Hikes in the Santa Monica Mountains

The west side of the San Gabriel Mountains offers fewer trails than the rest of the range, but it is home to one terrific waterfall. This four-mile round trip hike on Trail Canyon Trail tackles 700 feet of elevation gain to reach a sublime 30-foot waterfall. Trail Canyon Falls is one of the Los Angeles waterfall hikes. Approach this waterfall via Trail Canyon Trail (a trail so good they named it twice). ...Read more.

To add extra mileage and views to a visit to Paradise Falls in Thousand Oaks, consider placing Lizard Rock on your itinerary. Lizard Rock rises over five hundred feet from the canyon below to offer fine views of Stagecoach Bluff and beyond. This write-up describes a 4.35-mile loop with 570 feet of elevation change that visits both Lizard Rock and Paradise Falls. ...Read more.

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, including a 2.15-mile out and back hike or a 2.55-mile loop that visits a small cave. It is a downhill hike from the trailhead to Paradise Falls with 260 feet of elevation change. ...Read more.

The Verdugo Mountains are a small range situated north of Burbank and Glendale. While the trails in this range can't get at as remote as those in the nearby San Gabriel Mountains, they can be quite scenic and convenient to reach. Hikers may enjoy a trek on the north side of the Verdugo Mountains from La Tuna Canyon to the highest point in the range, Verdugo Peak. ...Read more.

Between Rock Pool and Century Lake in Malibu Creek State Park lies a large C-shaped gorge that can be traversed by experienced hikers who are willing to get wet and engage in a bit of rock climbing. Dangerous conditions may occur and this hike is not recommended for most hikers. Your safety is your responsibility. To get to Rock Pool, leave the main trailhead parking area and begin hiking west on Crags Road, the principal trail through the park. ...Read more.