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 was my first real hike, and it was great! It was a bit confusing to get there but there were…read moreplenty of people around to help out. The water is ice cold and you need water shoes to comfortably walk around in the water. Be careful not to slip on the algae covered rocks! Still wonderful

This park is an incredible birding hotspot and a true sanctuary for nature lovers. The semi-wild…read morelandscape, filled with native oak trees and hardy scrub, provides a diverse habitat that attracts birds of all sorts--especially in the early morning. It's a great spot to see a variety of species of birds against the beautiful backdrop of the San Gabriel Mountains. The park is peaceful and well-maintained. Whether you're a serious birder or just looking for a tranquil place to hike and enjoy the local wildlife, this park is a local gem that shouldn't be missed! Note: There is a frisbee golf course there if that is your thing.

For a stunning easy hike with beautiful scenics of the local San Gabriel mountains and canyons plus…read moreNASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory ask no more than Hahamongna watershed....also known as Oak Grove Park. Theres plenty of native plants and animals and the further nirth you hike the better it gets with a few picnic tables about a mile up and even campgrounds beyond that. It's a ripatian habitat so as you meander along the trail, toad or streamside you'll get a serene feeling as to how this place looked and felt for thousands of years by the areas local indigenous tribe,,,,the Kizh. You can park at the north end of Windsor Ave for easy access to a bike trail and walking trail or near the west end if Altadena Dr...where the Altadena Trailhead begins. Bubbling streams, white sage, oak trees, sycamores, toads, salamanders, etc etc.

Mt Wilson was an amazing hike, utterly beautiful. The observatory at the top and the picture…read moreopportunities were fun. We hiked on a perfect weather day and enjoyed ice cream at Mother Moo Creamery at the bottom. Wonderful experience. Please come and create your own adventure.

+ Fun hike! Good exercise if - it weren't for the fires…read morecausing destruction. Mt Wilson trail is now in disrepair and inaccessible. No notice of when it'll reopen. - Before driving 1 hr up there, I searched online "mt wilson forecast" to check for road/trail closures. The websites don't mention any. I drive up there, turns out Mt Wilson is closed! D:{ + But thankfully Chantry Flat just 5min drive away is open. + Decent single restroom at the Mt Wilson trailhead. + There's a restaurant at Mt Wilson summit, near the Observatory haha . Moderate amount of shade on these trails. - Lots of flies on these trails trying to fly into my mouth.

Love this tucked away park in the La Canada/ Glendale area…read more -Cute dogs and friendly owners -Tennis court. But not lighted :( -A park that actually has lots of shade and you're not going to collapse from the heat. - Park kept clean and is big enough to explore. -Seating available so you have the option to sit. Yay! -Plenty of parking

We went to a fourth birthday party at Dunsmore Park and it was a great place to spend a Sunday…read moreafternoon with several small children. We took two of our own and we all had a lovely time. Parking was easy, in a lot right near the playground. There were a few parties going on but the park was small enough that we had no trouble finding the right one. The park was great, well kept and inviting. Even the bathroom wasn't bad--I generally avoid park bathrooms but had to attend Leo, and this one wasn't disgusting. The playground was nice and our four-year-old Leo B. enjoyed himself running around the play structure. I liked that the party was set up at tables close to the playground, so we didn't have to spend the whole party fighting our child's desire to run and climb. He also liked being at the party, especially when the piñata came out. Our toddler had a good time, too, and took a little nap in his stroller after a walk on the smooth concrete path winding through the park grounds. We live pretty far from La Crescenta, so we won't be spending too much time here, but I really liked Dunsmore Park. It worked well as a party venue and was just an all-around pleasant place for a weekend family outing. We'd make good use of it if we were in the neighborhood.

The atmosphere was nice, the nail polish skills were good, and the mandate was done with care,…read morewhich made me feel good.

IF YOU BUILD IT, THEY WILL COME!…read more The Angeles Forest Highway, a 25-mile road that bridges the gap between the Mojave Desert, the Antelope Valley, and the Los Angeles Basin. Built in the 1920's by the Edison Company, it was used to service their power lines. The Clear Creek Station overlooks the San Gabriel Valley is open weekends from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., for visitors to speak with a ranger and pick up maps of the areas. Drinkable water and vault toilets (porta potty) are likewise usable. Although there is parking available, it is limited to 15 minutes, so it is not a good spot to consolidate cars, or leave cars while you hit the trail. The Trailhead to Mt. Josephine is across the street and there is off road parking available. The Clear Creek Station is a great stopping spot for those who seek ranger guidance and data about all the adventures Angeles Forest has to offer, as well as safety tips. SUMMARY: The Edison Company built the road, outdoor enthusiast enjoy all the amenities Mother Nature has to offer; hiking trails, picnic areas, camp sites, off-road bike trails, tranquil creeks, and cascading waterfalls. If it's snow you are looking to play in, the Angeles Crest Forest has that too, granted we need it to snow. Note, the Angeles Crest Highway typically is closed immediately after a snowfall to clear the roads.

We finally experienced the free Shakespeare performances in Griffith Park, and it was so much more…read morethan just a play--it was a whole summer evening experience. People arrive early with blankets, picnic baskets, snacks, and drinks, creating such a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere before the show even begins. A few tips from our experience: There is a large free parking lot, and it's well organized with bright signs leading you all the way to the performance area. Even though it was our first visit, finding the venue wasn't difficult--it just felt like a fun little adventure! Even on a Wednesday, the crowd was surprisingly large, so arriving early is definitely worth it. (Independent Shakespeare Co.) Bring a blanket, but don't forget a small cushion! The performance lasts over two hours, and sitting on the ground can get uncomfortable. If you're bringing folding chairs, please sit toward the back so everyone can enjoy the view. There is a 20-minute intermission, giving you plenty of time to stretch your legs, grab a snack, or refill your tea. It gets much cooler after sunset, so bring a light jacket or something warm to throw over your shoulders. A thermos of hot tea is a great idea too. Feel free to bring food and drinks, but be prepared to share your picnic with a few curious bees and other insects. There is a portable restroom on-site, and if it's locked, the access code is 3343. The production quality really impressed us. Professional lighting, excellent sound, microphones--it honestly felt like watching a performance in a real theater, just under the stars. Video recording isn't allowed during the performance, so you can simply relax and enjoy the moment. The host also shared some exciting news--they're building a brand-new stage nearby, and there's a good chance next season's performances will take place there. We'll definitely be back in August for The Comedy of Errors. If you're looking for one of the most unique free summer experiences in Los Angeles, this is one I highly recommend.

There are so many hikes and walks at Griffith Park and one of my favorites is the Griffith…read moreObservatory hike. However, if you're looking to do a flat walk or run, the 4 mile loop around the Harding Golf Course is as simple as it can get. It's a dirt path that can feel like beach sand in some areas and can be shaded or in full sun. I enter the Autry Museum Parking lot and park at the south side of the lot near the trail for free. It's across the street from the LA Zoo. I do this walk with a friend that lives in the area. It's not a trail I would drive out of my way for. I've seen people running, with their dogs and even one lady walking on stilts.

After visiting Catalina camp sites (Jean Cousteau is my fav) you will never want to visit Avalon…read moreagain. Campsites ate located about 2-3 hours driving distance from Avalon. Yes there is a whole new world out there with so much more to offer. I had the opportunity to stay 4 nights where people call it glamping in a cabin. There are full bathrooms. Pay one set fee and you have unlimited usage to wetsuits (long/short), snorkeling gear, paddle boards, kayaks, life vests, towels and etc. Sailboats and charters boats are with appointments but included as well. My favorites are wall/pole/relay climbing and ziplining. For those who just wants to lay low with laptop (WiFi avail) or read a book that is available as well. Hiking all levels available and basketball/tennis courts. Let's not forget the delicious meal service 4 times a day. It is quality buffet style food plus a happy hour every night. Definitely more than enough food that keeps you going for extreme long days. Sounds like never ending activities ...yes theres so much I can't even remember like cooking classes, astronomy nights, talent show, s'mores night and I can just go on but I'm running out of time. It's a must visit.

My experience at this camp was extremely disappointing. The food quality was very poor, and the…read morewater for activities was uncomfortably cold. There was a strong, unpleasant odor throughout the area due to the compost. The number of bees, yellow jackets, and hornets made the environment feel unsafe, especially since the cabins did not have proper doors--only weighted sheets that allowed insects to enter. Overall, I would not recommend this camp based on these conditions. I was told that they deleted 1 star reviews

It's the @light_skin_dragon blasting off to the wilderness where I belong. I am going through…read moresomething personally where I won't speak of. My co-worker/friend hit me up saying let's go hiking. I was like bet. That would take my mind away from what I'm thinking about. So I discovered this on my app that I pay for. And I told him about it so we meet up and we came. I had my eyes on this place for a while because I haven't seen a water fall since I went hiking in Alaska. So he thought we were gonna do a Griffith hike but no this one was more intense. We have to walk into the water to get to the other side and btw the trail itself is like a mile so it literally is like a hour so together if you go there and back. We met a nice man there as well he went with his wife and 8 kids and I mean the kids were you g with 2 older children. So that inspired me to come and bring my daughter. Btw parking you need a parking pass which cost 5 bucks but we didn't get one and it was okay but just letting you know there are two different parking spots as well we parked higher up where we had to walk down to the trail.

I have been here many times. Is a short hike with a beautiful waterfall…read more. Don't forget to bring your adventures pass or you will get ticketed... Is an easy hike family friendly you might get your feet wet, you will pass about 4 creeks . Enjoy the trails and please leave no trace.

This is one of the most amazing hikes in LA- this canyon in the springtime is magical. And it's…read morenot crowded either, due to a few factors: it's kind of a longish hike, there's a walk just to get to the trailhead (unless of course you have a key to the gate, like me) and taking the little-known shortcut requires balls of steel and exposure to poison oak. But once you get past this, there's a well-constructed, easy to follow trail that takes you through deserts, rain forests, dripping grottoes, majestic cliffs and waterfalls, gold mines, and more. And all of this is just a few miles from civilization. If you're lucky (!) you might see deer, foxes, bears, bobcats, mountain lions, coyotes, hawks, crows, and skunks. And maybe a tarantula! If you go, please don't litter, clean up after your animal, and do not leave your toilet paper, diaper, or poop bag next to the trail or the creek. That's just gross, and believe me, you will ruin the day for a lot of people. Pack it out! I don't have any pics of the canyon past the waterfall, these pics are just a taste of what you'll see!

This hike had a lot to offer. Pretty green mostly covered trails a lot of crossing water when it…read morehad rained before. About a 6-7mile hike round trip depending on your starting point we started around Altadena area by fair oaks street. Bring- a lot of water depending on how you handle hiking Adventure pass is needed to park I don't use them but some walking / trek sticks could be useful in some parts. I'm a large guy it took a lot out of me to get there it's a moderate to hard hike for me. With more exercise and a few more hikes under my belt to get back into shape I would hike it again. A lot of connecting places to hike through to as well. Echo mountain connection - inspiration point .