrill (middle) Trail: Closed due to the Eaton Fire; alternate routes may be open—verify current notices. US Forest Service

Dogs. Rules change by park: for example, dogs are not allowed on Los Liones/Parker Mesa within Topanga State Park; Runyon Canyon has off-leash zones but follow posted rules. L.A. County Trails+1

Weather & safety. Summer heat is no joke; carry more water than you think you need, avoid exposed ridges midday, and watch for rattlesnakes and poison oak. In winter/spring storms, creeks swell and rockfall increases; Baldy can hold snow/ice—treat it like a real mountain and bring traction when needed. (See Baldy caution in the hike section below.) HikingGuy

The best hiking areas near los angeles (by region)

1) Griffith Park (Los Feliz / Hollywood Hills)

Why go: The city’s backyard: 50+ miles of official trails, skyline-and-sign views, old zoo ruins, and multiple loop options for all levels. LAParks

Signature hikes:

  • Mount Hollywood from Griffith Observatory (easy-moderate, ~2.5–5 mi): Classic panoramas over DTLA and the Observatory; countless variations. California Through My Lens
  • Old Zoo Loop (easy, ~2.5 mi): Stroll past relic cages and picnic meadows—great for families. AllTrails.com

Good to know: Use the official park map to plan multi-peak links (e.g., Hogback → Glendale Peak → Dante’s View). Weekends = heavy crowds; sunrise or golden hour midweek is bliss. LAParks

2) Runyon Canyon Park (Hollywood)

Why go: A social climb with big-city energy and sweeping views; quick workout loops from 1–3 miles.

Signature loops: Runyon Canyon Fire Road / Star Trail combos (easy-moderate, 1–3 mi).

Good to know: No restrooms; heat advisory signage is common. Dogs off-leash in designated areas only—watch etiquette and yield on narrow sections. LAParks

3) Will Rogers State Historic Park & Temescal Canyon (Pacific Palisades)

Why go: Two neighboring hubs that deliver ocean-to-downtown sightlines, classic canyon greenery, and Backbone Trail access.

Signature hikes:

  • Inspiration Point Loop at Will Rogers (moderate, ~2–3 mi): Gentle grade to benches with commanding views; a reliable “bring visiting friends” route. California State Parks+1
  • Temescal Canyon Loop (moderate, ~3–4 mi): Waterfall after rains, ridge-top skyline/ocean vistas; popular and close to the city. National Park Service

Good to know: Day-use parking fees apply in state parks; start early for shade. California State Parks

4) Topanga State Park: Los Liones to Parker Mesa Overlook

Why go: LA’s largest wildland inside city limits, with 36 miles of trails through chaparral, oak woodlands, and coastal bluffs. The Los Liones approach is the prettiest way to the iconic Parker Mesa benches. California State Parks

Signature hike:

  • Los Liones → Parker Mesa Overlook (moderate, 7–8 mi round trip if you start low): Lush canyon to big Pacific views; no dogs on this route. L.A. County Trails+1

Good to know: The County’s trail page provides clear directions to staging areas along Los Liones Drive. L.A. County Trails

5) Solstice Canyon (Malibu)

Why go: A rare perennial creek with shade, historical ruins, and short-to-moderate loops for all levels.

Signature options:

  • Solstice Canyon Trail → Roberts Ranch Ruins (easy, ~2–3 mi)
  • Rising Sun Trail loop (moderate, ~3–4 mi) for warmer, view-rich ridges.

Good to know: NPS maintains current access info; keep expectations realistic—the waterfall is modest but reliable. National Park Service+1

6) Escondido Canyon Park & Escondido Falls (Malibu)

Why go: One of the region’s most photogenic lower falls after rains, reached via a gentle canyon path.

Signature hike:

  • Winding Way → Lower Escondido Falls (easy, ~3.5–4 mi). Upper Falls are closed to the public—don’t scramble past closures. mrca.ca.gov

7) Point Mugu State Park (western Malibu / Ventura line)

Why go: Rugged coastal mountains, rolling grasslands, and some of the best ocean-from-summit shots in SoCal.

Signature hikes:

  • Mugu Peak Loop (moderate-hard, ~2.7–3.7 mi): Straight-up, straight-down quad burner with an epic payoff. AllTrails.com+1
  • La Jolla Valley meadows and loops for gentler mileage.

Good to know: 13,000–14,000 acres and 60–70+ miles of trails offer room to roam; expect day-use fees at state park lots. California State Parks+1

8) Malibu Creek State Park (Calabasas/Malibu border)

Why go: Streamside trails, volcanic rock pools, and Hollywood history (MAS*H filming sites) in one of LA’s most beloved parklands.

Signature hikes:

  • Rock Pool (easy family outing)
  • MAS*H site (moderate, ~4–5 mi) through oak savannah.

Good to know: The park spans 4,000–8,000+ acres depending on the boundary you use; plan from official pages for entrance, hours, and parking. California State Parks+2Malibu Creek State Park+2

9) Portuguese Bend Reserve (Palos Verdes)

Why go: Undulating ocean-view singletrack across an active landslide complex; spring wildflowers and Catalina vistas.

Signature loops: 2.5–5+ miles linking Burma Road, Ishibashi, Barn Owl and other trails. (Maps and current rules from the City are excellent.) Rancho Palos Verdes+1

Good to know: Trail segments occasionally close after storms/maintenance—check the City page before you go. Rancho Palos Verdes

10) Vasquez Rocks Natural Area (Agua Dulce)

Why go: Tilted sandstone fins make this the most “Mars-like” day hike near LA—and a film/TV icon.

Signature options:

  • Main Park Loop (easy, ~3–4 mi) with detours onto the Pacific Crest Trail. L.A. County Trails

Good to know: The County manages an excellent visitors center; hours and PCT details are on official pages. Los Angeles County – Parks & Recreation

11) Sam Merrill → Echo Mountain (Altadena)

Why go: A history-rich climb on the old Mount Lowe Railway grade to ruins and big front-range views.

Signature hike:

  • Lower Sam Merrill to Echo Mountain (moderate, ~5–6 mi; 1,400’ gain). Check fire-related notices; the Sam Merrill (middle) Trail remains closed due to the Eaton Fire. HikingGuy+1

12) Chantry Flat → Sturtevant Falls (Sierra Madre)

Why go: A quintessential San Gabriel waterfall walk through Big Santa Anita Canyon cabins and shaded creeks.

Signature hike:

  • Sturtevant Falls (easy-moderate, ~3.5 mi). Expect heavy demand on weekends; arrive early. An Adventure Pass is required to park at Chantry Flat. AllTrails.com+1

Reopening note: The area reopened Oct 2024 after long Bobcat Fire closures; some side trails remain recovering—obey signs. smsr.org

13) Bridge to Nowhere (East Fork San Gabriel River)

Why go: A 10-mile river-canyon adventure to a 1930s arch bridge stranded deep in the Sheep Mountain Wilderness; multiple river crossings, hot-day swimming. HikingGuy

Good to know: Parking is limited; bring sandals for crossings. Day-use fees/Adventure Pass rules apply in much of the forest—check the USFS site before you go. US Forest Service

14) Mount Baldy (Mount San Antonio)

Why go: At 10,064 ft, Baldy is the highest point in LA County—a real alpine workout with summit-to-sea views on clear days. Popular routes include Baldy Bowl (Ski Hut) and Devil’s Backbone. Prepare seriously; conditions can be severe. HikingGuy

15) Icehouse Canyon & the Cucamonga Wilderness (Pomona Valley / Baldy area)

Why go: Granite boulders, cold creeks, and pines deliver a “Sierra feel” close to LA. From Icehouse Saddle, spurs reach Three T’s, Ontario Peak, and Cucamonga Peak.

Permits: A free day-use permit is required to enter parts of the Cucamonga Wilderness beyond Icehouse Saddle (Cucamonga Peak, Etiwanda Peak, etc.); Ontario Peak via Ontario Peak Trail does not need that permit. Check Forest Service details and pick up or apply per current instructions. US Forest Service

Seasonal picks

Crowd-beating strategies

  1. Start early (or late). Sunrise trailheads = cooler temps and easier parking.
  2. Use second-trailhead approaches. E.g., start Topanga ridge walks from the Los Liones Day-Use area rather than the busier park lots. L.A. County Trails
  3. Pick fire road + singletrack combos. You can quickly create loops in Griffith Park using the official map to avoid back-and-forth bottlenecks. LAParks
  4. Watch live closures. During wildfire recovery, county and USFS pages update faster than third-party apps; Eaton Canyon is a prime example. Los Angeles County – Parks & Recreation

Passes & rules cheat sheet

  • Angeles NF day-use: Adventure Pass or Interagency Pass at most trailheads; Big Pines Parking Pass at Mountain High concession-managed sites. Always read the signboard at your lot. US Forest Service+1
  • California State Parks (Malibu Creek, Will Rogers, Point Mugu, Topanga): Day-use parking fees; credit card machines in lots. Check each park’s page for hours and closures. California State Parks+3California State Parks+3California State Parks+3
  • Dogs: Often no dogs on many Topanga trails (including Los Liones → Parker Mesa). Runyon has designated off-leash areas. Always confirm at the kiosk. L.A. County Trails+1
  • Waterfall etiquette: Stay on trail and respect closures—e.g., Upper Escondido Falls is closed to the public for habitat and safety. mrca.ca.gov

Three done-for-you mini-itineraries

A) First-timer’s “Views in a Day”

B) Coastal Canyons & Waterfalls (post-rain)

C) Challenge Day (fit hikers)

  • Mount Baldy via Baldy Bowl up and Devil’s Backbone down (~11 mi, 4k’ gain). Check weather—this is a serious mountain. HikingGuy
  • Alt: Bridge to Nowhere (10 mi river hike) for a technical but lower-elevation adventure. HikingGuy

Area-by-area quick specs (distances & vibe)

  • Griffith Park: 1–10+ mi mix-and-match, city views, historic sites, flexible loops; use the official map to connect peaks. LAParks
  • Runyon Canyon: 1–3 mi, steep in places, social, dog-friendly zones; no restrooms. LAParks
  • Will Rogers / Temescal: 2–5 mi loops with ocean lookouts; day-use fees. California State Parks+1
  • Topanga (Los Liones): 7–8 mi round trip to Parker Mesa if starting low; no dogs on the route. L.A. County Trails+1
  • Solstice Canyon: 2–6 mi options, shaded creek, historic ruins; perennial (modest) falls. National Park Service
  • Escondido Falls: ~4 mi RT; lower falls can be lovely after rain; upper falls off-limits. mrca.ca.gov
  • Point Mugu: 2–10+ mi; steep coastal summits (Mugu Peak) and mellow valleys; day-use fees. AllTrails.com+1
  • Malibu Creek: 2–7 mi; streamside trails, Rock Pool, film history. California State Parks
  • Portuguese Bend: 2–6+ mi; rolling ocean-view singletrack; check trail notices. Rancho Palos Verdes
  • Vasquez Rocks: 1–5 mi; photogenic sandstone fins; PCT segment. Los Angeles County – Parks & Recreation+1
  • Echo Mountain (Sam Merrill): ~5–6 mi; historic railway ruins; confirm closures. HikingGuy+1
  • Sturtevant Falls (Chantry): ~3.5 mi; classic waterfall; Adventure Pass parking. SFGATE
  • Bridge to Nowhere: 10 mi; multiple river crossings; day-use fees where posted. HikingGuy+1
  • Icehouse Canyon & Cucamonga Wilderness: 5–12+ mi; free permit required beyond Icehouse Saddle to certain peaks. US Forest Service
  • Mount Baldy: 8–11+ mi; 4,000’ gain; alpine conditions possible year-round. HikingGuy

Closures & fire recovery watch (2025)

  • Eaton Canyon remains closed due to fire damage; follow LA County Parks updates for reopening. Los Angeles County – Parks & Recreation
  • Chantry Flat / Big Santa Anita Canyon: General access restored, but obey on-site signage as trail crews continue work; parking often hits capacity early. smsr.org

Wildfire seasons now shift dates year to year; before any outing, scan the USFS Angeles and LA County Trails pages for fresh notices, especially after wind events or heavy rain. US Forest Service

Pro tips for a better day out

  • Carry a real map or offline app. Cell service is spotty in Malibu backcountry and the front range canyons. Official PDFs (Griffith Park, LA County Trails, NPS pages) are great to preload. LAParks+1
  • Mind the heat. Many rescues happen on clear 85–100°F days. Start pre-8am in summer; aim for shade: Solstice, Malibu Creek, Big Santa Anita. National Park Service+1
  • Respect closures. Upper Escondido is closed for habitat and safety—tickets (and injuries) aren’t worth it. mrca.ca.gov
  • Know the pass that applies. Adventure/Interagency passes cover most Angeles day-use sites; Big Pines Parking Pass is a special case in concession areas. US Forest Service+1
  • Winter on Baldy ≠ summer in Griffith. Carry layers, microspikes as needed, and a headlamp; check forecasts and avalanche/ice advisories when applicable. HikingGuy

FAQ

What’s the single best “first hike” for a visitor?
Mount Hollywood in Griffith Park: easy access, iconic views, and many bail-out options if your group gets tired. California Through My Lens

I want the classic coastal overlook.
Los Liones to Parker Mesa or Temescal Ridge after a marine layer morning burns off. L.A. County Trails+1

After rain, which waterfalls are worth it?
Sturtevant Falls (open again), Lower Escondido, plus shaded creeks in Malibu Creek SP and Solstice Canyon. National Park Service+3SFGATE+3mrca.ca.gov+3

The hardest popular day?
Mount Baldy for elevation gain and exposure; Bridge to Nowhere for length and river crossings without big altitude. HikingGuy+1

Where can I bring my dog?
Runyon has designated off-leash areas; many state park trails (Topanga/Los Liones) prohibit dogs—always check the kiosk before committing. LAParks+1

Final word

The best hiking areas near los angeles range from 2-mile family strolls to alpine epics. Start with a region that fits your day (city-close views, coast breezes, or mountain challenge), check the current park page for passes/closures, pack extra water, and you’ll have a five-star day on foot.

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