Hiking & Outdoor Adventures Nearby in Los Angeles, California, United States
1. Griffith Park
Griffith Park offers a vast network of trails for hiking, horseback riding, and biking, providing stunning views of Los Angeles. The park also houses the Griffith Observatory.
- City Views: Unique opportunity to see LA's cityscape from multiple vantage points
- Observatory: Home to the Griffith Observatory, a popular public planetarium and astronomical center
- Variety of Activities: Offers various outdoor activities within the same park
2. Runyon Canyon Park
Popular hiking destination offering panoramic views of Hollywood and the city. Known for its steep and challenging trails.
- Hollywood Views: Unique opportunity to see the famous Hollywood sign from multiple vantage points
- Steep Trails: Provides challenging hikes for the more experienced hiker
- Celebrity Sightings: Possibility of spotting celebrities who live in nearby Hollywood homes
3. Santa Monica Mountains
A sprawling protected wilderness area featuring a variety of trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. The area includes the iconic Rocky Oaks Park.
- Protected Wilderness: Offers a chance to experience nature within close proximity of LA
- Iconic Rocky Oaks Park: Unique geological feature offering scenic hiking trails
- Wildlife Viewing Opportunities: Chance to spot local wildlife such as coyotes, bobcats, and various bird species
4. Malibu Creek State Park
A picturesque park with hiking trails, camping sites, and a historic M*A*S*H filming location.
- Historic Filming Location: Unique opportunity to explore the set of the classic TV show, M*A*S*H
- Scenic Trails: Beautiful hiking trails offering diverse landscapes and wildlife viewing opportunities
- Camping Sites: Offers camping sites for those looking to extend their outdoor adventure
5. Point Dume State Beach
A coastal park featuring breathtaking views, hiking trails, and whale watching opportunities.
- Whale Watching Opportunities: Unique chance to spot gray whales during their migration
- Coastal Views: Stunning ocean and cliff views from the coastal trails
- Nature Preserve: Protected habitat for local marine life and bird species
6. Topanga State Park
A sprawling wilderness park with numerous hiking trails, offering views of the Pacific Ocean, canyons, and waterfalls.
- Ocean Views: Unique opportunity to see the Pacific Ocean from various vantage points
- Waterfalls: Chance to encounter multiple waterfalls along the hiking trails
- Wilderness Preserve: Protected habitat for local flora and fauna, including rare plant species
7. Palos Verdes Peninsula
A coastal peninsula featuring hiking trails, scenic viewpoints, and the famous Point Vicente Lighthouse.
- Scenic Viewpoints: Multiple vantage points offering breathtaking ocean views
- Point Vicente Lighthouse: Historic lighthouse with a museum and visitor center
- Rich Marine Life: Opportunities to observe various marine species, including seals and sea lions
8. Angeles National Forest
A vast national forest offering numerous hiking trails, camping sites, and opportunities for fishing and horseback riding.
- Camping Sites: Plentiful camping sites for those looking to extend their outdoor adventure
- Fishing Opportunities: Chance to fish in the various rivers and streams within the forest
- Mountainous Terrain: Offers challenging hikes through mountainous terrain for the more experienced hiker
9. Eaton Canyon Natural Area
A popular park featuring hiking trails, waterfalls, and a nature center.
- Waterfalls: Chance to encounter multiple waterfalls along the hiking trails
- Nature Center: Educational center offering exhibits on local flora and fauna
- Accessibility: Easily accessible, even for less experienced hikers
10. San Gabriel Mountains National Monument
A protected wilderness area featuring numerous trails for hiking, camping, and horseback riding.
- Wilderness Preserve: Protected habitat for local flora and fauna, including rare plant species
- Camping Sites: Offers camping sites for those looking to extend their outdoor adventure
- Mountainous Terrain: Offers challenging hikes through mountainous terrain for the more experienced hiker
11. Vasquez Rocks Natural Area Park
A unique geological formation offering hiking trails, rock climbing, and filming locations for various TV shows and movies.
- Unique Geology: Rare opportunity to explore the unique Vasquez Rocks formations
- Filming Locations: Sites used for filming various TV shows and movies, such as Star Trek and Bonanza
- Rock Climbing Opportunities: Chance to try rock climbing on the unique Vasquez Rocks formations
12. Solstice Canyon
A scenic canyon with hiking trails, waterfalls, and a historic adobe home.
- Waterfalls: Chance to encounter waterfalls along the hiking trails
- Historic Adobe Home: Remains of a historic adobe home and ranch built in the early 19th century
- Accessibility: Easily accessible, even for less experienced hikers
13. Chumash Wilderness Park
A protected wilderness area offering hiking trails, horseback riding, and opportunities for birdwatching.
- Wildlife Viewing Opportunities: Chance to observe various local wildlife, including rare bird species
- Horseback Riding Trails: Trails suitable for horseback riding, offering a different perspective of the park
- Wilderness Preserve: Protected habitat for local flora and fauna, including rare plant species
14. Del Valle Regional Park
A park featuring hiking trails, horseback riding, and fishing opportunities.
- Fishing Opportunities: Chance to fish in the various lakes within the park
- Horseback Riding Trails: Trails suitable for horseback riding, offering a different perspective of the park
- Scenic Viewpoints: Multiple vantage points offering scenic views of the surrounding countryside
15. Whitaker Peak Trail
A challenging hike leading to a summit with panoramic views of Los Angeles and the Pacific Ocean.
- Challenging Hike: Offers a challenging hike for the more experienced hiker
- City and Ocean Views: Unique opportunity to see both Los Angeles' cityscape and the Pacific Ocean from the summit
- Remote Trails: Trails are less crowded, offering a more secluded hiking experience