Guides
Plus the L.A. zoo, hiking and rides on historic trains, a carousel and ponies
As the largest municipal park with urban wilderness areas in the country, Griffith Park is easily a destination in itself. Much more than a city park, this urban parkland has numerous trails and historic attractions sprawled over 4,210 acres. Elevations range from 384 to 1,625 feet above sea level, and landscape changes from coastal sage brush to oak...
A great easy to moderate hike if you are visiting or new in town with great views of the Hollywood sign. The total hike is a little over 4 miles and will take about 1-2 hours depending on your hiking speed, resting or taking in the beautiful views. At the top is a great 360 degree view behind the famous sign.
...and its FREE! The 2 mile loop takes you along wildlife trails at Cheseboro Canyon, just north of the 101 Freeway.
Cheeseboro (or Cheseboro or Chesebro) Park is one of the many National Park Sites within the SMMNRA (Santa Monica Nationa Recreation area) and is very popular with visitors due to its relatively level terrain. And it's great for kids and families! This guide is a one hour (two mile) hike, relatively flat, and has a great deal of wildlife all of...
5.6 mile trail near Elayon, California
Towsley Canyon Loop is about 5.6 miles long and located near Elayon, California. The trail is great for hiking
Part of the "Saugus to the Sea Road"
This public land was acquired by the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy in the early 1980's after the oil fields below them where pumped "dry" There is a Parking lot at the trailhead, but... There is a fee I think it's $5 or so. Most park on The Old Road. This "trail" is a old road grade (ORG) to Weldon Cyn Rd and on to "Jones Junction". The...
Ridges and gullies training ground at Castaic Lake SRA
Castaic Lake is an interesting park. The lands are owned by State Parks, the recreational elements are run by Los Angeles County Parks and Rec., and the site is part of the State Water Project. The place is a power boater's mecca! It's well known for fishing and as a place to go for summer BBQ's on the lake's two shorelines. That being said, this...
The trailhead and first ¼ mile are in a quiet residential area and crosses private property PLEASE stay on the road and don't disturb the residents or the road will be closed to public use. This trip follows Burbank Power & Light Road from Oliver Canyon Debris Basin Rd to a saddle on the ridge 1.8 miles 770 ft gain. While this seems not too steep...
Hike to the highest point in the City of Los Angeles from Haines Cyn Ave in Tujunga
This trip starts at the end of Haines Cyn Ave in Tujunga, parking can be a challenge but as a fall back position you can park at the city property near the intersection with Apperson St. Proceed through the locked gate POI 1 and past the Debris Basin, which is the site of the now long gone City of Tujunga water department to POI 2 another locked...
A quick fix cardio workout!
The beauty of the 'Nag Loop' is that the trail itself is well defined and signposted so it's either a great intro for people starting to think about hiking as a pastime or for more experienced hikers needing to work on cardio but have limited time (although the trail isn't at all demanding, power walking this loop is a great workout for any level hiker). Who...
2.604 mile dirt road near Verdugo City / Montrose, California
Whiting Woods Motorway is 5.208 miles long round trip. It is fairly steep consequently there are fewer mountain bikes common at other hikes in the Verdugos. Starting at the end of Whiting Woods Road, passing through the locked gate you quickly start climbing, 2.604 miles to go. The road starts out steep, get used to it, this is going to be...
Trips
There are six sets of granite steps in Beachwood Canyon, below the Hollywood Sign. These historic landmarks were built in the 1920's when Hollywoodland was created, and they link high streets and low streets in the hills. This trail links them all together for a good cardio workout that takes about an hour. Go in the morning or evening to avoid the heat!
East Canyon to Weldon Canyon, Newhall California
Newhall, California, United States
Hiking | 9.7 miles (3.6 miles away)
Hiking | 9.7 miles (3.6 miles away)
The East Canyon/Rice canyon trailhead and Weldon Canyon are both in Newhall, very close to the junction of the I-5 and 14 Freeways off the Old Road. The trail head for Weldon Canyon is a couple of miles away from East Canyon so I took my bicycle and rode it down the hill from Weldon Canyon to the Church of the Nazarene, which is right next door and a convenient place to...
Porter Ranch Loop
Deer Lake Highlands, California, United States
Hiking | 8.7 miles (8.1 miles away)
Hiking | 8.7 miles (8.1 miles away)
The open spaces and trails lacing the suburban stronghold of Porter Ranch in the north San Fernando Valley (Los Angeles, CA) serves as a nice model for community development. Our hike started and ended at 19500 Rinaldi St in Porter Ranch. We wandered the remaining vestiges of two riparian canyons (Limekiln and Aliso Canyons) and a cliff-rimmed hillside (the Palisades) blanketed with aromatic sage.Photos to follow will show the the beginnings of...
Placerita canyon hike to falls
Humphreys, California, United States
Hiking | 3.9 miles (4.8 miles away)
Hiking | 3.9 miles (4.8 miles away)
A close and convenient mini-hike in the heart of Los Angeles.
Full write up at Modern Hiker.
Vasquez Rocks Park with the Hike Guy
Agua Dulce, California, United States
Hiking | 4.1 miles (14.3 miles away)
Hiking | 4.1 miles (14.3 miles away)
It was non-stop rain in Southern California the week of January 17, 2010 and we were having a strong case of cabin fever. The weather cleared Friday evening and the weekend forecast was looking good. That evening I saw that Kolby, aka the Hike Guy (thehikeguy.com and 100hikes.com) had posted an invite for a hike to Vasquez Rocks Park. We had always wanted to go there and this looked like a great...
Hike from Lake Hollywood to Cahuenga Peak
Universal City, California, United States
Hiking | 2.9 miles (21.4 miles away)
Hiking | 2.9 miles (21.4 miles away)
This is a trail that goes the long way around to Cahuenga Peak. I took some pictures along the way to show the nice views.Cahuenga Peak needs to be saved from developers. The City has until April 30, 2010 to raise $12.5 million to buy the peak and make it part of Griffith Park. Here is a link to a site with more information about saving the peak. http://www.savehollywoodland.org
Mount Lukens via Haines Canyon
Tujunga, California, United States
Hiking | 8.4 miles (17.7 miles away)
Hiking | 8.4 miles (17.7 miles away)
Full write up at Modern Hiker.
