SoCal Trails
Home mountains, deserts, and beaches — the backyard wilderness of Southern California. Here are some of my favorites.
Angeles Forest
Angeles Forest and San Gabriel Mountains
Secrets in your backyard. Waterfalls, mountains, and snow-capped summits — each one unique, every one earned on foot deep in the Angeles National Forest.
Tujunga Falls
ModeratePark on the side of the road. Not as popular — only flows after good rain, dries up in summer.
San Antonio Falls
EasyJust off the official Mt. Baldy Trail with plenty of parking. Moderately popular and flows all year.
Lewis Falls
EasyA hidden gem off the Angeles Crest Highway. No parking lot (roadside only) and no trail — just follow the river upstream. Flows all year.
Monrovia Canyon Falls
EasyPlenty of parking. Very popular and flows year round.
Stoddard Falls
EasyLots of parking. Popular year-round waterfall with ice-cold water, a deep pool, and a natural waterslide — no trail, just follow the river through a narrow canyon that makes you feel like you're in the jungle.
Switzer Falls
ModerateLots of parking, but it fills up very fast on weekends. Extremely popular year-round hike with ice-cold water, a swimmable lower falls pool, and a huge upper falls about half a mile above on a sketchy cliff section.
Jackson Lake & Wrightwood
EasyA fun winter getaway along the Angeles Crest Highway near Wrightwood, gorgeous after a rainstorm. Jackson Lake is great for fishing and snow hiking, and Mountain High ski resort is right nearby. These mountains are pure snow fun.