The 10 Best Waterfall Hikes In the Los Angeles Area
The Grotto
Malibu
Brush off your bouldering skills for this truly unique three-mile expedition, which takes you to a small, slightly hidden grotto surrounded by giant rocks. You’ll find a mini waterfall at the grotto’s base and — as long as you’re willing to get a little dirty — plenty of opportunities to explore.
Difficulty level: 3
Sturtevant Falls
Sierra Madre
City dwellers yearning for an escape will find it in this picturesque and mostly shaded 3.5-mile hike, starting at the Chantry Flats trailhead in sprawling Angeles National Forest. Along the way, you’ll spot rich foliage, occasional wildlife, and a handful of privately owned rustic cabins nestled in the forest. Be prepared for a few obstacles — like shallow stream crossings and a hilly incline toward the end — that make you feel as if you’re in a real-life Super Mario Bros. game.
Difficulty level: 3
Fish Canyon Falls
Duarte
Unless active rock quarries interest you, the start of this nearly five-mile hike is boring, but the scenery improves dramatically once you cross a metal bridge over Fish Canyon Creek to the lush main pathway. Bear with the trail, which is narrow in parts and abundant with poison oak (wear long pants!), because the final destination — a three-tiered waterfall that drops over 80ft into a clear punch bowl at its base — is a satisfying sight.
Difficulty level: 3
Take the kids on these waterfall hikes and get them used to the beauty of nature. See the complete list at Thrillist, and we’ll see you on the trail.
