

The water is flowing this year and lovely to behold, but note that this is not water clean enough to take a plunge in. Signs along the way make the waterfall easy to find. Paradise Falls counts as one of LA's favorite hidden gems, with a lush waterfall on a hike so short and easy it can be done fairly spontaneously. This secluded waterfall is a perfect place for calm reflection-or rock climbing! Photo by Mommy Poppins 4. RELATED: 12 Hiking Games for Kids That Turn Walks into Adventures Again The trailhead will be on the right side of Vereda De La Montura, approximately 0.2 miles after the turn, before the gate. After 2.4 miles, turn left onto Vereda De La Montura. Travel one-half mile on Sunset Boulevard and turn left on Palisades Drive. To get to the trailhead: From the PCH, turn inland on Sunset Boulevard (approximately one mile north of Will Rogers State Beach). But otherwise, the hike stays pretty flat and manageable for the length of it, with a very slight incline towards the falls, so families can make this a quick, fun outing.

Young or nervous hikers should know that near the waterfall, the canyon walls grow closer, the trail becomes rockier, and those rocks can be slippery. The trail generally runs directly alongside the creek and crosses it a few points. This beginner hike is on a shady trail with lots of tree cover on the path to an 18-foot waterfall. This canyon is occasionally shut down after heavy rains check online for up-to-date info).
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Expect a full (free) parking lot on weekends, so arrive early. The park entrance is on the left, just around the first bend in the road. To get to the trailhead: Take PCH to Malibu and turn inland on Corral Canyon Road (West of Malibu Canyon Road and Pepperdine University at the intersection with the 76 gas station). See more tips for Solstice Canyon in our best hiking trails for families. If you have older kids, you could challenge yourself to include the Rising Sun Trail on the round trip trek but be warned that there are steep drop-offs along this route, and our recommendation is to go clockwise. Take the fire road for the easiest route. The views are good, with spots of shade along the way and plenty of exploration for kids. Winding its way past the ruins of Malibu mansions, the Solstice Canyon trail reaches a waterfall that is not as dramatic as the one at Escondido but is still worth the delightful walk.

RELATED: The Best Tide Pools for Kids to Explore in and Around LA and OC Overflow parking along PCH is free but read the signs carefully. Turn up Winding Way into a parking lot for the trail on the left at the bottom of Winding Way. Winding Way is a minor street 4.5 miles west of Malibu Canyon Road and 1.4 miles east of Kanan Dume Road on the north side of PCH. To get to the trailhead: Take PCH to Winding Way in Malibu. The dramatic upper falls are on private property, and the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority asks that hikers not climb to them to protect the fragile habitat (and not get hurt!). 75 mile of this hike is along a paved road in front of expensive Malibu homes, but the trail turns more rustic once you join the dirt road marked "Edward Albert Escondido Canyon Trail and Waterfall." Be prepared to get your feet wet while crossing streams along the route. Then, take a plunge in the inviting lower falls. Escondido Falls is one of SoCal's most popular and dramatic waterfalls.
