Even if you think you’ve explored all of Southern California, this hidden gem will make you realize just how many pockets of paradise are yet to be discovered. If you love waterfalls and picturesque trails then get ready to be delighted. Lace up your hiking boots and hit the road – this is one trail you won’t want to miss; if you arrived here after looking up something like waterfalls near me or amazing waterfall hikes in Southern California, your search is over!

Lewis Falls is tucked inside the Angeles National Forest and can be reached by hiking a short and sweet one-mile trail.

alltrails/guillermo rosales To reach the trail you’ll want to head to Soldier Creek in the town of Azusa, CA. The trailhead can be found at San Gabriel Canyon Road/Highway 39.  

The hike isn’t a long one, but it can be challenging to navigate due to the unsteady terrain so plan accordingly before you head out on the trail.

alltrails/shari campanaro Laced-up shoes and plenty of water are always recommended on any hiking trail in SoCal.

Although the trail is rated as moderately difficult, it’s still easy enough for young kids to enjoy so consider bringing along the whole family.

alltrails/elicia roberts

It’s also a great hike to take on a hot day as there is plenty of shade and tree coverage to help you stay nice and cool.

All Trails/Tyler Chapleau There’s nothing like a forest to provide protection from the hot SoCal sun.

Nature and beauty can be spotted all around you on the trail. Make sure to stop and enjoy the many surprises that await you.

alltrails/maritza solis From butterflies to birds to all sorts of natural scenery, this short trail is a magnificent one.

But perhaps the best surprise of all is encountering this stunning 50-foot waterfall. It’s not often you see a waterfall flowing as rapidly as this one.

googlemaps/vlad wasjutin

Now that’s perfection! No matter what season you hike the trail, you’ll be inspired by this stunning beauty that’s right in your backyard.

alltrails/elicia roberts

Do you love this waterfall trail as much as we do? What a refreshing way to spend an afternoon in SoCal. It’s a quick hike with a wonderful payoff.

alltrails/guillermo rosales

To reach the trail you’ll want to head to Soldier Creek in the town of Azusa, CA. The trailhead can be found at San Gabriel Canyon Road/Highway 39.  

alltrails/shari campanaro

Laced-up shoes and plenty of water are always recommended on any hiking trail in SoCal.

alltrails/elicia roberts

All Trails/Tyler Chapleau

There’s nothing like a forest to provide protection from the hot SoCal sun.

alltrails/maritza solis

From butterflies to birds to all sorts of natural scenery, this short trail is a magnificent one.

googlemaps/vlad wasjutin

Looking for more ways to enjoy SoCal’s best outdoor spots? We think you’ll also enjoy checking out this awesome SoCal bucket list for nature lovers. So many wonderful ideas!

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.

Address: Encinitas, CA, USA

The OIYS Visitor Center

Waterfalls Near Me March 15, 2022 Tori Jane What are the best waterfall hikes in Southern California?   Lovers of waterfalls and hiking will be lovers of Southern California by the time they’ve explored some of its most amazing waterfall hikes! There are lots to choose from (see the next point!), but some do tend to stick out to us as particularly amazing for some reason or another. Eaton Canyon Falls, for example, near Pasadena is an amazing waterfall with a scenic hike attached to it; it’s an easy hike, though it is about four miles round-trip, so make sure you’re able to hike it. Seekers of family-friendly waterfall hikes in Southern California will love the hike to Millard Falls, which is less than two miles long round-trip and leads to one of our most amazing waterfalls (we love major payoffs with less work!). If you prefer a challenge, you’ll want to check out the hike to Trail Canyon Falls, which is six miles long and difficult but very much worth the effort. Want more ideas? Check this article out to learn more about these waterfalls and others.  What are some easy-access waterfalls in Southern California?   Interested in amazing waterfalls but not a huge fan of a long, exhausting hike to reach them? No worries – we have you covered! There are plenty of waterfalls that are, as it turns out, pretty easy to get to – you just need to know where to look. Escondido Falls is probably the most extravagant example; it’s remarkably beautiful and requires a short and sweet hike under two miles in length. It’s a maximum reward for minimum effort! Hit Bonita Fall Trail for a one-and-a-half-mile long, breathtaking trek that leads to one of our most amazing waterfalls (though you’ll want to wear good shoes for that one that you don’t mind getting wet). Another must-do is Eaton Canyon Falls, which is accessible by an easy two-mile hike, and, should you visit during the middle of the week, you might just have it entirely to yourself.  

The OIYS Visitor Center

Waterfalls Near Me

March 15, 2022

Tori Jane

What are the best waterfall hikes in Southern California?   Lovers of waterfalls and hiking will be lovers of Southern California by the time they’ve explored some of its most amazing waterfall hikes! There are lots to choose from (see the next point!), but some do tend to stick out to us as particularly amazing for some reason or another. Eaton Canyon Falls, for example, near Pasadena is an amazing waterfall with a scenic hike attached to it; it’s an easy hike, though it is about four miles round-trip, so make sure you’re able to hike it. Seekers of family-friendly waterfall hikes in Southern California will love the hike to Millard Falls, which is less than two miles long round-trip and leads to one of our most amazing waterfalls (we love major payoffs with less work!). If you prefer a challenge, you’ll want to check out the hike to Trail Canyon Falls, which is six miles long and difficult but very much worth the effort. Want more ideas? Check this article out to learn more about these waterfalls and others.  What are some easy-access waterfalls in Southern California?   Interested in amazing waterfalls but not a huge fan of a long, exhausting hike to reach them? No worries – we have you covered! There are plenty of waterfalls that are, as it turns out, pretty easy to get to – you just need to know where to look. Escondido Falls is probably the most extravagant example; it’s remarkably beautiful and requires a short and sweet hike under two miles in length. It’s a maximum reward for minimum effort! Hit Bonita Fall Trail for a one-and-a-half-mile long, breathtaking trek that leads to one of our most amazing waterfalls (though you’ll want to wear good shoes for that one that you don’t mind getting wet). Another must-do is Eaton Canyon Falls, which is accessible by an easy two-mile hike, and, should you visit during the middle of the week, you might just have it entirely to yourself.  

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

Lovers of waterfalls and hiking will be lovers of Southern California by the time they’ve explored some of its most amazing waterfall hikes! There are lots to choose from (see the next point!), but some do tend to stick out to us as particularly amazing for some reason or another. Eaton Canyon Falls, for example, near Pasadena is an amazing waterfall with a scenic hike attached to it; it’s an easy hike, though it is about four miles round-trip, so make sure you’re able to hike it. Seekers of family-friendly waterfall hikes in Southern California will love the hike to Millard Falls, which is less than two miles long round-trip and leads to one of our most amazing waterfalls (we love major payoffs with less work!). If you prefer a challenge, you’ll want to check out the hike to Trail Canyon Falls, which is six miles long and difficult but very much worth the effort. Want more ideas? Check this article out to learn more about these waterfalls and others. 

What are some easy-access waterfalls in Southern California?  

Interested in amazing waterfalls but not a huge fan of a long, exhausting hike to reach them? No worries – we have you covered! There are plenty of waterfalls that are, as it turns out, pretty easy to get to – you just need to know where to look. Escondido Falls is probably the most extravagant example; it’s remarkably beautiful and requires a short and sweet hike under two miles in length. It’s a maximum reward for minimum effort! Hit Bonita Fall Trail for a one-and-a-half-mile long, breathtaking trek that leads to one of our most amazing waterfalls (though you’ll want to wear good shoes for that one that you don’t mind getting wet). Another must-do is Eaton Canyon Falls, which is accessible by an easy two-mile hike, and, should you visit during the middle of the week, you might just have it entirely to yourself.