Everyone loves being outdoors in the summertime. How much you enjoy being outside depends on where you are in the world. Being from Los Angeles, I’m a sucker for a nice ocean breeze and a consistent 80-90 degree temperature. When I visit my grandmother in Mississippi the humidity knocks my desire down a few notches 😂. Regardless of where I am, one of my new found hobbies is hiking. I have no idea why I’m just now hopping on the hiking bandwagon but I’m so happy to be here. There’s nothing better than trekking along a mountain with nothing but trees and rock all around you. Southern California offers some pretty awesome trails with great views. The famous Hollywood sign trail and Griffith Park trail are only two of the amazing paths you can explore. Here are my 3 recommendations for SoCal hiking trails you need to visit this summer.
Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area
Kenneth Hahn Park is my vote for an easy, beginner friendly trail. Located in the Baldwin Hills area of Southern California, Kenneth Hahn is a great introduction to the outdoors if you aren’t ready to travel far off the beaten path just yet. I attended many events here growing up but didn’t start exploring the hiking trails until last year. My favorite thing about Kenneth Hahn is you don’t have to travel far to experience a trail that will give you a decent workout. Other hikes require you to drive hours but Kenneth Hahn is smackdab in the center of the metro area. There are many different trailheads and lookout points offering amazing views of Downtown LA and Culver City. Grab your crew or your family and head out!
Vasquez Rocks Trail
If you are looking for a beginner-intermediate hiking trail, look no further than the Vasquez Rocks Trail in Agua Dolce, CA. This trail is about an hour away from the Greater LA area but the scenic landscape and amazing rock formations make the photo opps worth the drive. Honestly, this is probably the closest you will get to experiencing Pride Rock from the Lion King movie without hopping on a plane. The trail itself is pretty flat and doesn’t require hiking shoes but if you plan to climb up any of the rock formations you may want to invest in specialized hiking boots. I didn’t have any when I visited the trail and almost twisted my ankle 5 times trying to get photos at the top of the cliffs. Anything for a good “queen of the world” moment!
Escondido Falls Trail
Rounding out my list of SoCal hiking trails is none other than the trail to Escondido Falls located in the Santa Monica Mountains. This trail is a gem because it features one of the best waterfalls in Southern California. A quick drive up the Pacific Coast Highway leads to this trail nestled among some of the nicest homes Malibu has to offer. You may get confused by the paved road that begins the trail but just follow the path and you will eventually come to an open field. If you are feeling daring you can head down into the canyon through the field (be careful not to step on any lizards or rabbits). Otherwise, there is a sign that reads “Edward Albert Escondido Canyon Trail and Waterfall” marking the official start of the hiking trail.
Escondido Falls has two different tiers, each with a different waterfall payoff. Tier 1 is an easy 1 mile hike into the trail. It ends with a waterfall surrounded by a small creek (pictured). Tier 2 is where ish gets real. To see the larger waterfall at the top of Escondido Canyon, you will have to climb to 200 feet. Proper hiking boots are required for this part of the hike. I visited Escondido Falls for the first time this past weekend and made my way to Tier 1. I plan to go back soon to try my hand at conquering Tier 2.
If you want to see me tackle Tier 1, check out my latest Youtube video below:
So there you have it! My list of the top 3 SoCal hiking trails you should check out this summer. And of course if you absolutely must, go ahead and throw in another visit to the Hollywood sign. It is, after all, a classic!
