Lake Forest, California

Monrovia Falls is closed indefinitely due to the Bobcat Fire and mudslides. Read more on the CityofMonrovia.org website. The Monrovia Falls are at the end of the main trail located in Monrovia Canyon Park. The park is easy to locate and has ample parking. Keep in mind you do have to pay a fee of...

Head to the Pelican Cove parking lot where there’s plenty of free parking right at the trailhead. From the parking lot, take the Terranea Beach Trail and you will see views of the Point Vicente Lighthouse down the coast to your right. Continue on the trail through the luxury Terranea Resort whic...

Getting There Coming from San Pedro, make a U-turn at the Hawthorne Boulevard stoplight onto Palos Verdes Drive South. From here, you can access the parking lot for Pelican Cove, where you'll get a 120° view of the ocean. It might be tempting to take in the sunset from the car, but you should def...

The Avalon port in Catalina is most easily accessed through the Catalina Express leaving from Dana Point, Newport Beach or Long Beach. The Hermit Gulch campsite is only a 20 min walk from the boat and is well run with restrooms, showers... etc. They also sell anything you might have forgotten for...

Note: Hermit Falls is Temporarily Closed From Roberts Camp, many hikers will head to Sturtevant Falls, which is an amazing 60-foot waterfall. But, if you choose to head in the opposite direction on First Water Trail, you’ll be rewarded with a fresh water swimming hole at this 35-foot tumbling wa...

Parking for Bluff Cove is located along the sides of the street of Paseo Del Mar, and the trailhead is located right next to the street. Bluff Cove is one of those unique locations in that there are a variety of activities you can do here. It is a great location for surfing, paddle boarding, bod...

Recently opened in 2021, right behind the LA Library in Chinatown, you’ll find this secret gem, tucked away in the corner. Covered picnic tables, with checkerboard game boards in place, and all gender bathrooms with changing tables for the little ones. Two play areas as well as a small climbing w...

The City View and Walnut Forest Trails in Ernest E. Debs Regional Park are just outside of downtown Los Angeles, and are perfect for all abilities. The trails are most commonly used by dog walkers, trail runners, mountain bikers and families. The top of the hike features a unique pond. Dogs are a...

Vista Hermosa Natural Park is part of the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy and the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority. Located in the western gateway to Downtown Los Angeles, it’s very easy to drive by this hidden gem if you’re not looking for it. This park is the perfect mix of ur...

For the most direct directions to the swing, plug in "Swing on top of Elysian Park" into google maps, which will take you directly to the trailhead. If you want to do it the more old fashion way, the swing is on top of a hill at the intersection of Angels Point Drive and Park Row Drive in Elysian...

The hidden forty-foot-tall Eaton Canyon Falls fills an amphitheater at the top of Eaton Canyon Trail, tumbling into a wide pool that you can rest alongside or wade in. Normally the water is waist deep, but during this recent trip, we found the water only to stop at our ankles as it tends to fluct...

Echo Park Lake in Los Angeles has a loop that is about 1 mile around. It’s a pretty busy park, that has ducks and geese everywhere. Beautiful lotus blossoms and iris flowers in the lake. Generally flat and one tiny incline that can easily be avoided. You can also rent swan paddleboats that light ...

Beautiful views of the Rose Bowl and surrounding San Gabriel Mountains. A protected .75 mile loop, that offers an easy path, to stroll along. You’ll find convenient water filling stations, clean bathrooms, and a fitness area, along the path. Easy parking all around.

Discover serenity at Peace Awareness Labyrinth & Gardens, a tranquil oasis in Los Angeles, Calfiornia. Admission is $6/person, with guided tours available to explore its spiritual and architectural significance. Nestled in lush greenery, including a labyrinth for contemplative walks, it offer...

Grandview Beach is a great spot for surfing when conditions line up (see Surfline). it's also an ideal spot to kick back and relax (bring your whole fam, dogs too).  If you're looking for a little fitness, you can start at either Grandview Beach and head south along the beach to the San Elijo la...

The “Piano Stairs” is a stair mural in Silver Lake neighborhood section of LA. Not to be confused with the “Music Box” staircase that is close by. These 90 steps were painted to look like the piano keyboard by the artist Carrey. Great for a cardio workout and not as creepy as some of the stairs h...