Malibu Perfection: Discover the Perfect Waterfall Hike Near Los Angeles
Malibu Perfection: Discover the Perfect Waterfall Hike Near Los Angeles
It rarely rains in Los Angeles. Heck, when it says 50% chance of rain, I am willing to bet it won’t rain! However, this all changing as LA has now received more rain than Seattle, year-to-date (yes, we are scared!). BUT, too much rain does main the flora greener. And it produces the most rare Southern Californian natural wonder ever…. waterfalls!!!
Bear with me, when I first moved to Los Angeles (oh way back in the day), I did the Temescal Hike and got to the “waterfall” which turned out to be a tiny trickle of water, barely perceptable to the naked eye! I was like, why do people here call this a waterfall? Now that I’ve acclimated to the dry climate, I understand. It’s rare to have a natural body of water, much less even a trickle in this desert like climate. But this year, we are special!
So on my special day-off, my significant other and I treked to Malibu and enjoy the most rare Southern California waterfall hike Escondido Falls Trail - in hopes of seeing the hugest, most gushing waterfall!! I knew it was only a matter of time before the summer heat dried up the landscape, and the waterfall decreased to a trickle. So I wanted to get there asap!
Little did we know what was in store for us.
Watery goodness coming your way on the Escondido Falls Trail hike!
Parking
First, we got there around 10 AM on a workday and the parking lot was (surprise-surprise) already full! It was a small, paid parking lot that fit about 10 cars. On this particular work day, there was plenty of street parking off the PCH. You just have to brave the traffic to jaywalk across the street to return to the start of the trail.
For facilities, they were limited to at least 2 Portapotties , a few trash cans and a map in the parking lot. So if you like flushing toilets, go ahead of time!
$12 to park in the official parking lot
Limited parking available in the official parking lot
Walking to the trailhead
The initial 3/4 mile of the hike is along a residential road, so you get to drool at all the hillside homes that look like Italian villas! I personally love pretending I am a millionaire and live there, so have no problem walking along their narrow street. It’s slightly uphill. The overall hike has an elevation gain of just shy of 500 ft, so once you start on the trail, it’s relatively flat (as far as hikes go).
I actually did not know where to start, but kept going. I saw one trailhead but you keep walking until the street literally ends upon the Escondido Trailhead sign (you cannot miss it).
After walking through residential streets, it’s the official trailhead!
Once you find the trailhead, you walk towards the lovely mountains! It’s a well marked trail, that goes into a valley between the mountains. For Los Angeles, it’s fairly shaded with trees and flora surrounding you as you walk deeper into the mountains!
The start of the hike, walk straight towards this mountain
Get Ready for….River Crossings!
Darlings, yes. We had to cross 5 streams (rivers?!?) to get to the pièce de résistance waterfall. This means, plan for your shoes, socks, and feet to get wet (especially if it’s wet season!).
One of the five wet stream crossings. These tree stumps are wet and slippery so be careful or have an official spotter to hold your hand!
Perhaps I’m very prissy and not expecting this, but I was shook when I got to the first river crossing. I was like, perhaps we just cross one. I had hope I would remain dry. Don’t judge me for liking dry feet, socks and shoes! Once it’s touched the forbidden water, it’s like OVER. We meandered further and came upon yet another river crossing (the second one was bigger!). It’s at this time, where I figured I was in over my head and having serious thoughts about this hike! If I had known my feet would get wet, I would have brought a change of shoes and socks! I would have worn shorts. I would have done so many things differently. But, being as I am, we had committed to this hike with zero research - so I am warning slash informing you well in advance - if it’s been a rainy season then your feet will get wet!
Some of the river crossings had logs and branches, but it was quite slippery. So it would be quite a feet to do the entire hike and not accidentally step into the stream and get wet.
Top are his wet shoes and bottom are my dry shoes!
I was able to keep my feet dry because I had a secret weapon… my significant other! He held my hand at every river crossing, as I hopped from branch to branch. Thus, I did not lose my balance and my feet remained relatively dry! Yes, this is a unique service he offered, where his feet stayed wet and mine stayed dry. If you go in a group, person one of you can take on for the team and be the office handholder of the group!! I have no shame and no regrets!
That being said, I saw many people hiking on Converse sneakers, and people who ran the trail. They were very aware of the multiple stream crossings and seemed to enjoy the cold rushing water!! So if you are one of those people who love to jump in, by all means this is the hike to do it on!!! And please do tell me how it is, and if I was missing out LOL.
Another stream crossing! This one was narrow-er than the other ones
The widest of the stream crossing; not very deep though during wet season
The Gushing Waterfall!
Yes, I am here for the rushing, misting, overwhelming loud waterfall of Malibu! When I saw it from a distance, I started running - I was so excited! We then pulled out our sandwiches, sat on a rock, and proceeded to eat our sandwiches in peace next to this beautifully rare natural wonder!
A whole family took a dip in the cool waters of this waterfall
The mist made all our clothes and backpacks wet. We had to yell at each other to be heard above the loud rush of the water. The mountain water was cold, and on this overcast day, I was not going swimming LOL.
However, many a children, families and people were swimming! The rocks were sharp and slippery, so be careful. I recommend towels and swim shoes should you want to go take a dip.
Sat and ate lunch on that rock there! Front row seats, baby!
AND, above this waterfall, was a steeper hike. A smaller segment of people hiked above the waterfall to see the waterfall above the waterfall! This was very steep, and I saw many people practically fall, roll, and uncontrollable “run” down as there was a bit of erosion and mud making it difficult to slow your downward trajectory. Thus, I caution you to be careful. I, however, have gone above the initial waterfall. I think it can be done if you are very careful, methodical and have someone to help you (teamwork) on the way down. Everyone who went did not regret it.
I stayed at the first, and most gigantic waterfall and had no regrets :)
Lunch + waterfall views = fabulous
Feeling the mist from the waterfall here
I am obsessed with this waterfall
Out and Back Trail
It’s an out-and-back trail; clocking in at 3.5 miles total. Meaning just under 2 miles to get to the waterfall. I saw several people jogging the trail, they said they ran it daily and it took 30-40 minutes total . So the entire trail and be done fairly quickly.
Apparently, you can hike your way to the beach! I did not do this hike; however, I took this below handy photo for you, so you can find you way :)
Map of Escondido Falls Trail and alternative walk to the beach
We took our sweet time enjoying the water features, taking photos, and sitting and eating beside the waterfall - so it took us 2-3 hours to complete the hike. I have no doubt I could do it in under 2 hours if we are really hustling. Hey, who wants to rush on such a beautiful, leisurely day - right?
Since it’s such a short hike, it leaves plenty of time in the rest of the day to do other things like grab lunch, walk along the beach, go do some Malibu shopping!
Do I recommend this hike?
Yes! Especially if it’s been a rainy season, and if you like stream and river crossings. I have done this hike in dryer times, and it was less impressive. It was still peaceful, and lovely being out in nature, but there’s something about having this gushing waterfall and mist hitting your skin that makes you believe you’re in paradise. I could close my eyes and pretend I was in Hawaii!! That’s what makes this waterfall close to my heart. How rare it is to stand next to a powerful body of water, and in the very dry climate of SoCal!
If you go, you’ve been warned that the waterfall might have dried up, and perhaps the rivers have turned to streams and turned to a small puddle. That’s okay though, because we cannot control nature. I strive to enjoy it in all its form!
About Linhda
Linhda thrives on being a tourist in her own city, generously sharing over 10 years of Los Angeles knowledge with fellow enthusiasts!
An enthusiastic bike-to-work cyclist, also known as a commuter, Linhda has recently embraced the world of roller skating. If you have any questions about LA, drop her a line, or simply say HELLO! Meeting new people brings her immense joy. Cheers! linhdy@outlook.com
