Came to this hike the other day and realized it was way harder than I remember but the views are…read morepretty incredible! It's a great workout that's is not crowded at all. So if you're looking to be one with nature without all the shenanigans of LA and get a great workout in, this is the place for you! It also pretty amazing that there is always parking available!

One of my favorite parks to go to as you are able to enjoy a great workout as well as chill time…read morewith the family. I always enjoy a great bike ride or a run at this park. This is also amazing if you bring your dogs or children as they can enjoy as well. Definitely a must if you are in the area.

We Burbankers don't like to brag, but we've got a cozy nature center right past the golf course…read more Hold on to your purses and backpacks, as some live animals live inside and can be brought out for petting purposes. Who pets a snake? Some do. Easy free parking right outside the nature center with lots of interactive displays inside. There's also an outdoor theatre area for presentations and plenty of space for the summer kids' camp. Burbank's hiking trail starts right outside the front door and is now accessible to all with Burbank's new all-terrain hiking wheelchairs, available at no charge with a reservation. Best kept secret? Sparkling clean bathrooms inside.

This is a moderate-advanced hike. You definitely want shoes that grip or hiking boots; dirt path…read morewith a good amount of rocks. Small parking lot but there's street parking a little further down the hill.

Perfect hike for a hot day…read more I love waterfall hikes and listening to the sound of calm, running water. The added challenge on these hikes is the multiple stream crossings. I brought some hiking poles which helped with balance and probing for loose rocks and logs. If you want to get parking in the lower lot, it's best to come before 8AM. We found parking in the second lot. An Adventure Pass or Day Pass is required. Parking is enforced. A car received a ticket for being in a No Parking zone. The start of the trail is nicely shaded. The second half is a hilly, narrow, sun exposed path which routes back into the canyon toward the Lower Switzer Falls. I'm glad they had fencing on some narrow and steep parts of the trail. We encountered an active rattlesnake which headed down the mountain, so be on the lookout. Overall, the hike takes about 3 hours for 5.5 miles. The additional hike back up to the parking lot was about 1/4 of a mile. Note: if you need to use the restroom, it's best to bring your own toilet paper and to go before you start your hike. It was kind of smelly, but if you gotta go... you gotta go.

This place is great for fully appreciating nature! The trail is around 5-5.5 miles round trip,…read moredepending on where you park. What impressed me most about this trail is that it's almost fully covered by shade. We went in the late afternoon, and I'd say probably 80-85% of it is covered. Very impressive! Here are some useful tips: 1. There are three parking lots: two are next to the highway, and one is near the hiking entrance. I'd recommend getting a parking pass if possible. 2. There are only three restrooms at the beginning of the trail, so use them when you see them. 3. If you're aiming to go to the waterfall, make sure to look for the signs. Some signs aren't very clear, so we had to stop and ask other hikers frequently. Luckily, people there are super friendly and happy to help. Just pay attention to your surroundings. 4. The trail is dog-friendly, but dogs must be on a leash. 5. Waterproof hiking boots are recommended. All in all, it's a fun trail. It's a great place for a picnic and camping, and it's very close to the stream. Great for kids, families, and pets!

Brand Park is on the smaller side, so if you're hoping to get in 6,000 steps, you might need to…read moreloop a few times or explore nearby streets. That said, don't let the size fool you ~ there's something here for all ages. The Japanese Friendship Garden opens around 10 AM and offers a peaceful spot to relax. The koi pond and landscaped gardens are especially calming. There's a small playground for kids with nearby picnic tables ~ great for families. The onsite library hosts occasional events, and the grand staircase leading up to it makes for a great photo op. Parking inside the park is limited, but there's usually plenty of street parking available if you don't mind a short walk.

It's been years since I was last here, during Covid to be exact. It's when we all needed to be…read moreoutside in the open air to clear our minds. Hiking was the spot here when I was visiting but this time it was just for a little wandering around. Still pretty as the last time I was here. Very open with a pretty big lot for cars. You have the baseball fields, and a good amount of picnic area. I didn't venture throughout as it was just a little stroll after brunch. We did pop into the teahouse area which was pretty. There's also a little Park area where you could lounge and relax. Believe you're allowed to bring food inside but not sure about grilling. They had yours being offered for the doctor's house which we didn't do. The teahouse, not sure how often tours go for that. We walked around and just enjoyed the outside of the facades, the koi pond and just being relaxed. There were plenty of people doing the same as it was a nice a sunny afternoon.

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!

Go to the top of L.A. here. It pretty much is the top. Cahuenga Peak is the highest point in the…read morearea. Has pretty rough trails to get to it. The views are the best and you can see a long ways. A few interesting facts about it. It's 1,821 feet high, the highest in this mountain range. This is close to the Hollywood Sign, and a good stop along the way there. A few ways to get here. It's probably best going through the Lake Hollywood neighborhood. Then you get on the Wonder View Trail. It's important to know Griffith Park closes at night. They lock the gates and you can't get through. Cool place to make a climb. It's really high. The best thing about reaching the top is seeing the sweet views.

My second time doing the stairs here is how I found them…read more Number of stairs- 9 Sycamore Glen to Redwood Dr.-this staircase is not in Fleming's Secret Stairs book, Walk #1, though they could have easily been part of the route. 60 steps Elmwood Dr. to Redwood Dr. 98 steps Redwood Dr. to Tamarac Dr. 81 steps up then 19 steps down Tamarac Dr. to Glenullen Dr. 86 steps Glenullen Dr. to Cherry Dr. 99 steps Cheviotdale Pl. to Capinero Dr. 44 steps La Loma to Cheviotdale Pl. 54 steps Cheviotdale Pl. to Cherry Dr. 43 steps La Loma to Evergreen-this staircase... Hope it helps It's around two miles.

I must say that the stairs were in very good condition. I felt uncomfortable though walking the…read morestairs which is between homes. There wasn't really much to see but the back yards of the homes. I stopped after walking 2 sections of the stairs. I didn't see signs so be careful not to walk up to someone back door. Haha.

Beautiful and scenic park perfect for picnics! Perfect for all ages and pets…read more I celebrated my friend's birthday at this park and I had a good experience here! Parking was easy since there is a parking lot. However, it can get filled quickly and luckily I was able to snag a spot. Not sure what the other parking options are when the lot runs out. The park itself is super nice! It's hilly and vibrantly green. My favorite part is you have a great view of the city up top from the hill. The grass is also comfy to sit on. They have a playground, several picnic tables, and a bathroom too. There were several other groups celebrating occasions there, but it was not too crowded. A perfect option for nice weather. I would definitely recommend this park as a great picnic option and would visit again.

Our daily family hunt for parks has finally led us to a nice park! Such a beautiful view, nice…read moreatmosphere, safe and clean park. Our kids had such a nice time on their bikes. My toddler played so comfortably on the toddler side of the park. The bigger kids side had a really cool high tower to climb and come down on the slide. Had so much fun playing with my kiddos here.

This is my favorite hike in Los Angeles. Unfortunately it was ruined for me this year. Not giving a…read morebad review but this is a warning for anyone looking for a peaceful flat hike around the water. Not really safe from city thieves! my car was broken into twice with stuff in my bags stolen. Very odd because I wasn't suspicious of that place because it's a very nice area and I been coming here for years. At first, I wasn't able to pinpoint this was the place my things were stolen for two reasons: the thieves did not take my bags, instead they opened the bags and removed the credit cards and cash I had. Which prevented me from noticing immediately. And second reason was there was no clear signs of break in until the second time my glove box was left open and my bags moved around. I think the thieves are professionals of some sort and know there way around the alarm or the door key holders because I definitely locked my car both times my stuff was stolen

A beautiful place to go for a walk and take some iconic views of the Hollywood sign! You wouldn't…read moreexpect the peaceful nature that surrounds the area. The loop itself is about 3 1/2 miles, but doesn't feel that long when you're walking it (in a good way!). It's a very mild walking path with not too much incline. Great for a walk, jog, or run! A great way to get in some exercise, decompress, get in some sunshine, and take in the views. But being an iconic spot, some things to prepare for.... 1. The most stressful part of it is finding parking. There are tourists everywhere, people who don't know how to park (or drive), and people all over. Keep that in mind, especially depending on the time of day, day of the week, and proximity to holidays or breaks. 2. Another thing to note is that sunset is not the time to come. They do close the gates so it is not uncommon to get locked in. You'll be at the mercy of finding a ranger to unlock the gate or resort to jumping a fence. 3. Watch out for people stopping to take pictures and the bikers, especially the kids on bikes and scooters. They can be unpredictable and uncoordinated. If you keep these things in mind, you will find yourself a great time. I recommend it to anyone, especially those where you otherwise don't want a "hike" but want to take in some of the beautiful views that Hollywood has to offer. Great for visitors and locals!

This hike was interesting, but for me it was definitely more difficult and a lot more dangerous…read morethan I expected. The first part of the trail, down to the creek and along the creek, was not too hard and actually pretty enjoyable. Crossing the creek several times was fun, and there were some nice shaded areas along the way. We also saw a California newt, which was really interesting -- but please do not touch them. Later, when we finally had internet again, we read that their skin produces a toxin, so it's best to admire them from a safe distance. The harder part starts after you climb above the creek. From there, the trail leading toward the waterfall becomes narrow and slippery, and on the right side there are steep drop-offs almost the entire way. The final descent to the waterfall was the biggest challenge for me. You have to go down along the rock with a rope for support, but honestly it did not look safe at all, so we decided not to go all the way down to the base of the waterfall. I would not bring children on this hike. Also, be prepared that the round trip can take around 3.5 hours depending on your pace. A few helpful things to know: * parking was along the road * there are no restrooms * tickets/permits need to be purchased in advance in a different place * internet service was very poor, so it's better to download your map ahead of time * there were not many people, which was nice The waterfall was full and rushing, and the views were beautiful, but personally I would not do this hike a second time.

A scenic trail nestled in the Tujunga Mountains, this hike was the perfect choice for my friends…read moreand me. We picked this spot because it's slightly removed from the fire damage of last year, yet still close enough to LA for a convenient trip. First things first, this trail is located in the Los Angeles mountains and requires an Adventure Pass ($5). You can pick one up at designated spots (which, by the way, supports the forest), and it must be displayed on your dashboard with the date scratched out. I saw many cars without the Adventure Pass, but from my understanding, you could get a ticket, so it's your call. I would rather get the $5 Adventure Pass than a ticket which could cost you maybe $50+. Also, I highly recommend getting there early for two reasons: 1. To secure a parking spot 2. To beat the heat. We arrived early enough to find parking, and as we set out on the trail, I was struck by how beautiful it was. The hike is about 4 miles in and out. At the start, there's little shade, but as you continue, you'll cross several streams and find shaded spots along the way. There's even a section where you'll need to use ropes to descend, eventually reaching the base of a waterfall. The trail is quite popular, so by the time we got to the waterfall, there were lots of people taking photos. The descent was manageable, but be prepared to wait for others when you head back up the ropes. There was a bit of a line to ascend, which slowed things down a little before we headed back to the car. All in all, it's a fantastic trail. Having lived in the area for many years, I'd definitely consider it one of my favorites. The variety of trails, different terrains, and water crossings make it a unique experience. Just don't forget to bring waterproof hiking boots for the water crossings. Enjoy!

What a scene to behold and with such safe trails, at least that's been my experience. Never have…read morehad any worrisome experiences with any other pets while walking my dogs. Hopefully things stay that way. I'd recommend definitely going with a partner if you're a senior and put on those walking shoes.

The last time I hiked up to the Hollywood sign was before I started Yelping which was almost ten…read moreyears ago. I love how Griffith Park is a natural oasis in the middle of the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles. There are so many trails within the park that it becomes a choose your own adventure on how easy or difficult you want to make the journey. I came this time with a friend, and we decided to walk off some calories after noshing at a local delicatessen. We parked in a small lot at the end of a cul de sac that doubled as the Brush Canyon Trailhead. It was along the southern end of Griffith Park which was a shorter but steeper distance to the sign at Mt. Lee Summit. The initial mile was an ascent that took us to the junction with Mulholland Trail. From there, it was a series of fairly flat switchbacks that provided a nice overlook of the mansions below. The path was wide enough to allow lots of foot and horse traffic. A drawback was the landmines (i.e. dung) you had to dodge from the horses. When we reached Mt. Lee Drive, it was a junction in which you could continue around the bend towards Tyrolian Tank. That was a plateau which we visited on our way back with a beautiful view of the sign as a backdrop. Our decision was to continue another mile up a service drive that would lead us to the back of the sign. I think many people underestimate the additional winding slopes before reaching the endpoint. There must have been an increase of 500 feet in elevation during this final climb. The peak provided a nice view of Lake Hollywood in the distance to the south and the smoggy blanket that hovered over the valley to the north. The back of the sign was rather boring as you could see the scaffolding that held up the letters. We took a break and then descended to Tyrolian Tank for more photos. By the time we arrived back at the parking lot, it was a three-hour round trip that covered over seven miles. The weather could not have been better as there were few clouds, and the temperature was in the low 70s.