Temescal Canyon: A Waterfall in Los Angeles

Meander through lush greenery, alongside a babbling brook to a small waterfall, where you can plop down on a rock and watch the crowd of people hiking past. Temescal Canyon is an easy, conveniently located, popular hike. During the winter, the waterfall in the middle of the two mile hike is roaring, but in the summer it dries to a trickle. The two-hour hike also offers some amazing Pacific-gazing.

Getting to the hike is an easy, no-hastle experience. For $7 you can drive right up to the trailhead and park. You leave your cash in a paper envelope, so bring exact change. Or, if you’re cheap like me, you can park down the road on Temescal Canyon for free (we’re there to exercise, after all!) and walk up the hill. Come to a full stop at the stop signs. Apparently Big Brother is taking videos and sending tickets.

Surrounding the parking lot, a wilderness park area provides picnic tables and a few grassy knolls where people occasionally hold reunions, weddings and church services. Several little paths branch out from the parking lot. They’re short without much elevation, perfect for outdoorsy toddlers. Dogs are also allowed on these little paths. I even saw a parrot once. Dogs are not permitted on the main trail, however.

The parking lot also hosts a fairly clean restroom and a little store. I’ve never actually seen the store open so don’t count on buying anything you need for the hike.

There are two ways to approach the trail. On the right is the “easy way” which starts out as a paved road and slowly ascends past a camp and along the winter stream. I often take my children, 3 and 6, this way and turn around at the waterfall. The hike gets them nice and tired, and they can walk the whole way mostly in the shade. During Spring, this part of the trail is especially lush, the brook gushes, and the kids enjoy seeing the wildflowers.

To the left is the “hard way.” You immediately start climbing stairs and keep climbing until you reach a crest. On a clear day, the views of the ocean and the Palisades are stunning. Then, it’s up and down, up and down until you get to the waterfall. There’s not a lot of shade on this portion of the trail, so make sure you bring a hat, sunscreen and water.

This hike does get crazy crowded. So unless you want to spend your time saying “excuse me,” get there early.

Temescal Gateway Park is located at 15601 Sunset Boulevard where Temescal Canyon dead ends into Sunset Boulevard in Pacific Palisades.


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