Hiking to Los Angeles Waterfalls

Hiking by Moyan_Brenn (CC BY 2.0)

Ever want to get out of the city and get moving closer to nature? There are tons of amazing places around Los Angeles that you can visit to hug some trees and see some waterfalls! Here are some of my favorite waterfalls around the Los Angeles area.

Waterfalls at Escondido Falls

Santa Paula Canyon Falls by KnaPix (CC BY 2.0)
Santa Paula Canyon Falls by KnaPix (CC BY 2.0)

Located in Malibu, the trail to Escondido Falls is hidden in the back of a neighborhood near the top of the hill. Public parking is available at the bottom of the hill and tickets are actively issued, so mind where you park! Once you hit the trail you are greeted by a steep path down the hill. The trail is easy enough for kids on the first half. Once you reach the bottom you can see the waterfall. The second half of the hike is a bit more difficult, and requires you to climb up with a rope to see the upper falls. There may not be any water coming out of the falls when you get there, so make sure to go day after a heavy rainfall!

Waterfalls at Eaton Canyon

Eaton Canyon by Al Pavangkanan (CC BY 2.0)
Eaton Canyon by Al Pavangkanan (CC BY 2.0)

Nestled in the mountains that border Altadena, this trail features multiple waterfalls throughout the hike. The first waterfall that you get to see is a quick and easy to get to, taking only about 15 minutes or so to reach the area. The trail that leads out to the other waterfalls is rated at beginner difficulty. You can see many parents with their small children and toddlers in tow for the hike out there. At the end you are greeted by a modestly sized waterfall that you are welcome to get into and cool down in.

Waterfalls at the Punchbowls

Escondido Falls by Kenneth Moore Photography (CC BY 2.0)
Escondido Falls by Kenneth Moore Photography (CC BY 2.0)

My personal favorite, the Punchbowls, are located in the back of the Thomas Aquinas College campus in Santa Paula. The trail is pretty long, so make sure to start early if you want to see at least one of the waterfalls. The rest of the falls are even farther out, so you may want to bring some camping gear if you are a bit of a slower hiker. The water in the falls is clear, and deep enough to swim in at some portions. The trail has an intermediate difficulty rating, and the little ones may get tired, so keep that in mind when planning your trip.

What are your favorite places to see waterfalls around Los Angeles? Tell me about them in the comments section.