Great hike with nice views most of the way!…read more It's a nice downhill at the beginning toward the waterfall, but it's definitely challenging on the way back since it's all incline. I recommend bringing a hat since there's not much shade, especially on the way back up. My group purchased our parking pass at a nearby store, but it seems like you can also purchase a parking pass once you're at the top.

Relatively easy hike at about 3.8 miles. I did it with family members of different ages, along with…read moremy 8-year-old golden retriever, and everyone handled it well. The trail is beautiful and mostly shaded, which makes it especially enjoyable. I recommend starting no later than 6:00 a.m. to avoid the heat on the way back. The return portion is mostly uphill, so it's best not to tackle it during the hottest part of the day. You'll also need a parking permit (costs $5) for your vehicle.

The Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook (also known as the Culver City Steps) is a great spot to check…read moreout for new and experienced hikers alike. I personally go for a hike every Sunday because it helps me decompress, reflect on the week that I've had, and mentally prepare myself for the week coming up/visualize future plans. Right off the bat, I'd strongly recommend planning in advance for the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook since the parking closer to the base of the trail is street parking and first come first serve. While the street parking is mostly free (there are some meters), I can't really recommend a "best" time to get there as I've gone at multiple times of the morning, afternoon, and evening, and it's generally tough to get a spot that isn't a bit of a walk away. Additionally, there is metered parking at the top of the trail, but the caveat is that you won't be able to advance the steps on your first trek if you start from the top. The steps are arguably the most attractive part of the trail since it offers a unique fitness challenge that manages to feel familiar for stairmaster users while also feeling different because of the outdoor ambiance. It also feels like something out of a training scene from a Shaw Brothers film for my fellow movie nerds. If your'e reasonably in shape, the steps likely won't be too big of an issue, but if you're fairly new to fitness/hiking, you will likely have to take breaks as you advance up the steps. That said, most people here are very supportive of one another, so if you are struggling to make it up, someone will no doubt cheer you on. Once you advance to the top of the steps, you'll have an opportunity to catch your breath, take in the beautiful skyline view of LA, and take a selfie. This is also a great opportunity to chat with fellow hikers and possibly make a new friend or two along the way. I'd suggest advancing past this rest spot and make your way to the back of the trail as it provides you with two cool options. Option 1: You can make a right while at the parking lot and do laps going up and down the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook without worrying about the steps. It is significantly less grueling than the steps, offers some additional great views of LA, and even has a few benches where one can chill and eat a snack. Option 2 (Strongly Recommend): You can make a left, walk through the parking lot, and explore a nice casual hike from the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook to the nearby Kenneth Hahn Park. I do this every time I visit the trail because it feels like a more rewarding hike that also offers some really nice views of the local area. Furthermore, this path is another way to get to Kenneth Hahn without worrying about the $10.00 entry fee should you try to enter the park that way. I've been hiking since 2020, and I can confidently say that this is one of my favorite trails. I've hiked here countless times alone, and I've also gone with less experienced friends who've also had a blast. The Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook is moderately challenging, offers some great views, is peaceful, and the food trucks at the base of the steps have a wealth of smoothies, refreshers, etc. to choose from for your pre or post hike pleasure.

we came at 2pm 83 degrees on weather app but the breeze was cool. There's trails on both sides for…read morealternative climbs. I did feel like puking up the 2nd "lap". Would do it again. Sad to see how much smog there is. We almost made out the Hollywood sign. Could see where Cedars Sinai and LA skyline were though!

Great loop under 1 hour. It is dog friendly so I come here often with my dog who loves the trail…read more The mix of sun and shadow makes it a great hike

Gorgeous hike for a fresh day ahead! Just minutes from the chaos a haven for a quick hikeread more

Peaceful here could use more water but perfect for fishing or just relaxing will be back soonread more

Probably my favorite part of Crystal Lake is the drive up Highway 39 to get here. It's about 25…read moremiles north of Azusa into the San Gabriel Mountains, and the only way to get there is a beautiful winding mountain road. The lake itself got its name in 1887 from a judge in Pasadena who always raved about the crystal clear waters that were prime for fishing. It really had its heyday in the 1920s through the 1950s. That's when all the construction that you see around the lake happened. Sadly, after the 1960s, it basically started to decay and was not kept up. You can find an article from 1990 that the LA Times published complaining about the condition of the place that you still see today. You'll see graffiti, trash, broken stairs, tons of algae, all sorts of stuff that you wouldn't see many decades ago. I would love to see this place cleaned up and have some national park-level structuring to it. Swimming is prohibited, but you can fish and it's a short walk around the perimeter of the lake. There is also a small café close by for groceries and food, and there are many different campsite options available from cabin to ground. I would love to see this place get the treatment it deserves someday, and I would suggest to all Southern Californians, it really is a beautiful place to visit, and even after driving 15 minutes up the road, you feel like you are in a totally different place and for once I was happy to have no cell phone service. Make sure to download your maps!

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 was my first real hike, and it was great! It was a bit confusing to get there but there were…read moreplenty of people around to help out. The water is ice cold and you need water shoes to comfortably walk around in the water. Be careful not to slip on the algae covered rocks! Still wonderful

Unexpected little oasis in the midst of DTLA!…read more My friend & I brought breakfast to chat. It was not at all crowded on a Saturday late morning. There were people exercising, picnicking, playing sports, etc. Some squirrels are a little bold, so be careful if you have food Parking is limited in the lot, but street parking was not hard to find at all (you'll have to park on a steep hill). Will definitely be back!

This is a small park located just a bit northwest of downtown LA. There's a small parking lot…read morewhich is freeee; otherwise, you will need to find street parking, and good luck with that. The area around the park is legitimately sketchy but I didn't see any bad characters inside the park whatsoever. The park could be maintained better. The weeds are high in some areas and the grass needs watering in other locations. Having said all that, it's a nice enough little park with at least one spot for an amazing view of downtown. I have never seen the movie, "(500) Days of Summer," but some people believe the striking view of downtown with the park bench in the foreground was shown in the movie. I can't vouch for that but that particular spot is gorgeous and perfect for a photo op. You'll know the spot when you see it. Worth checking out.

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!

Runyon Canyon hits that perfect sweet spot between a solid workout and prime people-watching. It is…read morepractically the quintessential LA lifestyle experience rolled into one trail--sweating it out under the California sun while looking out over the entire city.

As a tourist in LA, I want to give my fellow tourists a guide for first time visitors to the famous…read moreRunyon. Please skip if it is not your first time visit. 1. The PAVED FIRE LANE is very beginner friendly and dog friendly, BUT you are essentially walking in a spriral uphill with absolutely no shade. So think about this as an eternal inclined walk. This is a good daily trail to be in Zone 2 heart rate for at least 1 hour. Go downhill is very easy. 2. If you want a more challenging hike, then do the EAST TRAIL (intermediate) or WEST TRAIL (hard). Both have steep stairs at some points. You can combine 3 trails as a loop. The map at the entrance is very helpful. 3. Regardless which trails you choose, expect to spend 2-3 HOURS if you're determined to finish an entire loop while taking some pictures. 4. There are 3 entrances, but if it is your first time here, go to the FULLER ENTRANCE. 5. There is no designated parking lot. If you drive, you must drive around and find street parking. You need patience, good eyes, and quick reactions to read LA street parking signs. Every street I turned to has different rules about parking. DO NOT PARK on streets with NO PARKING ANYTIME or 2 HOURS parking, because it is not enough time to finish the trail. Some have NO PARKING MONDAY/TUESDAY STREET CLEANING. These are the best and closest ones to park, but you must avoid the street cleaning time window (either 11am-2pm or 12pm-3pm). 6. Very clean trails with some dog poo here and there. 7. Two RESTROOMS at the FULLER ENTRANCE. 8. It is a nice trail with view of the LA skyline, but honestly the skyline is very far away. You will have some good photos, but all photos from all angles eventually look the same. This is a nice trail if you have spare time, but absolutely not a must do tourist activity.

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 decided to give the Secret Stairs a visit after a tip from Yelp! There is just something charming…read moreabout a neighborhood network of stairs. The stairs serves well as an easy hike or an exercise spot for those who love stair climbing. One thing I did not expect is that the stairs go up and down. Rather than take you higher and higher, some of the stairs just takes you across hills which for me is disappointing. Also, I did not find the houses along the trail particularly scenic. They are probably nice for Pasadena but definitely a far cry from what you see in nearby Arcadia, San Marino, La Canada, etc. Overall, I consider the Secret Stairs a local attraction. It's a worth a visit if you live less than 20 minutes away and its a fun neighborhood novelty but it's definitely not worth your time if you don't live in the area. Parking: I parked on the street on Elmwood which is the beginning of the trail, but I don't highly recommend it. It's not a particularly well maintained street and it is super narrow and steep without proper curbs/sidewalks. There is also a sign that says 'Tow Away on Red Flag Days'. Refer to the affixes picture. If I returned, I would either park on the street prior to Elmwood or just skip to a different segment.

Great place to hike in the Santa Monica Mountains. The trailhead is a bit harder to reach than some…read moreother trails in the area, as it's a one-lane rutted dirt road. $5 fee to park as of this writing. There's one main trail that heads up into the mountains, as well as an off-shoot that heads inland and maybe others. Well-maintained trails. This is a MRCA Park; thank you for your commitment to preserving nature and public access to beautiful spaces!

I always enjoy a great hike. This is an easy more of a beginner hike. It is great for a run or if…read moreyou would like to get in a good bike ride to burn a sweat or a quick run or jog.