Hikes in the Santa Monica Mountains

Stretching through Malibu toward downtown Los Angeles, the Santa Monica Mountains are a beautiful coastal range packed with enticing trails. Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area spans 40 miles west to east across Los Angeles and Ventura Counties from Point Mugu to Griffith Park. A network of federal, state, and city parks protect over 150,000 acres of the Santa Monica Mountains, offering miles and miles of hiking trails. ... Read more.
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Los Angeles

Mount Lowe Road to San Gabriel Peak
in the San Gabriel Mountains

Los Angeles | Trails
Trail Rating:
Mount Lowe Road to San Gabriel Peak in the San Gabriel Mountains
One of the routes to San Gabriel Peak begins on Mount Lowe Road, creating a 3.2-mile round trip hike that climbs 1,050 feet. This trek leaves from a trailhead at Eaton Saddle along Mount Wilson Road and delivers great views the entire way to the summit. Start hiking up Mount Lowe Road (Mount Lowe Fire Road) where you will be greeted immediately by a head-on view of Mount Markham. ...Read more.
Tagged with · Altadena · Angeles National Forest · Summits · Dog-Friendly Trails · San Gabriel Mountains
Distance: 3.2 miles · Elevation change: 1050 feet
By: Seth Smigelski Published: January 22, 2010 Last updated: April 9, 2026
Los Angeles

Buckhorn Campground
in the San Gabriel Mountains

Campgrounds | Los Angeles
Buckhorn Campground in the San Gabriel Mountains
Need to get out of LA? Fresh air can be found camping within a hardy forest of pines and incense cedars at Buckhorn Campground. A small nearby creek provides a popular swimming hole for summer visitors, and away from the light pollution of LA, there are opportunities to eye shooting stars in the night sky. Day-hikers can venture off on nearby trails including Mount Waterman and Cooper Canyon Falls. ...Read more.
Tagged with · Adventure Pass · Angeles National Forest · La Cañada Flintridge · Pearblossom · San Gabriel Mountains National Monument · Tent Camping · San Gabriel Mountains
By: Seth Smigelski Published: January 21, 2010 Last updated: October 8, 2024
Los Angeles

Mount Waterman
in the San Gabriel Mountains

Los Angeles | Trails
Trail Rating:
Mount Waterman in the San Gabriel Mountains
The round summit of Mount Waterman offers boulders to climb and views to enjoy. Mount Waterman Trail provides a pleasant route to the top, passing through a sylvan mixed forest of incense cedars and Jeffrey pines as it ascends 1,265 feet over 2.75 miles. Descend the same way for a 5.5-mile out and back hike or return by a dirt road for a 5.65-mile (or longer) loop. ...Read more.
Tagged with · Adventure Pass · Angeles National Forest · La Cañada Flintridge · San Gabriel Mountains National Monument · Summits · Dog-Friendly Trails · Mountain Biking Trails · San Gabriel Mountains
Distance: 5.5 miles · Elevation change: 1265 feet
By: Seth Smigelski Published: January 21, 2010 Last updated: December 5, 2025
Los Angeles

Cooper Canyon Falls
in the San Gabriel Mountains

Los Angeles | Trails
Trail Rating:
Cooper Canyon Falls in the San Gabriel Mountains
Cooper Canyon offers a relaxing summer waterfall for those staying overnight at Buckhorn Campground or venturing into San Gabriel Mountains National Monument for a get-away day hike. The three-mile round trip trek descends 745 feet into a mountain canyon through an enchanting old-growth forest to reach a small waterfall. Cooper Canyon Falls is one of the Los Angeles waterfall hikes. ...Read more.
Tagged with · Adventure Pass · Angeles National Forest · Creeks · La Cañada Flintridge · Pacific Crest Trail · San Gabriel Mountains National Monument · Waterfalls · Dog-Friendly Trails · Los Angeles Waterfalls · San Gabriel Mountains
Distance: 3 miles · Elevation change: 745 feet
By: Seth Smigelski Published: January 21, 2010 Last updated: December 5, 2025
Los Angeles

Fish Canyon Falls
in the San Gabriel Mountains

Los Angeles | Trails
Trail Rating:
Fish Canyon Falls in the San Gabriel Mountains
Fish Canyon Falls is beautiful three-tiered waterfall that drops over eighty feet in a canyon in the front range of the San Gabriel Mountains near Azusa. Early spring is the perfect time to visit the dynamic waterfall, when the water flows well and the canyon is green. A rock quarry occupies the bottom of Fish Canyon and for many years Fish Canyon Falls Trail could only be reached by shuttle on special access days. ...Read more.
Tagged with · Angeles National Forest · Azusa · Closed · Duarte · Free Trails · Ruins · San Gabriel Mountains National Monument · Waterfalls · Wildflowers · Dog-Friendly Trails · Los Angeles Waterfalls · San Gabriel Mountains
Distance: 4.8 miles · Elevation change: 650 feet
By: Seth Smigelski Published: January 20, 2010 Last updated: April 8, 2026
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