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Coral Canyon Loop

The 1,000-acre Corral Canyon State Park protects a span of the Santa Monica Mountains between Dan Blocker Beach and Malibu Creek State Park. This is the only canyon on the Los Angeles County side of the range that remains undeveloped from the ridge top down to PCH, allowing the 2.5-mile loop through the park to plunge hikers in to a world of natural scenery and vegetation.

Beautiful views of the ocean and not crowded at all, but little to no shade so it can get a little hot!

Lizards and birds!

Coral Canyon Loop
25623 Pacific Coast Hwy
Malibu, CA 90265

Directions:  Drive west on PCH and pull in to the parking lot on the north side of the highway next to Malibu Seafood Restaurant, 1.8 miles west of Malibu Canyon Road and half a mile before Corral Canyon Road.  The Corral Canyon Loop begins at Sara Wan Trailhead.  There is a five-dollar fee to park at the trailhead and there is no parking allowed on the north side of PCH (but along the South side is allowed).

Arroyo Sequit Loop

This short loop of 2 miles provides probably the most tranquil hike in the area.  On the backside of the loop, the hills block the sound of traffic on Mulholland Highway and other roads so all you can hear is the water in the small creek alongside the trail.  From the parking area, the first 0.2 miles is a paved driveway (Mason Rd) that leads to the ranger buildings.

Turning left, the road becomes dirt and quite rutted.  There is a grassy area to the left of the road used to set up telescopes to view the stars.  About a third of a mile from the parking, the Nature Trail segment of the loop starts on the right.  It is somewhat rocky and rutted at the beginning, but it is mostly quite firm, smooth, and wide.

About a half mile from the parking, the trail heads downhill towards Reeder Canyon Creek.  In several places the trail is washed out where the creek used to flow under it.  You'll have to jump down a couple of feet and then back up on the other side to cross.  At one point you'll hear and then see a large waterfall off to the left.

At the end of the Nature Trail the trail forks.  A short spur leads west (left) to Bardman St while the main trail heads up a steep switchback section.  If you look back while climbing back up to the start, you'll see some huge white satellite dishes come into view.  The loop ends with a short hike across a meadow to the ranger buildings, then back down the driveway to the parking.

When I went, there was no creek and no waterfall.  Completely deserted for someone who wants solitude.  If it's hot out, best to go through the valley because PCH has way too much traffic!   Super quiet.

34138 Mulholland Highway
Malibu, CA 90265

Directions:  About an hour from our area.  Take the I-10 West to CA-1 N/ Pacific Coast Highway.  Go 27 miles and turn right onto Mulholland Highway.  Go another 5.6 miles and the parking area will be on your right.

Hollywood Reservoir

Lake Hollywood is a man-made reservoir built in 1924 to hold more than 2.5 billion gallons of water. The reservoir is part of the Owens River Aqueduct system. The Mulholland Dam was built by engineer William Mulholland who designed and built the system of aqueducts and reservoir providing Los Angeles with most of its drinking water.  The City of Los Angeles, Department of Water and Power (DWP), has completed new water storage facilities next to the Upper and Lower Hollywood Reservoirs. Two of the world’s largest underground tanks now store treated water, with new pipelines linking the tanks to the distribution system.

Nestled in the Hollywood Hills, this lovely lake is one of the quietest and most secluded bodies of water in the city. The pathway around the lake is a favorite exercise circuit for stressed out film industry folks. It is a 4-mile loop.

From the end of Lake Hollywood Drive, head left (east) along Montlake, following the reservoir’s perimeter for 0.7 miles.  Cars are allowed here, but traffic is sparse, so as long as you stick to the path following the road you’ll be fine.  At the junction of Tahoe Drive, you pass through a chain fence and head onto the walkway that circles the reservoir.  Soon, you get your first looks at the Mulholland Dam, and after a mile and a half, you arrive there.

Hollywood Reservoir
Lake Hollywood Drive and Montlake Drive
Hollywood, CA

Directions: Hollywood Hills, corner of Lake Hollywood Drive and Montlake Drive.   Take highway 101 to the Barham Blvd. exit.  Turn right on Barham, drive 0.3 miles and turn right on Lake Hollywood Drive.  Take a quick left on Primera and a quick right onto La Suvida.  Drive a total of 0.6 miles (La Suvida becomes Lake Hollywood Drive) and park on the corner of Lake Hollywood Drive and Montlake.

Paradise Falls at Wildwood Canyon Park

Paradise Falls drops 40 feet into a large pool along the Arroyo Conejo in Thousand Oaks. The waterfall is located within Wildwood Park, and thanks to an almost excessive network of trails, Paradise Falls may be reached via several routes, allowing for a 2.2-mile out and back hike or several loops of 2.5 miles or more. There is 260 feet of elevation loss between the main park trailhead and Paradise Falls.

Ducks!

The direction to Paradise Falls is marked at most trail junctions in the park, so it will not be difficult to find. The easiest route is to head straight west on Mesa Trail, the most obvious trail departing the parking lot for Wildwood Park. After 1/3 of a mile, head to the left at a split on to North Tepee Trail, following an arrow for Paradise Falls. Stay straight through three junctions over the next 0.3 miles to come to a T-junction next to a recreation of a tepee. Here you may look down on the V-shaped canyon carved by the Arroyo Conejo. The landscape above the canyon is dotted with cactus and sage, while the creek is lined with sycamores and oaks, creating a riparian oasis. Since most of Wildwood Park can feel like a desert on a hot day, be sure to wear sunscreen and drink plenty of water.

Turn right at the teepe, and drop into the canyon for 1/8 of a mile. At the next sign for Paradise Falls, turn left down a single track cutting down the canyon. At the bottom of the trail, turn right on Wildwood Canyon Trail, and make a quick left to arrive at Paradise Falls, 1.1 miles from the start.

Paradise Falls
Wildwood Park
928 Avenida de los Arboles
Thousand Oaks, CA 91360

Directions: About an hour from our area.  Take the US-101N for about 30 miles and then exit 45: Lynn Road.  Turn Left on W Avenida de Los Arboles, 2nd Right onto Frontier Ave, 1st Left onto Bright Star St, 1st Left onto Big Sky Dr, and finally a slight left onto W Avenida de Los Arboles.

Venice Canals

Carroll Ct & Eastern Canal Ct
Venice, CA 90293

The Venice Canal Historic District is noteworthy for its man-made canals built in 1905 by developer Abbot Kinney as part of his Venice of America plan. Kinney sought to recreate the appearance and feel of Venice, Italy in Southern California. The beautifully lit canals with gondoliers and arched bridges drew widespread publicity and helped sell lots in the development. However, as the automobile gained in popularity, the canals were viewed by many as outdated, and the bulk of the canals were filled in 1929 to create roads. By 1940, the remaining canals had fallen into disrepair, and the sidewalks were condemned by the city. The canal district remained in poor condition for more than 40 years, as numerous proposals to renovate the canals failed due to lack of funding, environmental concerns and disputes as to who should bear the financial responsibility. The canals were finally renovated in 1992, with the canals being drained and new sidewalks and walls. The canals re-opened in 1993 and have become a desirable and expensive residential section of the city.

Directions:   Take the I-10 West to the I-405 South to the CA-90.  Exit Lincoln Blvd and turn left onto Washington Blvd.  The canals are located at Washington Blvd and Pacific Ave.  Park in the neighborhood streets or there's metered parking right on Washington. Only about 25 minutes!

Fern Dell Hike to Griffith Observatory

Your destination is the historic Griffith Observatory. It opened on May 14, 1935 and has become a venerable cultural, scientific, and architectural icon and one of Southern California's most popular attractions. In 2002 its doors were closed and a five-year, $93-million renovation secured its world-class standing as an amazing treasure. You can easily spend hours exploring the building, grounds, and astronomical exhibits, gazing through its public telescopes, viewing a live planetarium show, shopping in its gift store, or simply soaking in the breath-taking panorama of Los Angeles. And aside from its planetarium show, it's free!

Breathtaking views!

Fern Dell Drive off Los Feliz
Los Angeles, CA 90068

From the intersection of Los Feliz and Fern Dell Blvd, drive north on Fern Dell about 0.3 mile, cross a narrow bridge (immediate after the bridge Red Oak Drive comes in from the left), through an open street gate and notice parking places long the road on the right. Directly across the street is Trails Cafe. You can park along the street anywhere up to this point or after this point, but it's at this point that your route begins. Across from Trail Cafe, notice the opening in the fence. Pass through the opening and notice a pair of footbridges. The first bridge crosses the main creek that runs parallel to the road. The second bridge crosses a tributary creek that comes in from the east and begins to parallel the main creek just below these two bridges. Cross the bridges to the east side of the creek and begin to veer left then follow the board path as it begins to immediately curve right, heading east (this is where the path from Ferndell Gardens intersects coming from the south). You'll notice a restroom and some playground equipment a few hundred feet north of you (on your left as you walk east).

Escondido Falls Hike

The road that leads to the dirt trail.  Really pretty houses here along Winding Way.

On the walk to the trail.

Accessed from Pacific Coast Highway about a mile south of Kanan Road in Malibu, the trail through Escondido Canyon Natural Area leads hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians 4.2 miles through oak woodland, riparian woodland, and Coastal sage scrub to the spectacular, multi-tiered 150-foot Escondido Falls—the highest in the Santa Monica Mountains. Allow yourself at least two hours to enjoy this trail and spectacular waterfall. From the parking lot the trailhead is a one mile walk up the paved road. At the Escondido Canyon Trailhead sign, head to the left, walking upstream. The trail criss-crosses the creek several times and then opens onto grassy flats. A mile into the trail you will reach the base of the waterfall. This is the lower tier of the huge limestone fall. The upper tier is 150 feet tall with a deep pool at its base.

First waterfall.

Stream that criss-crosses the path throughout the trail.

Second tier of the waterfall- a little tricky to get to, involves climbing over some large rocks.

You have to use these ropes to help you climb up to the third tier of the waterfall- it's a little tricky and slippery.  Only for the brave!  I fell, so be very careful.  Many just go to the first waterfall (which is still totally worth it).

Third part of the waterfall is the most beautiful!

VERY top of the waterfall!

Escondido Falls
27200 Winding Way
Malibu, CA 90265

Directions: The parking lot is on Winding Way East at Pacific Coast Highway. Park cars here and walk north along Winding Way East (private road) for a mile to the dirt trail that starts at the end of the paved road.

Wildwood Canyon Park

Who wants to spend hundreds of dollars a year on a gym membership when Mother Nature gave us California's glorious and varied landscape to explore for free, right? Some of the spots get talked about more than others, while others just sit quietly, doing their thing, and possibly remain unexplored.

Up above Burbank are some lovely hills--you may have driven up there to have a meal with a view at Castaways, or you may have stuck to the lowlands--and they boast Wildwood Canyon park. There are a couple of miles worth of trails (described as "moderately strenuous") open inside the park, so grab your shoes and some water, and head on over.

You can "choose your own adventure" here, so to speak, and cobble together a route to explore; head up one of three ways, and down which ever one you'd like. They are all joined by a central trail up at the top, and each segment is about 1/4 to 1/3 of a mile long. It's blissfully quiet there, save for the occasional cawing of a crow, scampering of a lizard on the rock face, and the breeze.

You will see the aforementioned birds and lizards, along with beautiful wildflowers, a view of Burbank and the east Valley (depending on the smog), and, a snake or two. Park along the main roadway, spots are plentiful. Be ready for sandy, narrow, and often very steep paths--some of the segments are a bit precarious and require sure footing. There's not a lot of places to sit once you're up and away, but if you pause to catch your breath your reward is a lovely vista. At the bottom there are public restrooms and drinking fountains.

I liked it.  You basically hike straight up the mountain and then it's easy to get down.  It's all sandy trails, which are easy on the feet.  And the views are very cool.  Sunset was incredible from up there.  Very pleasant and highly recommended.

Wildwood Canyon Park
1701 Wildwood Canyon Drive
Burbank, California 91501
(818) 238-5440

Santa Ynez Trail at Topanga State Park

For total serenity and silence, I suggest the Santa Ynez Trail at Topanga State Park.

Hike is a four mile loop that's downhill going to the falls and uphill back.

Trail is very clearly marked until there's a posted sign warning that it isn't.  Still a pretty easy walk from that point to the "waterfall" that is just some water running down a rock right now.

Nice and private and secluded.

Super peaceful and great getaway - bring a camera and binoculars!

You are surrounded by nature in complete silence - only sounds are animals scurrying around.  You'll have to stop a few times as deer cross the hiking trail.

Santa Ynez Trail
20829 Entrada Rd
Topanga, CA 90290

Directions: Take PCH to Topanga Canyon Blvd. - parking in the lot is ten dollars but there's plenty of free street parking right before the lot entrance and there's a trail that goes straight to the trailhead from the road.

Breathtaking at sunset.

Beacon Hill at Griffith Park

Beacon Hill at Griffith Park.  Great hike.  2.5 hours long and easy to moderate difficulty.  Great views of the San Gabriel Mountains and downtown LA!  

Directions:  Turn left at Los Feliz and cross the freeway and turn right on Crystal Springs Drive.  Go 1.3 miles and turn right onto Griffith Park Drive.  Park in the lot near the merry go round.