Favorite Hikes
The Huntington
Ok so I realize that
The Huntington isn't technically a hike. However, the grounds are massive and there are loads of beautiful trails to walk on so I say it should count! One of my dear friends invited a couple of us to join her at this historical site in Los Angeles County a couple of days before my birthday. To be honest, I had no idea this place even existed so my expectations were low. I do love a good botanical garden and learning about the history of California, so I figured it would be interesting at the least. I was very pleasantly surprised by how much I loved this place, and we only scratched the surface of what it has to offer! You can read more about the history on the linked website above. But for starters, the grounds house:
A Library- This world renown library houses over 12 million items to peruse with represented dates anywhere between the 11th and 21st century.
An Art Museum- Enjoy art? Check out their museum which houses over 45,000 pieces with British, European, American, and Asian roots.
Botanical Gardens- Explore over 130 acres worth of stunning garden themes like Japanese, Chinese, Australian, and more!
Plus! Their cafe is delicious and reasonably priced. Their gift shop is so precious. And their tea room is full of charm! This place is great year round for the whole family to enjoy, or for those solo adventurers itching to reach a book with stunning panoramic views.
Heart Rock Trail
This moderate trail is the perfect adventure for water and forrest lovers! Tucked away in the San Bernardino National Forrest, Heart Rock Trail is located in Crestline, California. From Fullerton, the drive to the trailhead was exactly 1 hour and 3 minutes, making it a perfect half-day getaway. Or, if you want to make an overnight stay of it, rent a cabin or pitch a tent and visit the adorable near by Crestline village, Lake Gregory, or Lake Arrowhead. This trail runs alongside a year-round creek with perfect swim holes. It leads right to a 20+ foot waterfall that falls alongside a large rock cliff that appears to have a heart shape cut out of it. The trail dead ends right at the top of the rock cliff. An easy climb down puts you at the top of the waterfall, and another climb down (a bit more difficult) puts you at the base of the waterfall. It doesn't look big in pictures, but the heart rock cutout can hold 4-6 adults. Dogs are allowed. This trail was kid friendly. And we even spotted some rock climbers. I'd give this hike a 8/10, only because there was graffiti along the paths, and no signs at all indicating where the waterfall was. But, parking was easy and free, and the trail was so much fun! Check out my Youtube channel for a video of this adventure
Bonita Falls
Bonita Falls is a 100+ foot spring fed waterfall nestled within the beautiful mountains of Lytle Creek, California. To get here, you must drive through the San Bernardino National Forest, making for some beautiful scenery. There are some important safety considerations for this hike: You must cross a rapidly flowing creek to get to the hiking trail. While I had no problems crossing at a shallow point with my dog, please note that the rapids can be fast and dangerous if you aren't careful. Some spots were over 6 inches deep and really flowing after recent rainfall and melted snow. The terrain is also very rocky for the majority of the hike. If you have ankle or knee problems, this hike might not be for you. There is wild life! I encountered a large group of mountain goats, and I'm sure there are mountain lions all around as well. There were no signs on the trail to guide me, however, there was graffiti all over the rocks that led straight to the falls. (A bummer for sure, but also semi helpful in guiding the way. Check parking! The main trail head parking was closed when I went, though not displayed as closed online. I ended up paying $10 to park at the Bonita Falls Campground (it felt a little sketch at first but I had zero safety issues!). Overall, it is a beautiful and amazing waterfall that is worth the hike. Just know what to expect and plan accordingly. I would most definitely do the hike again and bring friends!
Skyline Drive Trail
This stunning trail is located just off of Foothill Parkway in Corona, California. The trail starts off on the edge of a beautiful residential neighborhood so I didn't quite know what to expect. I even had to walk over a creek bed on a man-made bridge consisting of old railway beams tied together by wire. It felt adventurous, to say the least. But as I hiked across an open field along the trail, the path led me right into the heart of breathtaking canyons. City noise quickly transitioned into sounds of nature. This trail has many break off points that lead to lengthy trails, including mountain bike trails! So just make sure you know your plan and have lots of water. As with most SoCal hikes, be aware of mountain lions and coyotes. Thankfully, I saw neither. This hike can be as short or long as you want it to be!
Fresno Canyon Trail
Fresno Canyon Trail is so easy to miss as the entrance is nestled right against the busy Green River Rd. in Corona, CA. This is a very simple trail with a dirt path that goes straight up into the canyon. If you go during golden hour, you will get an amazing view of the sun setting over the San Bernardino mountains. You can park your car right by the entrance to the trail, on Nicholas Pl. street, and walk over to the trail on a sidewalk next to Green River Rd. This is great for your kids, pets, or even just a solo hike. I hiked into the canyon in less than 15 minutes with no safety concerns. This area is known for coyotes and snakes so just be mindful.
Hollyridge Trail
If you've ever wondered what it would be like to stand directly behind the infamous Hollywood letters and overlook the city of Los Angeles, then this trail is for you! The Hollyridge trail is marked as "moderate" due to an elevation gain of 849 feet over 5.1 miles round trip. There were parts of the trail where my niece and I were straight climbing up rocks, but it was so fun. The elevation definitely kicked our Texas booties, so bring loads of water as there isn't much shade on this trail. While we only experienced a coyote walk in front of us, be mindful that mountain lions and rattle snakes have also been spotted on this trail. While the Hollywood sign is protected by a fence that remains under video surveillance for trespassers, you can get really close to the fence for some awesome photos! Check out other hikes and locations here to get good pictures with the Hollywood sign.
Solstice Canyon Trail
One of the most unique hiking trails in Southern California is by far Solstice Canyon trail. This beautiful hike is located in the mountainous canyons of Malibu and is especially gorgeous in the Spring. Follow the 2.6 mile trail through the mountains until you reach the beautiful ruins of a partially burned mansion built in the mid 1900s. The ruins are surrounded by trickling waterfalls and lush greenery in the Spring. Plus, all throughout the hike you will experience gorgeous views of the Malibu coast. While this trail is partially shaded the closer you get to the ruins, be mindful that the bulk of the hike is not shaded. And of course, there is always risk of running into mountain lions in these hills!
Know of a good hike in Southern California?
I am always on the hunt for scenic and adventurous trails in the Southern California area. If you have any recommendations, please let me know and I'll make sure to check it out and highlight it on the blog!