Hiking California's Coast

Los Angeles Area
Temescal Canyon & Ridge Loop:
Highlight: Amazing views overlooking Santa Monica and Downtown LA.  Looking North, views of spectacular Malibu homes. 

Distance: 3.8 miles; about 2 hrs

Difficulty: Steep uphill, but fairly short distance

Notes:  
  • Parking is pay in the park's parking lot ($7), so I parked on Sunset Boulevard instead
  • There are two trails I followed - I took the Temescal Ridge trail up and the Temescal Canyon Trail down, although it might have been nicer to have gone in reverse and got to enjoy the views of Santa Monica.  As it was, I still had the views, but had to stop and turn around to enjoy them.
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Escondido Falls
Highlight: 150ft falls, fancy Malibu mansions

Distance: 4.2 miles, about 2 hrs

Difficulty: Relatively easy until the end where there is a bit of scrambling. 

Notes:  
  • Park at Winding Way and walk along the road up to the park - there are signs
  • Be careful climbing up to the top of the falls - always make sure you can come back down. 
  • There are ropes to climb up under the falls - I didn't do it, but looked like an adventure
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San Diego Area