01
Classic canyon hike
Sturtevant Falls via Chantry Flat
Chantry Flat Above Arcadia • Shaded Creek And Waterfall Trail • Go-To Weekend Outing For Most Locals
A gently climbing canyon walk along Santa Anita Creek that finishes at a photogenic, mossy waterfall.
From the Chantry Flat parking lot, you drop down a paved road into the canyon and then follow a well-trodden dirt path past historic cabins to Sturtevant Falls. The grade is mild for most of the way, but the climb back to the lot can feel stiff on hot afternoons. Go early on weekends for easier parking and cooler temperatures, and expect to share the trail with plenty of other hikers and a few leashed dogs.
02
Most popular waterfall
Eaton Canyon Falls
Foothills Between Pasadena And Altadena • Busy Urban-Edge Canyon Hike • Best Low-Stress Intro To Local Trails
A straightforward out-and-back along a wide wash and then a rocky creek bed to a narrow, ferny waterfall grotto.
Eaton Canyon starts flat and exposed from the nature center before tucking into a narrower creek corridor with multiple shallow crossings. It is a favorite for new hikers and visitors because the navigation is simple and the payoff at the falls feels far from the city despite the short drive. Check for seasonal closures or storm damage, and bring shoes you do not mind getting wet when the water is running high.
03
Best for families
Monrovia Canyon Falls Trail
Monrovia Canyon Park Northeast Of Arcadia • Forest Park Walk To A Compact Waterfall • Gentle Option For Mixed-Ability Groups
A well-graded path under oaks and bays that follows a cool creek to a small but lively cascade.
Inside Monrovia Canyon Park, the falls trail feels surprisingly woodsy, with shaded switchbacks and regular benches for breaks. The distance and elevation gain are manageable for kids and casual walkers, and the trail surface is more groomed than most routes in the nearby national forest. There is a park entry fee and controlled parking, but in return you get restrooms, picnic areas, and a more contained, family-oriented atmosphere.
04
Shadier loop option
Winter Creek Loop from Chantry Flat
Upper Santa Anita Canyon • Moderate Loop Through Oak And Pine Forest • Favorite Conditioning Hike For Regulars
A varied loop that mixes creekside stretches, historic campgrounds, and longer climbs with pockets of real quiet away from the crowds.
Starting from the same Chantry Flat area as Sturtevant Falls, the Winter Creek Loop quickly peels away into a more peaceful drainage with long, shaded traverses. You pass by places like Hoegees Camp and gain enough elevation to feel like you have left the foothills behind without committing to a full summit day. The loop can be done in either direction; stronger hikers often tackle it clockwise for a steeper, more efficient climb.
05
Big summit day
Mount Wilson via Chantry Flat
High San Gabriel Ridgeline Above Arcadia • Long Mountain Route With Observatory Finish • Best All-Day Challenge Near Town
A demanding climb that strings together steep canyon trails and ridge sections to reach Mount Wilson’s historic observatory complex.
This route uses the Sturtevant Trail network to gain nearly a vertical mile from Chantry Flat to the top of Mount Wilson, making it a favorite training hike for bigger Sierra or Grand Canyon trips. Along the way you pass cool, ferny stretches of Santa Anita Canyon before working up into sparse pines and wide views toward the Los Angeles Basin. Plan for an early start, plenty of water, and a full day on your feet, but the sense of accomplishment and the high-elevation air at the summit are hard to beat.