Los Angeles hiking trails with mountain views overlooking LA skyline and Pacific Ocean from Santa Monica Mountains
50+ Trails Near LA

Best Hikes Near Los Angeles

From Hollywood Hills to San Gabriel Mountains—discover LA's best hiking trails with ocean and city views

Closest: 15 min
Highest: 10,064 ft (Mt Baldy)
Ranges: Santa Monica • San Gabriel • Santa Ynez

LA's Incredible Hiking Diversity

Los Angeles offers some of the most diverse hiking in America. Within an hour's drive, you can hike coastal bluffs with Pacific Ocean views, explore desert canyons dotted with wildflowers, or summit 10,000-foot peaks with snow in winter. From celebrity-spotting at Runyon Canyon to backcountry solitude in the Angeles National Forest, LA has trails for every type of hiker.

🚀 Coming Soon: Full LA Trail Coverage

We're rapidly adding comprehensive trail guides for the Los Angeles area. Priority trails being added include:

Runyon Canyon
Hollywood Hills • Easy
Mount Wilson Trail
San Gabriel Mtns • Moderate
Mount Baldy
San Gabriel Mtns • Strenuous
Sandstone Peak
Santa Monica Mtns • Moderate
Bridge to Nowhere
San Gabriel Mtns • Moderate
Escondido Falls
Malibu • Easy
Griffith Observatory
Griffith Park • Easy
Echo Mountain
San Gabriel Mtns • Moderate

Want to see a specific trail added? Email us at hello@summitseeker.io with your request!

🚀

LA Trails Coming Very Soon!

We're adding 50+ Los Angeles area trails right now. Check back in a few days for complete coverage of Santa Monica Mountains, San Gabriel Mountains, and all LA hiking hotspots!

Request Priority Trail

Essential LA Hiking Tips

🚗 Getting to Trailheads

  • • Traffic is real—add 30-60 min to Google Maps estimates
  • • Popular trails (Runyon, Griffith): Arrive before 8am or after 4pm
  • • Weekend parking fills fast—start early or choose weekdays
  • • Some trails require Adventure Pass ($5/day or $30/year)

🌡️ Weather & Seasons

  • • Year-round hiking! Winter (Nov-Mar) is greenest
  • • Summer (Jun-Sep): Very hot inland (90-100°F), start early
  • • May-June: "June Gloom" coastal fog, inland sun
  • • Best months: March-May, October-November

⚠️ Safety Concerns

  • • Rattlesnakes April-October—stay on trail, watch step
  • • Mountain lions rare but present—don't hike alone at dawn/dusk
  • • Poison oak is everywhere—learn to identify it
  • • Fire danger high summer/fall—check closures before going

💧 Water & Gear

  • • Bring 2-3 liters minimum (no water on most trails)
  • • Sun protection crucial—shade is rare
  • • Layers for elevation changes (40°F swing possible)
  • • Cell service spotty in canyons—download offline maps