This was such an amazing hike! It's uphill the entire time until the top of the hill, but the…read morepatience was worth it! At the top there's a flag and you can see a panoramic view of Los Angeles. It was such a pretty view, you can see skyscrapers, homes, and a lake/dam. After an intense uphill hike, you'll be treated with a cooling breeze at the top. I recommend going when it's not so hot. The wisdom tree is also at the top of the hill. The whole hike was around 2 hours. I would do it again for the view.

This is one of my favorite trails -- absolutely beautiful with amazing views. I recommend going on…read morea weekday, either early in the morning or around sunset. Avoid the middle of the day unless you're looking for a super hot, intense workout, because there's very little shade. Parts of the trail are rocky and can get a bit slippery, so good shoes with tread are a must. Bring water, wear a hat, and you're good to go. Totally worth it for the scenery!

This was definitely a medium to hard trail in the summer because of the heat and some of the areas…read morethat require one's attention as there is a hillside next to you. We started at 9am ish and I would definitely start at 7am in the future because of the heat in august. The water fall was still there! People got in and the water was refreshing and cool. We found that tadpoles were transforming into frogs in the water so I recommend mindfulness to not step on them as they learn how to properly swim! Tips from our hike and waterfall visit: - we had sufficient water and first aid kit - we took various water breaks - we added mosquito repellent as are some - we had all trails gps to help us navigate trail first time - bring shoes with good ankle support - I would bring electrolytes next time - I would do 3-4-snacks vs. 1-2 next time

Birthday Shaynanigans at Tujunga Falls !!…read more Decided to go on a little adventure on my birthday and got out of San Diego to explore Tujunga Falls. Don't forget to get an adventure pass if you plan to park alongside the road or you'll get a ticket ! It's October so the falls were DRY. Boo. I would love to go back when we get a bit more rainfall, because the waterfalls were non-existent at this time. We ended up calling it 'invisible' falls. Other than that, the hike was great ! It's about 6 miles round trip and took us about 3 hours including taking pictures and testing out a friend's drone ! He's sooo cool ! LOL. Plenty of breathtaking views and the trails were wide enough for a group of hikers. Things to note: Start early so you can avoid the heat ! This will determine how long the hike will take you ! The sun was unforgiving so be prepared ! 'Trail' and 'waterfall' signs will help guide your way ! You'll also notice cabins at the beginning of the trail. After about a mile, you'll experience more of an incline so make sure to stay hydrated. There's barely any shade on this trail so bring a hat and sunscreen as well ! Poison ivy everywhere ! I had a traumatic experience in 6th grade camp when I got poison ivy. I made sure to cover my arms and legs this time just to take precaution. Rattlesnakes !!! We spotted one !!! Eek !! Be cautious of your surroundings. Unstable log bridges !! There was barely any water so hopping on the logs was an option, but do be careful because some are barely stable. Good to have some proper hiking shoes for this. Overall, most of the crossings and lack of water made it easy to traverse. As we got closer to the falls, we found a major descent and a climbing rope which guided us towards the waterfall (or invisible fall). The rope helped aid us up and down the mountain which was great ! Once you reach the waterfall (invisible falls) you'll enjoy the much needed shade and it was a perfect spot to take a fruit break ! We packed some oranges and apples with us ! There's plenty of spots to sit, relax, and enjoy nature ! Overall, it was a pretty good workout for moderate and advanced hikers ! We definitely made a few stops to take pictures and videos of our surroundings ! It was so calm and peaceful ! Perfect time to enjoy mother nature ! We will definitely come back to experience the REAL DEAL of the waterfalls ! Go out there and hike friends !!

A huge thank-you to the Topanga State Park ranger who pointed me to this trailhead and helped me…read morefind the Humboldt lily I was looking for, my latest rare native plant treasure hunt. I had driven up to the Entrada entrance of TSP with nothing more than a rumor that lilies were blooming in the Santa Monica Mountains, somewhere. This ranger went above and beyond, giving me hiking tips, pointers on where I could find the flowers, and even showing me his own pics of the gorgeous native plant. This trailhead lies right next to a luxurious housing development, landscaped with 100% non-native and non-drought tolerant plants. (Aargh.) I found parking easily on the street; there is no admission fee at this entrance. The first few steps of the trail are covered with concrete, which itself is covered with graffiti. A typical urban hike. As you hike onwards, you're in a beautiful forest, watered by a creek, with lots of native plants to be found including the aforementioned lilies and the native California wild rose. This would be a great hike on a hot summer's day. Take only pictures, leave only footprints. Look out for poison oak. Don't forget water and the bug spray of your choice.

Not enough signage on the trail. Make sure you will remember how to come back…read moreAnd just follow the trail. Bring enough water and snacks if youll get hungry. Its cold and has alot of shades when we went there (spring time). including stopping to take pictures. It took us 4 hrs roundtrip. We parked at the address provided here. Paid the parking ticket. Big lot to park. Bring extra clothes and get ready to get your shoes/socks wet. Just remember not to touch plants and bringing a trail sticks will be helpful. Overall its worth it!

I've lived near this area on and off for a decade, and had no idea this spot existed! So glad to…read morehave found it. It's definitely a hidden gem to get out in nature and away from the city. There are multiple areas to go and either hike, or hang out. Benches. A good parking lot. The small hike to the top of the canyon is gorgeous. Only about 15-20 minutes and the views are great. They have working bathrooms that aren't gross. It's not an extraordinary or fancy park or anything, but it's the perfect place to just be in nature. I'm looking forward to going back! Only bummer is it looks like there was a nature center that's been closed since 2023. It looked like it would've been cool. Same with the amphitheater.

We've been here several times already, and every time I come back, I find something new to enjoy…read moreabout this place. The drive to Franklin Canyon is already beautiful, very green and peaceful. Once you get there, it feels quiet and relaxing, almost like you're not in LA anymore. There are a lot of trails depending on what kind of walk you want, plus many picnic tables if you want to bring food and spend a few hours there. The main lake is beautiful, but my favorite part is the smaller pond with turtles, ducks, and huge koi fish. The animals are very used to people and come pretty close, which makes it really fun to watch. If you walk higher up near the fire station, the views are amazing. There's also an amphitheater and a small museum area that I still want to visit next time Everything feels clean and well maintained, including the restrooms, and they even have water for dogs if you come with your pet. Overall, it's just a really peaceful place with a calming atmosphere. Definitely recommend if you want a little nature escape without driving too far from the city.

Never been here but all trees deserve 5 stars, respect, and love as members of our planet.read more

In this world where technology was developed to better connect us, it unfortunately sometimes seems…read moreto bring us further apart ...except here on Yelp ;) of course. Please know and believe that someone will always be there for you even though you feel like you're alone ...hope this tree reminds and inspires you of such, being true. As the book "The Giving Tree" (written by Shel Silverstein in 1964) is about a little boy and a tree that was there for him, through out his lifetime ... Hiked to the Wisdom/Giving tree via the Wonder View Trailhead. If you aren't use to hiking this could be a challenging, uphill, less than 1 mile hike. Not much shade this route. Bring water wear a hat and sunblock, especially in this summer heat. Limited free parking. Stay safe and healthy (mind, body and soul) Yelping out there :)

There's not much more I can say that hasn't already been said…read more Dave organized my party (a group of six twenty-something year olds) to explore and paddleboard on the Malibu seas for my 23rd birthday. We met up in the early morning in Marina Del Rey and promptly got on his boat, which was SUPER comfortable - like a living room on the seas. Dave allowed us to bring food and drink (and draaank :P) and even provided us with a cooler & ice. Not only that, but when we realized we neglected to bring cups to hold our mimosas in, Dave had extra on his boat - now that's what I call amazing service! On our trip, we ran into a school of dolphins and my group was positively ECSTATIC. Later, we paddleboarded in an area of open water. Throughout the whole thing, Dave was incredibly knowledgeable and patient, and most importantly, extremely chill to be around. My friends and I don't exactly do this often, but we're so glad we did! To anyone who is hesitant about learning how to paddleboard or isn't very familiar with the ocean in general, I would STRONGLY recommend planning a trip with Dave. I can say that walking off of his boat, I felt like I had learned a lot and my friends agreed! Thanks for a memorable 23rd birthday, Dave!

Captain Dave made our day unforgettable!…read more The trip was a surprise and he made sure to help me set this up. The boat was prepared for us, with clean blankets and cushions so we could lounge and sit out front on the "trampoline". A wonderful day for everybody included paddle boarding with sea lions, impromptu "stand-up on a paddle board" lessons, an education on marine wildlife, and relaxing on the ocean and all this before 930am! Thank you for everything Dave and hope to see you again real soon!

Super cool hike!…read more Not overly strenuous, with lots of stair climbing down into the canyons. Most of the trail is flat and relatively well-maintained. Parking on the street in the adjacent affluent area. Follow the road to the unpaved mountain street that winds along the hidden canyons, which are generally very verdant and robust. The road is fairly active, with hikers, locals, bikes, and cars. There's a camp if you keep going down the road, so peak seasons can feature heavier traffic, within relative standards. The area is inaccessible during the night, at least from a parking perspective. The actual trail itself, found a short walk down the service road, is easy to miss, but hard to forget. An assuming ledge with a staircase that drops down the steep canyon side, leading down to the shaded paths beneath the tree canopy. The ranch itself has a storied history, and the reclaimed buildings are a fascinating discovery and a fun point of interest before looping back up out of the canyons. Be aware of local wildlife.

We took a little walk on the wild side to Murphy Ranch. This areas has a lot of history as was…read moresuspected to be a hide out for those individuals who sympathize with Nazis. The ranch was later raided after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Afterwards became a place for artists and then the buildings were deserted and left to rot away. Give that these buildings draw people who like to party and graffiti, some of the structures have been destroyed. As you can see from the pictures there are still some structures that draw people in. Beyond these buildings there are some gorgeous views on the four mile loop. The loop consist of views of the mountains and a stream that is sometimes dry. Note the trail has a lot of steps: and they are short and narrow. The area not only draws hikers but a lot of mountain bikers. Hikers be careful on the trails as many bikers were not using bells. Lastly, there is not parking at the trailhead. You have to walk in about a half mile to trailhead. Available parking is limited as most areas say do not park.

I have a theory that this waterfall is not as popular as it should be because it has such a bland…read morename. If it had a name like Big Tujunga Thunder Falls it would definitely attract more visitors. It's all in the marketing. Fall Creek Falls is a four-tiered 250-ft waterfall. You'll only get to view up-close the lower 80-ft section of the waterfall. If you're familiar with Trail Canyon Falls (another blandly named waterfall) it's just up the road along Big Tujunga Canyon Road one mile past the reservoir. The trail descends down a dirt fire road 700ft and drops down into Big Tujunga Canyon. Once you reach the canyon floor you'll need to rockhop and bushwhack a quarter mile down stream to reach the base of the lower 80-ft waterfall. This is actually the best part of the hike. I had a lot of fun with this section. It would be smart to wear pants to reduce your exposure to poison ivy and pointy yucca plants. You can expect your shoes to get wet. The actual waterfall is what you make of it. I'm a waterfall nut so I really enjoyed it. A lot of online reviews mention that the trail was isolated. It must be gaining in popularity. There were about 8 cars parked at the trailhead when I visited on a Sunday. I passed someone about every 15-20 min. Conserve your energy for the return trip since it's all uphill. Fortunately the grade of the incline is gentle so it isn't too painful. Be sure to take in the awesome views of Big Tujunga Canyon. There's some amazing rock formations with interesting geologic patterns. Be sure to display your adventure pass. There are no bathrooms. After you leave be sure to stop by the dam overlook and also be sure to take a moment to appreciate the nearby scenic bridge off Big Tujunga Canyon Road.

Beautiful trail with views of Big Tujunga Canyon and, as promised in the name, a multi-tiered…read morewaterfall. The trail is well maintained with several parking spots at the trailhead. It's only downfall (haha) is that it's all downhill at the start and all uphill on the way back. But, don't worry, it's not super steep and the views are worth it. To see the waterfalls close up, you do have to clamber over some rocks, follow along the creek, and eventually cross the creek (bring your waterproof boots.) As of this date, the creek had a decent current, so be careful. As always, bring water and your mobile tracking device (I've watched one to many "disappeared on the trail and never seen again" videos, sorry!). And enjoy.