Amazing 360 degree views of the whole city. On a clear day you can see the ocean, Hollywood sign,…read moreobservatory and downtown LA. Great place to take visitors or to get in some cardio.

This is not for the faint of heart! If you're up for the challenge, this is a beautiful…read morewalk/run/jog up what seems like a thousand stairs to the top. There are several places to stop off to the site or even sit down as you're heading up and down. Once you're at the top, it is gorgeous! It certainly makes it well worth the strenuous exercise to get up there. Also there's parking on the street and a few vendors which you may choose to go to for a hydrating drink after the climb. This is so worth it!!!

Great loop under 1 hour. It is dog friendly so I come here often with my dog who loves the trail…read more The mix of sun and shadow makes it a great hike

Gorgeous hike for a fresh day ahead! Just minutes from the chaos a haven for a quick hikeread more

Plenty hiking opportunities, refreshing air, and a nice scenic drive in. Be sure to have a full…read moretank, as there is no gas services. There is a cafe/ convenience store across from the campground where you can also purchase your day use park pass for $5. I experienced a foggy day, which gave a cooling effect to my hiking. Restrooms are vault toilets, so unpleasant smells and a mess are a given. The lake has lots of swampy algae, therefore not appropriate for swimming or water sports. However, they do allow fishing with permit. I am a nature enthusiast and it was saddening to see the lack of humans respect for nature, with graffiti and trash in some areas of the park. Crystal lake definitely could use more funding to preserve its natural beauty. The loveliest part is listening to woodpeckers as they work, watching an eagle fly above with a fish in its talons, and treading quietly not to startle the squirrel who is crossing my path. I suggest picking up a map with hiking trails from the rangers post or convenience store, before planning your day!

Very beautiful place. Just an hour's drive from La Crescenta, much closer than Big Bear…read more There's still snow there, the road is clear, and along the way, there's a mountain stream and a reservoir where you can stop. Download a map in advance, as there's no signal there. There's a small lake where you can take a walk, and a forest with a cozy family café where you can grab a snack.

Perfect hike for a hot day…read more I love waterfall hikes and listening to the sound of calm, running water. The added challenge on these hikes is the multiple stream crossings. I brought some hiking poles which helped with balance and probing for loose rocks and logs. If you want to get parking in the lower lot, it's best to come before 8AM. We found parking in the second lot. An Adventure Pass or Day Pass is required. Parking is enforced. A car received a ticket for being in a No Parking zone. The start of the trail is nicely shaded. The second half is a hilly, narrow, sun exposed path which routes back into the canyon toward the Lower Switzer Falls. I'm glad they had fencing on some narrow and steep parts of the trail. We encountered an active rattlesnake which headed down the mountain, so be on the lookout. Overall, the hike takes about 3 hours for 5.5 miles. The additional hike back up to the parking lot was about 1/4 of a mile. Note: if you need to use the restroom, it's best to bring your own toilet paper and to go before you start your hike. It was kind of smelly, but if you gotta go... you gotta go.

This place is great for fully appreciating nature! The trail is around 5-5.5 miles round trip,…read moredepending on where you park. What impressed me most about this trail is that it's almost fully covered by shade. We went in the late afternoon, and I'd say probably 80-85% of it is covered. Very impressive! Here are some useful tips: 1. There are three parking lots: two are next to the highway, and one is near the hiking entrance. I'd recommend getting a parking pass if possible. 2. There are only three restrooms at the beginning of the trail, so use them when you see them. 3. If you're aiming to go to the waterfall, make sure to look for the signs. Some signs aren't very clear, so we had to stop and ask other hikers frequently. Luckily, people there are super friendly and happy to help. Just pay attention to your surroundings. 4. The trail is dog-friendly, but dogs must be on a leash. 5. Waterproof hiking boots are recommended. All in all, it's a fun trail. It's a great place for a picnic and camping, and it's very close to the stream. Great for kids, families, and pets!

Unexpected little oasis in the midst of DTLA!…read more My friend & I brought breakfast to chat. It was not at all crowded on a Saturday late morning. There were people exercising, picnicking, playing sports, etc. Some squirrels are a little bold, so be careful if you have food Parking is limited in the lot, but street parking was not hard to find at all (you'll have to park on a steep hill). Will definitely be back!

This is a small park located just a bit northwest of downtown LA. There's a small parking lot…read morewhich is freeee; otherwise, you will need to find street parking, and good luck with that. The area around the park is legitimately sketchy but I didn't see any bad characters inside the park whatsoever. The park could be maintained better. The weeds are high in some areas and the grass needs watering in other locations. Having said all that, it's a nice enough little park with at least one spot for an amazing view of downtown. I have never seen the movie, "(500) Days of Summer," but some people believe the striking view of downtown with the park bench in the foreground was shown in the movie. I can't vouch for that but that particular spot is gorgeous and perfect for a photo op. You'll know the spot when you see it. Worth checking out.

This was such an amazing hike! It's uphill the entire time until the top of the hill, but the…read morepatience was worth it! At the top there's a flag and you can see a panoramic view of Los Angeles. It was such a pretty view, you can see skyscrapers, homes, and a lake/dam. After an intense uphill hike, you'll be treated with a cooling breeze at the top. I recommend going when it's not so hot. The wisdom tree is also at the top of the hill. The whole hike was around 2 hours. I would do it again for the view.

This is one of my favorite trails -- absolutely beautiful with amazing views. I recommend going on…read morea weekday, either early in the morning or around sunset. Avoid the middle of the day unless you're looking for a super hot, intense workout, because there's very little shade. Parts of the trail are rocky and can get a bit slippery, so good shoes with tread are a must. Bring water, wear a hat, and you're good to go. Totally worth it for the scenery!

One of my favorite hikes. It's a total scene here but typical for LA. I miss this spot. Would take…read moremy dog and when sometimes the double stroller when my kids were small. Talk about a crazy workout.

Runyon Canyon is not a hike. It's a networking event with…read moreincline. People come here to "get fresh air," but mostly to be seen surviving mild elevation. Everyone is either wearing sunglasses, AirPods, or matching also sets. If you enjoy hikes where Dogs outnumber children & Influencers outnumber trees this is the place for you!

My second time doing the stairs here is how I found them…read more Number of stairs- 9 Sycamore Glen to Redwood Dr.-this staircase is not in Fleming's Secret Stairs book, Walk #1, though they could have easily been part of the route. 60 steps Elmwood Dr. to Redwood Dr. 98 steps Redwood Dr. to Tamarac Dr. 81 steps up then 19 steps down Tamarac Dr. to Glenullen Dr. 86 steps Glenullen Dr. to Cherry Dr. 99 steps Cheviotdale Pl. to Capinero Dr. 44 steps La Loma to Cheviotdale Pl. 54 steps Cheviotdale Pl. to Cherry Dr. 43 steps La Loma to Evergreen-this staircase... Hope it helps It's around two miles.

I decided to give the Secret Stairs a visit after a tip from Yelp! There is just something charming…read moreabout a neighborhood network of stairs. The stairs serves well as an easy hike or an exercise spot for those who love stair climbing. One thing I did not expect is that the stairs go up and down. Rather than take you higher and higher, some of the stairs just takes you across hills which for me is disappointing. Also, I did not find the houses along the trail particularly scenic. They are probably nice for Pasadena but definitely a far cry from what you see in nearby Arcadia, San Marino, La Canada, etc. Overall, I consider the Secret Stairs a local attraction. It's a worth a visit if you live less than 20 minutes away and its a fun neighborhood novelty but it's definitely not worth your time if you don't live in the area. Parking: I parked on the street on Elmwood which is the beginning of the trail, but I don't highly recommend it. It's not a particularly well maintained street and it is super narrow and steep without proper curbs/sidewalks. There is also a sign that says 'Tow Away on Red Flag Days'. Refer to the affixes picture. If I returned, I would either park on the street prior to Elmwood or just skip to a different segment.