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This trail is easy with just a slight up hill climb through a neighborhood before actually hitting the trail. It is heavily populated...felt like I was walking down the board walk. I like to feel like I'm lost when I go hiking, you won't get that feeling here there's people all over this trail. 2 miles in and I get to the bottom of the falls which had a stream of water coming down from it. The climb to the top is difficult and looks like it can be a real nasty fall on some sharp rocks and silky soft dirt, you would need your hands to help yourself climb it- challenge for sure but worth it only if the waterfall at the top actually has water coming out of it. I"m assuming after a rainfall would be the best time to come here. Worth checking out.....but I"m not rushing back to it.

The Escondido Falls hike is an ideal alternative for anyone in the LA area looking for a little fun outside of the city’s thriving beach, bar, and restaurant scene. Located right off of PCH in the heart of Malibu, the Escondido Falls hike provides LA visitors and residents an opportunity to escape the sometimes exhausting atmosphere of this fast-paced city without at all having to travel very far. In terms of difficulty, this hike is not overly strenuous in any way, and is in fact ideal for those who may not consider themselves to be avid hikers. That is not to say, though, that you will not get somewhat of a workout in, the trail inclining the majority of the way up to the falls. But this ultimately should pose no serious problem, and any hard work that you will do during the course of the hike will be more than rewarded by the falls that await you along the way and, of course, the beautiful views of the Malibu coast. Socially, it is a very welcoming area. Do not be surprised if you find yourself repeatedly pausing to have a friendly conversation with some of the many hikers you will meet along the way. This, of course, will only positively add to your Escondido experience, along with substantially increasing the amount of time you spend doing the actual hike so plan accordingly (plan for around two hours of being on the trail). A word of caution though: do be mindful of the trail. While it is a straightforward and relatively easy hike, myself and another person I did this hike with managed to wander off the trail unintentionally a few times. In all honesty, this is likely due to the fact that we may have let a little arrogance get in the way of giving the trail our full attention (we are both avid hikers), but it is always better to be a little on the safe side. That being said, this hike is definitely worth the trip to Malibu and will surely please anyone looking for a little daytime LA fun outside of the busy downtown area.

This is a great spot to take a date to. It is really close to the beach, so after checking out the trail, you can head to the beach. This trail is fairly easy to do. It is a great spot to hike with your friends while having interesting conversations. It is very easy and if you are a beginning hiker, you will love this trail. Bring some food, because at the end of the trail you can sit down and enjoy the view while you grab a quick bite. The trail is fairly shady so you will not get too exhausted from the sun. The only downside is that you have to park and walk to the start of the trail. You can rent out horses and complete the trails on horseback.

Escondido Falls is a beautiful getaway from the LA City Scene. This escape is perfect for any novice hiker if you're looking for a different part of experience of LA. The trail itself is a little north of Santa Monica Pier on PCH. The hike itself is filled with great wildlife scenery with two rewarding and breathtaking waterfalls at the end of the hike as well as a beautiful view of the Pacific Ocean. Bring a sandwich or something to eat when you hit the final waterfall. There’s a great place to sit in a tree ledge and enjoy your prize. You can even hike and stand behind the waterfall. Overall, it’s a wonderful day trip with friends for fun or easy exercise. Best time to go is a week after rain for a perfect waterfall. Bring some water, snacks, camera, shoes and your closest friends!

Escondido Falls is my favorite hike in Los Angeles. It’s a hike for all levels and has a great reward at the end- waterfalls! Take a friend, a dog, or go solo and you will not be disappointed. It can be hard to find off PCH but look up directions on http://www.lamountains.com/parks.asp?parkid=12 and you should be able to get there easily. My favorite thing to do after is to reverse that calorie burning and eat lunch at Neptune’s Net. Try the fish and chips and people watch the surfers and old bikers for entertainment.

Fun and beautiful hike, with a great reward at the top. The waterfalls at the end of the hike are so pretty and such a natural treasure not far from urban and residential areas of Los Angeles. The hike isn't very difficult except for a few steep parts and big rocks that you have to climb over. You definitely don't have to be an experienced hiker to make it to the falls, but you should be ready for a challenge in some areas. Be sure to wear appropriate shoes (closed toed tennis shoes with a decent amount of grip on the soles)! It only takes a couple hours at a leisurely pace, but be sure to start early enough that it won't be dark when you walk down.

Overall, this hike was quite easy. Getting to the second waterfall (there are two, but when I went-February-they were merely trickling, so don't expect gushing falls) is a little more difficult and involves a few short but steep inclines. However, as a whole, not a difficult hike: there was a young girl probably about age 8 who had no trouble with it. No ocean views, unfortunately, but nice views of the canyon and very lush surroundings. The second waterfall is better than the first one: there is a small pool of water and the entire wall is covered in moss. Only takes about an hour and a half to two hours to do the whole hike. If you can't find space in the parking lot, park across the street.

My Advice/ My Take: Located in the heart of Malibu, if you are looking for a decent workout with spectacular views of the ocean, than Escondido Falls is the hike for you. It’s a little over a four-mile round trip trek that takes you to the base of a spectacular 150-foot waterfall. The hike starts out on pavement along Winding Way. Then you will reach an obvious trail that crisscrosses through Escondido Canyon. For about a mile and a half you will see a lot of lush landscape and shady oak trees will cover the path. Once you approach the base of the 150-foot falls you will come to a shallow pool and you will see the moss covered wall of the lower falls which are 50-feet high. Need to Know/Tip/Insider Info: To get to the upper falls, you can take a trail to the right of the lower falls that leads you to the top of a small gully. There you will go left and follow the streams to the base of the upper falls. This is a spectacular site! *However, you will need to do a bit of “rock climbing.” There is a rope provided for you to help pull yourself up, but be careful! Who’s Hanging Here/ What’s the Vibe: There will be a diverse mix of people hiking here. Teenagers, hikers, couples, families, dogs… you name it! Cocktails & Cuisine: No cocktails or cuisine here… But there are plenty of spots for you to stop and have a picnic! What to Wear: This hike can get quite messy. Hiking clothes and boots are definitely recommended. You will probably get muddy. What Does it Cost: Besides gas money (this hike is located in Malibu) it is free! When to Go: Anytime during the day and year is great. However, in the summer time remember to bring lots of water if you are going to be hiking mid-day.