Take a Break from the City: LA Day Trip Ideas for Getting Back to Nature
For Earth Day, we’re kicking off a list of favorite locations throughout California for when you want to hike, explore, and enjoy the great outdoors. This list is for when you find yourself in LA, but crave the peace and calm of nature. These are all tried and true spots to enjoy the best of what our beautiful planet and the Greater Los Angeles Area has to offer.
Enjoy a can of Malus along the way or after you’ve completed the hike! Please recycle, and prioritize keeping these trails as beautiful as you found them.
Feel like we’ve missed one? Message us on Instagram @drinkmalus or send an email to info@harmonycraftbeverages.com, and we’ll continue adding to this list! (More regional suggestions coming soon)
Malibu|Topanga State Park Day Trip
Santa Ynez – Waterfall Canyon | Topanga
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- Trailhead Address: 17399 Vereda De La Montura, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272
- Drive: 45mins, 40miles
- Hike: Easy, 2.5 Miles
- Free parking
- Notes: Not much water. Go during the weekday if you can to avoid crowds.
- https://www.hikespeak.com/trails/santa-ynez-falls/
Red Rock Creek Trail – Caves, Water | Topanga
- Trailhead address: 23601 West Red Rock Road, Topanga Canyon, CA 90290
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- Drive: 1HR, 45 – 50 Miles
- Hike: Moderate, 2.5 Miles, 1.5 hours
- $5 parking pass
- Notes: Very hot during spring/summer
- https://www.hikespeak.com/trails/red-rock-canyon/
Rockpool – Century Lake Trail | Malibu
- Trailhead address: 1925 Las Virgenes Road, Malibu Creek State Park, Calabasas, CA 91302
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- Drive: 1hr20m, 55 – 60 mIles
- Hike: Easy, 4.5 Miles, 1.45HR
- $5 parking pass
- Notes: Not ideal for kids, but it’s doable. However, you can climb the rock wall if there’s no kids
- https://www.hikespeak.com/trails/malibu-creek-gorge-rock-pool/
Escondido Falls | Malibu
- Trailhead address: 27807 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA 90265
- Drive: 1HR, 50-57 miles
- Hike: Easy, 4 miles, 1.45HR
- $5 parking pass
- Notes: Little water, kid-friendly
- https://www.hikespeak.com/trails/escondido-falls-santa-monica-mountains/
Mt Allen & Sandstone Peak| Malibu
- Trailhead address: 12896 Yerba Buena Road, Malibu, CA 90265
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- Drive: 1.5 Hr, 65 – 75 Miles
- Hike: Moderate/Hard Uphill, 6.5 Miles
- Free Parking
- Notes: Free, 2wd ok, Steep – not recommended for kids
- https://www.hikespeak.com/trails/sandstone-peak/
Valley Day Trip
Cave of Munits via El Escorpion trail| Ventura
- Trailhead address: 24501 West Vanowen Street, West Hills, CA 91307
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- Drive: 1HR, 50-55Miles
- Hike: Easy, 2miles, 1.15HR
- Notes: https://www.hikespeak.com/trails/cave-of-munits-castle-peak-hike/
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Paradise Falls – Thousand Oaks
- Trailhead address: 928 West Avenida De Los Arboles, Wildwood Regional Park, Thousand Oaks, CA 91360
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- Drive: 1HR, 50-55Miles
- Hike: Easy, 4.5 mile s, 2Hrs
- Notes: Go the back-route
- https://modernhiker.com/hike/hike-wildwood-regional-park-paradise-falls-lizard-rock/