Leave Runyon to the tourists. Instead, take your little trekkers to one of these lesser known trails where the views are still Instagrammable, but the crowds won’t overwhelm you.
LessPart neighborhood secret, part workout circuit, this 58-acre park offers three options to get to the top for some of the most enviable views of Los Angeles you may find. If you and the kids are ready to keep that New Years resolution going, take the 282 stairs straight to the top. Got a stroller? Hit the road—just watch out for bikers, daredevil skateboards and the like careening down. And if those little legs are up for the challenge, take the half-mile hike from the park entrance to the top.
Accessible from both the Valley and the Westside, this little hideaway offers a nice quiet spot to explore. There are five miles of hiking trails, including a nice short .3-mile loop through the shady trees along the canyon basin. For young, hiking newbies you can have even have plenty of fun just traversing the one-mile fire road that loops around the reservoir.
One of LA’s largest green spaces offers so much to do, including plenty of great spots for a family hike with little kids. If you want to get a closer look at the Hollywood sign, check out the Charlie Turner Trailridge. Park at the Observatory and make your way up along Mt Hollywood Hiking Trail where you’ll get views of both the valley and the westside. Pack some snacks for a rest stop at the picnic tables at the top.
This peaceful hike gives you a glimpse of some LA history as you stroll past a waterfall and the remains of the oldest stone structure in the city. A picturesque hike along a shaded trail is a great way to explore, especially during the less busy weekdays with young tots that aren’t quite school-aged yet. The ocean air off of PCH and shaded path make it a perfect spot to hike even on warmer days. The eponymous trail is a fairly easy and flat clocking in at 2.1-miles round trip.
This nature center is surrounded by a rugged mountainside with hiking trails of all levels, including some advanced hikes, but you don’t have to stray far from the center itself to experience wildlife on the trail. There are three small nature trails that are flat and short, one is even designed specifically for young kids. This is a great place for a first hiking experience where you’re guaranteed to see some beautiful sights without having to work too hard.