1. Switzer Falls - USDA Forest Service

    1. Switzer Falls - USDA Forest Service

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    La Canada Flintridge, CA

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    Switzer Falls - USDA Forest Service

    4.4 (293 reviews)

    Switzer Falls - USDA Forest Service Photos

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    Dan J.

    This is a fun, great, rewarding hike. Multiple stream crossings and a moderate uphill trek makes it all worth it once you get to the falls. You have to get here early to avoid the crowds. Well worth it once you're at the falls.

    Made it to Switzer Falls. 4.5 miles roundtrip
    Judy L.

    Still, one of my favorite hikes. There's two options to go, upper or lower part of the waterfall. Whichever you chose, you'll have to do some river crossing. A hiking stick will help u because it can be challenging to balance at some crossings. Ask hikers where to walk if you're new here. Mostly shaded until you walk up and out of the trees, than you'll be looking for shade on a hot day. Bring water and snacks so you can take your sweet time. Moderate hike. Great for picnics at the entrance (parking lot area) if you're not here to hike. Never had a bad hiking experience. If you come on a day when the water levels are higher than you're comfortable with (rare) then you can turn back and try another day. Keep in mind, you will likely soak your shoes at some crossings. Just look out for rocks or areas that have algae on it. It's slimy and slippery so watch your step. Ive seen too many kids and hikers underestimate how fast water is or slippery the rocks can be and end up falling in the water. Happened twice today. Other than that, a very dog and people friendly hike. Enjoy!

    The trail

    Gorgeous 3:45 minute hike to the falls and back. Bring water and snacks. You will get wet crossing many streams. There are some areas where you will be hiking on a narrow cliffside with a straight drop down so be cautious. And btw, if anyone tells you "you're almost there", you're not, lol!

    Haolin W.

    This is the one of the most beautiful hiking trails in Los Angeles. Peaceful and relaxing places surrounded by mountains. Entry level for hiking, definitely want to go there again!

    Karina C.

    The Switzer Falls Hike is 3.7 miles with 692 ft of elevation gain. This hike's difficulty is moderate and will take 2 hours from start to finish depending on your pace. Looks on the pictures and videos. An Adventure Pass is required to park at this location.  Enjoy the trails and please leave no trace.

    Trailhead
    Zan L.

    A very enjoyable and pretty easy hike in between easy and moderate difficulty. I would say it's very similar to the Trail Canyon Falls hike although easier. We spent a total of two hours on the hike and went to the Lower and Upper Falls. To get to the Upper Falls take the trail to the right of the Lower Falls. It looks harder than it is from the ground. It would be possible for anyone who does not have mobility issues. I would not suggest it for dogs or small children however. Trekking poles will really help with the inclines and river crossings but are not needed. We crossed the river about 8 times but our feet did not get wet at all. The gate to the bottom picnic area was open today and they were not checking for parking passes. If you have to park just off the highway in the upper parking lot that will add a steep, all downhill extra mile (and then uphill on the way out) segment onto the hike you already have planned. I would suggest parking in the lower lot as close to the trail head as possible. Bathrooms are available in the parking lot and also a few hundred feet into the trail. This area can get very busy so I would suggest going during the early morning or weekdays. I would highly recommend to people of all ages and fitness levels. Don't be afraid to climb up to the Upper Falls you got this!

    Sharon K.

    Great hike. You will need the adventure park pass to park here or else rangers will ticket you. Parking is located off the road, some lots, and more if you drive down towards the hike. Pros + not too long of a hike, I used Alltrails app. It shows 3.6 miles + it's relatively easy and beautiful! + dogs are allowed on the trail as long as their leash but I saw a lot of people without Cons - it can get pretty cold, check the weather before you go - some of area is pretty narrow which requires you or the party to stop to let others pass. - the path in some areas are rocky - lots of people are typically loitering by the waterfall, so hard to get a good photograph

    Parking at the top
    Whitney L.

    Wonderful experience, especially because my car was NOT broken into! I was nervous after reading all the reviews, so I took extra precautions: got there early to park at the trail head lot, cleaned out EVERYTHING from inside the car, left the glovebox open and rear seats down, and turned my alarm on. Didn't see any suspicious activity while I was there, so it felt safer than I expected. As for parking, I arrived at 8:25am on a Saturday and both lots were full. Since I didn't want to park at the top on route 2, I waited at the bottom lot until a car left at 8:50am. Well worth it for peace of mind and easy access to the trail. Was grateful not to hike up to the top at the end! Trail was pretty chill until about 10:30am when it got busier. It started to get hot after that time too. Arriving early has many benefits! Other tips: wear a hat, waterproof hiking shoes, bug spray, comfortable clothes, sunscreen, bring an extra pair of socks and lots of water, and use trekking poles. This made the hike pleasant because my feet didn't get wet, the bugs stayed away from me, and I could handle the hot sun. Brought my bathing suit but the water was too cold to swim in.

    Key cyclinder was removed and car scratched up.
    Samantha C.

    BE WARNED - everyone else's comments about their cars being broken into are true. Luckily my aunt's car was intact, but her car was scratched and key cyclinder (the key hole on the driver's side of older cars) was damaged/removed. It'll cost her $500 for replacement parts and labor. We parked off a lookout point on the 2, so there aren't any watchful eyes out there. The hike itself was fine except I slipped and fell on my hip from a slippery wet rock at the first stream crossing. Just heed everyone else's warning that your car might get damaged even if you remove your valuables ahead of time.

    Eva K.

    One of my favorite spots to hike to! It's around 4.5 miles round trip, but the hike from the upper lot to the lower lot and back is the hardest part. I always enjoy this particular hike, especially when it has rained that way there's a small creek! Most of the creek crossings are doable, as long as you wait a little after it rains. The waterfall isn't too bad as well. The route can get a little confusing for first timers, when the trail first splits between up or straight, take the trail up! The straight trail will bring you a small upper pool of water, which is actually the top of the waterfall or at least close to it. When you reach a second fork of up or down, go down to reach the waterfall!

    Switzer Falls
    Stefany C.

    Definitely recommend, dog friendly easy hike, water level was low but we absolutely enjoyed it!.

    Allison M.

    Beautiful waterfall! Came here with my dog and partner, it's as lovely as it looks in the photos! 10/10 recommend. You can also camp and have little picnics :)

    Waterfall 3.5 miles. Felt like 1.5 though lol
    Sarah G.

    Always an amazing time! Went many miles in this time plus the hill. Lots of activity and loved the swing close to water fall.

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    Great trail. Easy to hike. Lots of water along the route. Peaks and canyons to enjoy and great views.

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    Switzer Falls - USDA Forest Service Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Switzer Falls - USDA Forest Service

    It is now 2022, is the parking open?

    Yea it is fully open

    Has anyone been there recently? Are the parking lots still closed?

    Yes, parking lots are still closed @ the bottom.

    Anyone know if it's open now? Says closed on google...

    The gate is closed. So you can't park inside, but you can park elsewhere and walk in.

    Is it open still or is it close due to COVID 19?

    Yes the trail is open the parking lots are closed.

    Anyone know if trail is open (bear activity)?

    Not sure about Bear activities I've never encountered one ever. The trails are usually open year around

    View All 17 Questions

    Review Highlights - Switzer Falls - USDA Forest Service

    Adventure pass needed, however I visited these falls mid week & gates were closed with bear warnings everywhere.

    Mentioned in 53 reviews

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    Big Tujunga Dam - View of the dam

    Big Tujunga Dam

    5.0(3 reviews)
    3.1 mi

    I lived in Tujunga for 13 years, but I don't recall ever seeing the Big Tujunga Dam…read more On February 18, 2015 I wanted to get some use of my Angeles Forest Adventure Pass because it's expiring next month. I put my dog in the car after he had his dinner and we cruised up Angeles Crest Highway. I know he loves riding in the car, but I hoped he wouldn't get sick all over my backseat because of the mountain highway and all the turns. When we got to Angeles Forest Highway we turned left. Angeles Forest Highway turns into Big Tujunga Canyon Road and it runs right by Big Tujunga Dam. Around 5:30 p.m. we saw a nice big turnout and pulled over. The view of the Big Tujunga Dam was beautiful, so I decided to stick around with my dog to enjoy the sunset. There was another lady parked there with her two kids, so I felt relatively safe in the forest with no cell phone reception. STATS: The Big Tujunga Dam is a concrete arch dam which spans Big Tujunga Creek. It was completed in 1931, but a seismic retrofit project was completed in July of 2011 at a cost of $100 million since it is close to the San Andreas Fault. The reservoir has a capacity of 5,960 acres, but public access to the lake is forbidden. There is a nice waterfall just west of the dam that you can hike to called Trail Canyon Falls. My main reason for driving up there was to scope out where to park for that trail. It's just west of Vogel Flats which is west of the dam. DIRECTIONS: The easiest way to get to the dam would be to head north on Oro Vista Street from Foothill Boulevard in Sunland. I believe there is a Jack in the Box right there. Head up the canyon about five miles and past Vogel Flats Campground and you'll cross a bridge. A couple miles later you will see a turnout just past the dam. I would definitely recommend that you park there and maybe have your own little tailgate party. I am not sure if you need an Adventure Pass to park there, but it's better to be safe than sorry.

    Great view; makes for a really nice day trip into the mountains. There are also some good hikes and…read morepicnic areas nearby!

    Photos
    Big Tujunga Dam - Reservoir and dam

    Reservoir and dam

    Big Tujunga Dam - Reservoir and dam

    Reservoir and dam

    Big Tujunga Dam

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    Descanso Gardens

    Descanso Gardens

    4.3(2.1k reviews)
    5.9 mi

    I really love this garden but today I brought my service dog with me. She was wearing her service…read moredog vest and the guy at the entrance said "no dogs are allowed" despite her wearing a vest that clearly said "service dog". I then told him that she's a service animal and he asked what task she performs as is customary. But once I said her task, he laughed at me and said he had never heard of a dog who "does that". I told him I have a disability that requires her and he eventually let me in. But he had an overall negative rude condescending demeanor and didn't seem to like working there. This was highly triggering for me and actually triggered my CPTSD because it never feels great to have your disability or needs not taken seriously. Not everyone's disability is visible and for it to be laughed at felt very insensitive. It makes me not wanna go there that much in the future now because I know it's always gonna be triggering for me if that worker is there. I couldn't relax the whole time I was there cause I felt so distressed by this.

    Always enjoy visiting Descanso Gardens. This place is a true hidden gem and urban oasis just a…read moreshort drive from LA. From the moment you step in, you're surrounded by incredible beauty and tranquility. The gardens are impeccably maintained with so much variety.. stunning rose gardens, one of the largest camellia collections in the world, and the highlight for us was the Japanese Garden. It felt like stepping into another world. We also enjoyed wandering through the oak woodland and catching the beautiful seasonal blooms. Everything was in full glory! We brought the kids and they had a blast riding the little train (super fun and a great way to see more of the grounds). The staff was friendly, the paths are easy to walk, and there are plenty of benches to sit and soak it all in. It's the perfect spot for a relaxing day date, family outing, or even a peaceful solo walk. Admission is reasonable and totally worth it. We'll definitely be back for the special events and different seasons. Highly recommend!

    Photos
    Descanso Gardens - View from Descanso Gardens from the Descanso Trail.  4 mile hike to observation tower and back.

    View from Descanso Gardens from the Descanso Trail. 4 mile hike to observation tower and back.

    Descanso Gardens
    Descanso Gardens - Japanese Tea Garden

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    Japanese Tea Garden

    Falls Creek Falls

    Falls Creek Falls

    4.0(12 reviews)
    2.6 mi

    Beautiful trail with views of Big Tujunga Canyon and, as promised in the name, a multi-tiered…read morewaterfall. The trail is well maintained with several parking spots at the trailhead. It's only downfall (haha) is that it's all downhill at the start and all uphill on the way back. But, don't worry, it's not super steep and the views are worth it. To see the waterfalls close up, you do have to clamber over some rocks, follow along the creek, and eventually cross the creek (bring your waterproof boots.) As of this date, the creek had a decent current, so be careful. As always, bring water and your mobile tracking device (I've watched one to many "disappeared on the trail and never seen again" videos, sorry!). And enjoy.

    First thing to know if you plan on going to the waterfall is you will get wet in the creek at the…read morebottom, and you should wear covering pants for your legs and long sleeves because there are a lot of overgrown plants here along with poison ivy or oak. Really I rate this as a 3 1/2 star but going down with the curve score due to the elements and conditions. Falls creek falls trail head is about 6-7 miles away from Trail Canyon Falls on Big Tujunga and only a mile away from the Big Tujunga Dam overlook. The trail going down to the creek is easy to follow but is has a lot of rocks and overgrown plants all over the trail so I would recommend coming here with your kids or pets. Once you're at the bottom there's a spray painted arrows on one of the rocks pointing to the right, that's the path to stay on the trail to go wherever it leads to. If you're heading to the waterfall go left and walk through that creek. I'll admit I wasn't about an hour trying to avoid walking through the water in the creek and I probably fell into some poison ivy and might also have Lyme disease because of all the plants I went climbing through. Do yourself a favor, don't waste your time trying to make a path away from the water, just go through the creek. It's maybe shin high and the water is clear enough that you can see where you're stepping. Closing this long ass review up, this is So Cal and it barley rains. Best time to check this waterfall out of the week right after it rains so you can see a decent flow. I came here a month after the winter rain we got and it's almost dried up again. This trailhead is in the Angeles National Forest so you'll need to display your adventure pass when you park.

    Photos
    Falls Creek Falls
    Falls Creek Falls
    Falls Creek Falls

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    Strawberry Peak via Colby Canyon

    Strawberry Peak via Colby Canyon

    4.7(6 reviews)
    3.9 mi

    Hiked up Strawberry Peak on April 14 and had a great experience. What I really liked about the…read moretrail were the two separate rock climbs near the peak of the mountain. Both rock climbs are located at an elevation between about 5000 to 6000 feet, so if you're planning to do the hike during the winter season, it's probably a good idea to check the snow level before heading out. No equipment is needed for the rock climbs, and there are markings on the rocks (arrows in a variety of colors) that point out the best route to take. It can be a little difficult at times to find the arrows or the correct route to take, but if you take your time you shouldn't have any problems. I have to admit though that there was a moment or two when I was hanging onto a rock (on the side of a mountain and without any equipment) where I thought to myself - uh, what am I doing? The trail is pretty steep, about a 2700 feet elevation gain during the 3 mile ascent up to the peak, so with the two rock climbs it provides a pretty good workout. Definitely a much better workout than a 5-6 mile run on relatively flat ground. Even though the hike is only 6 miles round trip, I would budget at least 4 to 5 hours to complete the hike. The two rock climbs take some time to navigate.

    Definitely not for the faint of heart!…read more PARKING 2 dirt lots off of Highway 2 just past the Switzer Falls turnoff. Must display Adventure Pass. There is no trail sign or marker but take the obvious dirt path and stay on it (don't go up the rocks) COLBY TRAIL Clearly defined winding trail. It's certainly steep, but I didn't have any issues with it. After 2.2 miles (maybe 40 minutes-1 hour of hiking) you'll come to a water tower where the trail splits and is unmarked. Take the trail on the right and after a couple hundred feet is a small rock pile designating a smaller trail to the right. Take this if you're intent on the mountaineer route up to Strawberry. STRAWBERRY MOUNTAINEER TRAIL The steepness definitely increases as you continue up the ridge line. You'll come to the first rocky cragg where you'll need to use your hands and feet to climb. Be very careful as some of the rocks are loose and will crumble as you grab them. There is no defined trail just get to the top of the crag however you like. After that you'll continue on the ridge to the summit. The trail is very overgrown with Spanish Bayonets and Poodle Bush. Avoid touching the plants as much as possible but you WILL touch them. Although the trail is overgrown it's pretty obvious where you should be going. I unfortunately had to turn around before the last bouldering part because I started the hike too late in the day. Will have to come back! Happy hiking!

    Photos
    Strawberry Peak via Colby Canyon - It's not really scary, I just wanted it to look that way!

    It's not really scary, I just wanted it to look that way!

    Strawberry Peak via Colby Canyon
    Strawberry Peak via Colby Canyon

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    Gabrielino Trail - Playing in the dam

    Gabrielino Trail

    4.3(82 reviews)
    5.2 mi

    A friend and I wanted to go hiking the morning of July 4th. First, we went to Sturdivant Falls,…read morebut there was a locked gate that met us and many many other cars! I found out about Gabrielino trail from Yelp! (Thank goodness for reviews) The address led us to a small parking lot, but as we walked towards the trail, I realized that there was a much larger parking lot, but not quite sure how to get to it. The trail was very beautiful and an easy hike (Nothing to steep, unless you go off the trail down towards the stream). We saw a horse and lots of dogs. The surprising part was all of the streams throughout the trail. It made for a very peaceful and tranquil walk! I was grateful for a good amount of shade that is along the trail as well! Although it's a bit of a drive from my normal hiking areas, I would definitely love to come back here for a walk or run!

    First time visiting this trail, and I brought my 11-year-old daughter along. It reminded me a lot…read moreof the Sturtevant Falls hike, but without the steep climbs, mostly flat and easy to enjoy. There are plenty of great spots to stop and take in the river, and we even came across an area with hundreds of baby frogs. The highlight was spotting a bear I'll definitely be coming back to run the trail on my own and explore farther in. One of the best things about this hike is that you can make it as long or as short as you want. You don't have to go very far to experience the beautiful scenery. It's a great outing for all ages, lots of small kids and older adults were enjoying the trail as well.

    Photos
    Gabrielino Trail
    Gabrielino Trail
    Gabrielino Trail

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    Switzer Falls - USDA Forest Service - hiking - Updated July 2026

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