Top Hiking Trails Near Los Angeles for Perfect Weekend Escapes

A weekend in Los Angeles doesn’t always have to mean crowded beaches or long brunch lines. Drive a short distance and the landscape shifts—dusty trails, coastal breezes, and peaks with air cool enough to sting a little. Hiking near LA has become the city’s quiet weekend currency.

Table: Popular Weekend Trails Around Los Angeles

Top LA Hiking Spots for a Weekend Escape

Los Angeles has always balanced between noise and silence. Traffic hums on one side, coyotes call on another. Trails give residents an exit route, if only for a few hours. They don’t just bring exercise but also reminders that the region is stitched together by mountains, canyons, and sea cliffs.

1. Runyon Canyon

Crowds line up early here, chasing views of the Hollywood sign. Dust rises under running shoes, and dogs tug leashes uphill. The skyline spreads wide, towers glittering in morning haze. Despite the crowds, the energy feels electric, like a stage where city and nature meet.

2. Griffith Park Mount Hollywood

This route is easier on the legs. Paths twist past scrub oak and lead toward the Griffith Observatory. At the summit, Los Angeles stretches endlessly, a patchwork of neighborhoods under smog-streaked skies. Families snap photos, while joggers push further into the park’s maze.

3. Eaton Canyon

Pasadena’s Eaton Canyon holds a waterfall that locals brag about each spring. The trail winds through dry washes dotted with sage. After rains, water crashes into a rocky pool, splashing hikers who edge too close. In summer, the creek shrinks, but the canyon still carries its charm.

4. Escondido Falls

Malibu hides this spot behind winding roads and gated estates. The path itself is easy, shaded in places, until it reveals a limestone wall where water slips down. In wet months, the falls thunder, echoing through the canyon. On dry days, the rock face feels almost sculpted.

5. Los Liones to Parker Mesa

The start is calm, green vines curling overhead. But the climb doesn’t stay gentle. By mid-hike, lungs burn, and the ridge opens to an endless blue Pacific. At Parker Mesa, the overlook steals attention: Catalina Island in the distance, Malibu cliffs in sharp relief.

6. Temescal Canyon Loop

Close to the city yet surprisingly wild. The loop begins in eucalyptus shade before rising sharply. The air smells of salt when ocean views appear. Descending into the canyon, trickles of water cross the trail. Locals swear it feels cooler here, even on summer afternoons.

7. Sandstone Peak

The Santa Monica Mountains top out here. Six miles of steady climbing and rocky switchbacks end with wind pressing against skin. From the summit, the view runs in every direction: desert haze eastward, Catalina south, rugged ridges close enough to touch. Worth the sweat.

8. Mount Baldy

This one isn’t forgiving. Eleven miles of steep terrain, thinning air, and long exposure test patience. Snow often lingers even when the basin below swelters. At the summit, the city looks like a toy set under clouds. Hikers huddle near rocks, wind snapping jackets.

9. Sturtevant Falls

Hidden in a canyon near Arcadia, the trail to Sturtevant Falls feels older than most. Wooden cabins line the path, relics from an earlier era. The waterfall tumbles into a shaded pool, echoing off mossy cliffs. On warm weekends, families dip their hands into the cold stream.

10. Will Rogers State Park Loop

Horses shuffle near the trailhead, hooves tapping dirt. The climb through Rustic Canyon twists past oak groves before opening at Inspiration Point. The ocean shimmers faintly in the distance. On quiet days, the only sound is wind moving through dry grass on the ridges.

Weekend Trails as City Lifelines

These trails aren’t luxuries. They’re safety valves for a region always buzzing. A weekend walk in Los Angeles can start with dust under sneakers and end with a view where noise fades. For many residents, these paths remain the most reliable way to breathe.

FAQs

Q1: Which LA trail works best for short weekend visits with minimal effort?
Griffith Park’s Mount Hollywood route is short, accessible, and ends with a panoramic view of the city skyline.

Q2: Do Los Angeles waterfalls run all year on hiking trails?
Most waterfalls, including Eaton Canyon and Escondido Falls, flow heavily in spring but shrink or dry during hotter summer months.

Q3: Which weekend trail near LA reaches the highest elevation?
Mount Baldy stands above 10,000 feet, the tallest summit within reach of Los Angeles for determined weekend hikers.

Q4: What are family-friendly hiking options in the Los Angeles area?
Kenneth Hahn Park, Griffith Park, and some loops at Malibu Creek State Park offer easy paths with plenty of space.

Q5: Do parking permits apply to all weekend hikes near Los Angeles?
Not all, but many trailheads require a state park fee or an Adventure Pass, especially in the Angeles National Forest.