The best waterfall hikes and walks around Los Angeles

Topanga State Park has a lot of great trails, mostly for hikers; you have plenty of mountain bike options too, but only on the fire roads. No dogs allowed — sorry!

Eponymously shaped giant rock. The 💀 skull resemblace is best visible from the Temescal Ridge Trail, even more clearly a few hundred yards away. A fixed rope helps to climb onto the vertical rock. A slightly taller adjecent rock needle provides even better views

Presbyterian Conference Grounds 1922. North Temescal Canyon Road at Sunset Boulevard. This site once belonged to the Methodists and was the site of the yearly Chautauqua meetings and performances, which were a part of the cultural ‘Uplift Movement” for the common man at the turn of the century. The site includes many historic structures, including the Temescal Camp Store, Woodland Hall, Stewart Hall, several original wood cabins, several later stucco cabins, and a number of residential buildings. Additional features of the park include stone steps and retaining walls, picnic areas, restroom buildings, surface parking lots, hiking trails, and mature natural landscaping. Significant as the site of the original Chautauqua Conference Grounds, established by Methodist minister Rev. Dr. Charles Holmes Scott, founder of Pacific Palisades. The site was established as a West Coast center for the Chautauqua Movement. The Chautauqua Movement originated on the East Coast near Chautauqua Lake in New York State, and was a means for people living in rural or isolated areas to have access to art, music, culture, history, and current events. The structures developed by Rev. Dr. Scott were built in 1922. In 1943, the land was purchased by the Presbyterian Synod and used as a private retreat location. In 1994, the land was acquired by the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy for use as a public park. Today, the site is operated by the Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks as Temescal Gateway Park and Temescal Canyon Conference & Retreat Center. Many historic structures remain in use today. SurveyLA – La Historic Resource Survey https://www.pacificpalisadeshistory.org/presbyterian-conference-grounds

Presbyterian Conference Grounds 1922 North Temescal Canyon Road at Sunset Boulevard. This site once belonged to the Methodists and was the site of the yearly Chautauqua meetings and performances, which were a part of the cultural ‘Uplift Movement” for the common man at the turn of the century. The site includes many historic structures, including the Temescal Camp Store, Woodland Hall, Stewart Hall, several original wood cabins, several later stucco cabins, and a number of residential buildings. Additional features of the park include stone steps and retaining walls, picnic areas, restroom buildings, surface parking lots, hiking trails, and mature natural landscaping. Significant as the site of the original Chautauqua Conference Grounds, established by Methodist minister Rev. Dr. Charles Holmes Scott, founder of Pacific Palisades. The site was established as a West Coast center for the Chautauqua Movement. The Chautauqua Movement originated on the East Coast near Chautauqua Lake in New York State, and was a means for people living in rural or isolated areas to have access to art, music, culture, history, and current events. The structures developed by Rev. Dr. Scott were built in 1922. In 1943, the land was purchased by the Presbyterian Synod and used as a private retreat location. In 1994, the land was acquired by the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy for use as a public park. Today, the site is operated by the Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks as Temescal Gateway Park and Temescal Canyon Conference & Retreat Center. Many historic structures remain in use today. SurveyLA – La Historic Resource Survey. https://www.pacificpalisadeshistory.org/presbyterian-conference-grounds

From here there is a perfect 360 degree view. Santa Monica mountains are completely visible in good weather

Very much weather dependant on what the water table condition is? Either way with a nice bridge on site, it is a great rest spot and might be an opportune spot to cool down or dip your buff in the water.

This intersection of trails is literally known as the 'Hub.' It is where the Backbone Trail and the Eagle Springs Fire Road crossover. It's a great place for a break and there are restrooms here too. The views of the surrounding hills are simply gorgeous and there is also some welcome shade if needed.

At 2,126 feet, Temescal Peak is the highest peak in Topanga State Park, which is the largest state park in the Santa Monica Mountains. It is criss-crossed by a well-maintained network of trails and there are great views to be had from the top on clear days.