Los Angeles is a city where dreams are chased and exercise is most fun when done outdoors. Hiking is one of the hottest ways to be seen, get that endorphin high, and achieve that classic sunkissed SoCal skin look!

After living in Los Angeles for over 15 years, I’ve been on all kinds of hikes all over my hometown.  Here is a list of my all-time favorite places to get lost in the City of Angels.

Griffith Park – East LA/The Valley/Burbank

Hike Level:  Dealer’s Choice!

Time:  Any!

When you’re short on time, but want to truly hike ON the beaten path, look no further than Griffith Park.  With over 4,210 acres to explore, Griffith Park has multiple trailhead openings and paths that range from chill “walk and talk coffee dates” to strenuous hikes to get your heartbeat up and running.  Boasting 67 different trails for you to choose your own adventure, Griffith Park can take you to the famous Mount Hollywood Trails  to the Old Zoo Trail. It really is a one-stop hiking shop for all your outdoorsy needs.

One of the best hikes in Griffith Park starts at @thetrailscafe and plops you right off at Griffith Observatory.   While this specific hike is moderately strenuous, it only takes around 30 to 45 minutes to reach the top, and the view of Los Angeles is worth the climb.

Another bonus to choosing Griffith Park are the little offshoots each trail has for you to explore if you have the time.  With hidden pathways and magical entrances, Griffith Park is the hiking experience that truly keeps on giving! Look alive as Griffith Park is Coyote Central, and you will most likely see one (or several) on your LA hiking outings.  

Runyon Canyon – Hollywood – @runyoncanyon

Hike Level:  Moderate

Time:  1.5  Hours

Looking to get in a celebrity sighting during your visit?  You got it at Runyon Canyon Trail.  This is the place to see and be seen.  Runyon Canyon is quite open and sunny, so sunscreen is highly recommended.  Dogs are welcome at Runyon, but be careful on the descent down where there are many loose rocks and debris.  Extra active and looking for a challenge? I love taking the hike in reverse.  Instead of following the main path, once inside take the hard left where everyone is leaving and scale the mountain vertically when everyone is heading downwards.

Fryman Canyon – Studio City – @frymancanyon

Hike Level:  Easy

Time:  1 Hour

At just three miles with a hiking time of around 1.5 hours, Fryman Canyon truly transports you to a wooded wilderness out of the busy city.  Fryman offers more of a chill and easy vibe for the hikes on this list, making this an absolute must for an evening walk after enjoying your day at Universal Studios Hollywood.   

With lots of shade and green glens at every turn, Fryman Canyon is a beautiful trail to introduce yourself to the LA hiking lifestyle.  

Eaton Canyon – Altadena 

Hike Level:  Moderate to Hard

Time:  2+ Hours

This is a hike for the books – but get prepared to get wet! Depending on the amount of rain the city received prior to your visit, the small trails and rivers might be higher than usual, resulting in a more difficult hike. 

Removed from the big city vibe that is Los Angeles,  Eaton Canyon feels like the sort of magical place you might escape to in a fairytale.  

Nestled deep in the canyon, sunscreen won’t be needed, but waterproof shoes  or a set you don’t care for any longer – are necessary.  Your reward at the end of the trail is a stunning waterfall that makes the journey totally worth it.  

The Baldwin Hills Overlook (Culver City Stairs) – @bhsostatepark

Hike Level: The walking paths, easy.  Steps, Hard.

Time:  Walking Paths:  1 Hour.  Steps:  30+ Minutes

If you’re staying on the westside of LA and want to get out and about there is no better place to go than the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook and the Culver City Steps.  With free parking in abundance, this is an ideal place to add some good solid cardio into your vacation.

Before conquering the stairs, you’ll find several gentle pathways that take you around lovely community gardens where you’ll end up at a stunning overpass. This is the perfect warmup for your hike, but there’s not a lot of shade, so pack some sunscreen to protect yourself. 

The stairs themself are a massive undertaking!  The steps are quite uneven and old. You’ll be sore the next day if you don’t take proper precautions so stretch appropriately (before and after) and take your time climbing. Once you reach the top, the cool breeze against your face and incredible view of the city will make the workout totally worth it.  

Have a tiny bladder?  Not to worry, the overlook has extremely clean bathrooms along the hiking route.  So bring all of the water bottles you desire! 

Murphy’s Ranch – Santa Monica Mountains

Hike Level:  Hard

Time:  3 + Hours

Murphy Ranch Trail is not for the faint of heart.  While it’s “technically” forbidden, I’ve taken this hike multiple times and have never run into any trouble besides the random rattlesnake.  Located deep in the Palisades, this trail was originally developed by Nazi sympathizers to be a self-sustained compound in the 1930’s. Thankfully, they were quickly snuffed out and the buildings and staircases were left to ruin.  

There are multiple ways to experience Murphy Ranch Road Trail.  First, you can take the staircase down that leads you to the old water tower and bunker house. Once there you can see the remaining plans for a garden and additional buildings.  Another option is to follow the main trail from the gated entrance to a Lord of the Rings-esque path that takes around an hour and a half to walk.  After exploring the ruins, take the stairs all the way back to the hiking trails for a nice booty blast!

Vazquez Rocks – Agua Dulce 

Hike Level:  Medium

Time:  2 Hours

If you’re a SciFi, Fantasy, or Old West fan this place is definitely on your bucket list so you won’t mind the hour and fifteen minute drive to get there. Located in between Los Angeles and Lancaster, Vasquez Rocks Trail has been featured in multiple films and television series.  With its angular side cut rocks, this 2.7 mile loop usually takes around 2 hours to explore. This is an amazing spot to sit and meditate and find some space away from Los Angeles. It’s perfect for an early morning trip away.  

Beachwood Canyon Steps – Hollywood Land

Hike Level:  Medium

Time:  1.5 Hours

Originally built in the 1920’s for the Hollywood Elite to inhabit, Beachwood Canyon is a darling little pocket of a neighborhood to explore.  Stacked with multiple sets of steps for you to traverse around, this series of stairs and paved streets lead to multiple Inner City hikes.  Depending on your endgame, you might end up on a different route to the Hollywood Sign, or at the top of a lookout in a residential area.  Dogs are welcome, but since this hike is located inside a residential neighborhood, they are required to be on leash!  

If you’re hungry after climbing all those stairs, be sure to hit up the Beachwood Cafe, open Tuesday – Sunday from 9am – 4pm, to snag a delightful meal and check out the Little Free Library located just next door.

Trail Canyon Falls – Tujunga 

Hike Level:  Hard

Time:  1.5 Hours
Trail Canyon Falls is a stunning hike that has an incredible waterfall payoff at the end of the road.  This is a rigorous hike that involves traversing multiple streams and rivers, some of which can only be crossed by fallen trees.  Smaller pets might need to be carried but bigger more athletic dogs should be fine.  While the start of the hike is nothing to write home about, but as you get deeper and deeper into it, the forest opens up and you are teleported away with the end prize of a stunning waterfall as a perfect payoff.