You search for the “best hikes in Los Angeles” and see the same trails every time. Half of them feel like sidewalk traffic with dirt underfoot. So let’s shift the pace.
This guide maps out LA hikes that lead to shaded climbs, quiet views, and a picnic moment made to linger.
After the walk, it’s citrus spritz, low blankets, and scenery that sticks with you. We include local voices and real-life details to keep it grounded. It’s still a trail guide, just styled differently. Less checklist, more curated calm.
LA Hikes with Captivating Views 🥾
You don’t need hours of climbing to reach a show-stopping view. Some of LA’s most scenic trails sit just above the city’s pulse, offering open skies and skyline moments with just the right amount of effort. These urban paths bring ease, elegance, and the kind of photo ops that deserve a linen throw nearby.
1. Runyon Canyon, Hollywood + Sunrise Citrus Picnic 👣
🐕 Pets: This is a pet-friendly park, and it’s common to see hikers with dogs off-leash, although leashes are required officially.
Runyon is the classic for a reason. When you time it right—just after sunrise—it turns into something special. The incline is moderate, the trail wide enough to wander without a rush.
Morning light stretches across the basin while the city wakes up below. Up top, unwind with grapefruit spritz, soft linens, and skyline Polaroids waiting to happen.
📍 Address: 2000 N Fuller Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046.
“Griffith at 6 AM feels like a private concert with the city.”
2. Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook, Ridge Breeze Setup ⛰️
🐕 Pets: Pets are allowed on a leash.
Start with a heart-thumping stair climb and end with a view that belongs on film. Baldwin Hills moves quickly, but the payoff is calm and wide. The overlook lays LA out like a living map. Bring light bites, wear the wide-brim hat, and let the breeze do the rest.
📍 Address: 6300 Hetzler Rd, Culver City, CA 90232.
“I climb it when I need to reset. Ten minutes up, and the whole city goes quiet.”
It’s the kind of place where your water bottle starts to feel like an accessory.
Hiking Trails in Los Angeles for Solitude 🌲🌳🌿
Some trails don’t shout for attention. They stay quiet on purpose. These routes drift through shaded canyons, curve beneath tree cover, and trace breezy ridgelines. Each one holds space for breath, quiet, and the kind of clarity that’s hard to find in a city that never slows down.
3. Temescal Canyon Trail, Pacific Palisades 🌲
Eucalyptus Escape
The trail moves through a cool canyon where eucalyptus branches sway above and ocean air lingers at the edges. About halfway in, it opens wide enough to pause and step barefoot onto packed dirt. It’s not a climb that tests you, but it gives back what you didn’t know you needed. Bring cucumber-mint water, a rustic basket, and let the quiet do its job.
📍 Address: Los Angeles, CA 90272, USA
“I come here when I need clarity. No headphones, no scroll. Just leaves and light.”
4. Fryman Canyon, Studio City 🌳
Sunday Slow-Down
Tucked behind Studio City’s calm streets, Fryman Canyon moves easily. Tree tunnels, wood footbridges, and shade along the loop give it an old-LA hush. This is the trail for soft starts and midday resets. Pick a bench, settle in with apple slices and soft cheese, and give the city a break.
📍 Address: 8401 Mulholland Dr, Studio City, CA 91604, United States
“It’s where I go when I want to forget I’m in LA. It always works.”
5. Charlie Turner Trail, Griffith Park 🍃
Morning Vista Spread
🐾 Pets: Pets are allowed but must be kept on a leash.
The path begins quietly and builds into an open-air reward. Brush flanks the trail, and the skyline begins to rise as you do. It’s best just after sunrise, when the air still holds night and the hilltops haven’t been claimed. Set down a pastry box, pour chai into a cup, and stretch out your view.
📍 Address: Accessible from Griffith Observatory parking lot, 2800 E Observatory Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90027.
“There’s something about that view at 8 AM. It’s like LA lets you in before it puts its armor on.”
Hikes Near Los Angeles That Lead to the Coast 💚
These paths trace the edge of the Pacific without dragging you into the usual beachside chaos. The air smells of salt and sage. Wildflowers line the route. The cliffs open wide just as the city fades behind you. For anyone needing an ocean view with space to stretch out, these trails keep it calm and coastal.
6. Los Liones Trail, Pacific Palisades 🚵🏿
Bluffs & Berries Picnic
The climb starts under a canopy of canyon green and ends at a bluff that always seems too wide for the screen. Locals come for the open views and quiet movement. Bring a straw mat, blueberry hand pies, and a vintage thermos with something warm inside.
📍 Address: Los Angeles, CA 90272, USA
“On foggy mornings, it feels like the cliffs are holding their breath. It’s quiet in the best way.”
7. Point Dume Nature Preserve, Malibu 🍀
Windy Lookout Snack Break
This trail keeps things easy. A short walk brings you to panoramic views, with sand underfoot and the ocean stretching out ahead. It’s a location that has sparked more than one romantic picnic proposal over the years.
It’s all open air and small effort. Stroll through slowly, let the breeze pass through, and settle in with lightweight bites.
📍 Address: Birdview Ave, Malibu, CA 90265, United States
“I take friends here when they visit. The trail does all the talking.”
8. Sara Wan Trailhead at Corral Canyon, Malibu 🍃
Coastal Calm Picnic
🐾 Pets: Pets are allowed but must be on a leash to protect the area’s wildlife and habitat.
Though it sits close to the highway, this trail feels far removed. Sage brushes your legs as the path climbs. Views unfold along sea-bluff edges, and the wind follows you to the top. Pack brie, fig jam, linen napkins, and enjoy a romantic picnic date made for two under coastal skies.
📍 Address: 25623 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA 90265.
“It’s the kind of quiet that sticks with you. I go to breathe better.”
Hidden Los Angeles Hiking Spots for Shade Seekers ❇️
There are trails in LA that feel like well-kept secrets. Tucked behind neighborhoods or just outside the city grid, these shaded routes bring quiet, filtered light and a much-needed break from the hardscape. They move slower, stay cooler, and welcome long rests with open arms.
9. Eaton Canyon Falls, Altadena ☘️
Creekside Charcuterie
This hike leads you into a world of rustling leaves and running water. The trail ends at a small waterfall, where the rocks stay cool and the light cuts through just enough. Bring a wooden board, olives, lemon fizz, and let the sound of water replace whatever you left behind.
📍 Address: California 91001, USA
“Feels like you’ve left LA without leaving the 210.”
10. Franklin Canyon Park, Beverly Hills ☘️🌿
Woodland Wander Feast
This pocket of trail weaves through ponds and tree lines that seem stuck in time. It’s quiet, rarely crowded, and invites you to wander without checking the clock.
It’s perfect for low-slung blankets, soft focaccia, and group hangs that double as stylish team-building moments in LA.
📍 Address: 2600 Franklin Canyon Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210, United States
“Among the best-kept hikes in LA for afternoon stillness.”
11. Portuguese Bend Reserve, Rancho Palos Verdes 💚☘️🍃
Golden Hour Grazing
🐕 Pets: Pets are welcome but must remain on leashes to protect the natural surroundings.
Waves of golden hills stretch toward the coast, with just enough trail to feel distant without going far. The paths roll gently, giving you room to pause and look out. Bring lavender lemonade, shortbread, and canvas chairs that hug the ground.
📍 Address: Crenshaw Blvd, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275.
“I always stay longer than I plan to. Something about the light keeps asking you to linger.”
Hidden Los Angeles Hiking Spots for Shade Seekers ✅️
There are trails in LA that feel like well-kept secrets. Tucked behind neighborhoods or just outside the city grid, these shaded routes bring quiet, filtered light and a much-needed break from the hardscape. They move slower, stay cooler, and welcome long rests with open arms.
12. Eaton Canyon Falls, Altadena 🌄
Creekside Charcuterie
This hike leads you into a world of rustling leaves and running water. The trail ends at a small waterfall, where the rocks stay cool and the light cuts through just enough. Bring a wooden board, olives, lemon fizz, and let the sound of water replace whatever you left behind.
📍 Address: California 91001, USA
“Feels like you’ve left LA without leaving the 210.”
13. Franklin Canyon Park, Beverly Hills ⛰️
Woodland Wander Feast
This pocket of trail weaves through ponds and tree lines that seem stuck in time. It’s quiet, rarely crowded, and invites you to wander without checking the clock. It’s perfect for low-slung blankets, soft focaccia, and sun slipping through branches.
📍 Address: 2600 Franklin Canyon Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210, United States
“Among the best-kept hikes in LA for afternoon stillness.”
14. Portuguese Bend Reserve, Rancho Palos Verdes 🌄
Golden Hour Grazing
Waves of golden hills stretch toward the coast, with just enough trail to feel distant without going far. The paths roll gently, giving you room to pause and look out. Bring lavender lemonade, shortbread, and canvas chairs that hug the ground.
📍 Address: Burma Rd, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275, United States
“I always stay longer than I plan to. Something about the light keeps asking you to linger.”
A New Way to Gather Outdoors 🌿
Hiking is great, but the best part is when you stop, take it all in, and just relax. That pause? It deserves more than a granola bar and a rock to sit on.
If you are local or visiting, there is a new way to enjoy the outdoors that actually feels like a treat. A luxury picnic turns your trail break into something a bit more memorable. Enjoy the nature with low tables, comfy cushions, layered linens, and a setup that came straight out of a lifestyle shoot.
You do not have to pack a thing. We are your LA luxury picnic company that handles it all, so you can just show up and enjoy. It has become a go-to for birthdays, proposals, weekend hangs, or those “why not?” days that deserve a little something extra.
Because honestly, if you are going to catch your breath, why not do it in style?
When you’re ready for soft throws, curated bites, and a view worth staying for, Picnic Makers has everything set. Just bring the mood.
FAQs
What is the best time of year to go hiking in Los Angeles?
The best times for hikes in LA are spring (March to May) and fall (September to November). The weather is generally mild during these periods, and the trails are less crowded.
Are there any guided hiking tours available in LA?
Local nature centers and park services frequently offer these tours, especially on popular trails like Griffith Park and the Santa Monica Mountains. These tours can provide additional historical and ecological context to the hiking experience, which is particularly beneficial for those interested in learning more about the area’s natural environment and history.
How to prepare for a hike in the urban parks?
Preparation for hiking in Los Angeles should include several key steps: wear appropriate footwear, such as hiking boots or sturdy sneakers; bring adequate water, especially during warmer months; and consider the best water jugs to stay hydrated. Apply sunscreen lotion, wear a hat for sun protection, and carry a map or GPS.
Are any hiking trails in Los Angeles suitable for families with children?
The Griffith Park trails, for example, offer easy routes that are great for children, especially if you’re planning things to do in LA with kids around a scenic morning. Another good option is the Malibu Creek State Park, which features flat paths and plenty of scenic spots perfect for a family picnic.
What should I do if I encounter wildlife on the trail?
When visiting the best hikes in Los Angeles, it’s important to keep a safe distance and avoid feeding the animals. Most wildlife will avoid humans, but it’s crucial to be calm and quiet so you do not startle them. When approaching larger animals like coyotes, maintain eye contact and slowly back away without turning your back.
Each trail offers a unique way to experience Los Angeles’s diverse landscapes. Whether you’re looking for a casual stroll or a vigorous hike, the best hikes in Los Angeles have something for every type of outdoor enthusiast.
Remember to prepare appropriately for the conditions, respect the natural environment, and, most importantly, enjoy the journey.
