01
Best overall pick
Portuguese Bend Reserve
Palos Verdes Peninsula Hillside • Coastal Bluff And Canyon Preserve • Best Mix Of Views And Mileage
A web of dirt trails drops from the cliff tops into rolling canyons with huge ocean views toward Catalina.
This is the go-to South Bay hike when you want to feel far from the city without a long drive. Starting above Del Cerro Park, you can stitch together loops that range from mellow strolls along the upper fire roads to steeper descents into the landslide-sculpted canyons below. Go on a clear afternoon for glowing light on the cliffs and stay mindful of the climb back up to your car.
02
Best coastal scenery
Abalone Cove Shoreline Park
Palos Verdes Peninsula Coast • Beachside Bluff And Tide-Pool Park • Best For Oceanfront Exploring
Short but steep trails link blufftop viewpoints with rocky coves, sea caves, and classic Palos Verdes tide pools.
From Lawndale, this is one of the quickest ways to swap traffic for sea spray and coastal bluffs. The main route drops from the parking area down to the shoreline, where you can wander the rocks, check tides for tide-pooling, and watch waves hammer the sea caves. Expect a calf-burning climb on the way back up and bring shoes you don’t mind getting wet and scrambling over rocks in.
03
Best close-to-home escape
Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area
Baldwin Hills / Mid-City • Urban Hillside Park With Mixed-Use Trails • Best For Quick Views And Variety
A compact network of dirt and paved paths winds through chaparral hills with sweeping views of downtown and the Santa Monica Mountains.
When you want a change of scenery without committing to a full coastal drive, Kenneth Hahn is a reliable pick. You can link the hillside trails into a moderate loop that mixes stair climbs, ridge walks, and quiet pockets of native plants around the pond areas. Sunset is especially good here, when the skyline lights up and you can still be back in Lawndale in time for dinner.
04
Classic LA experience
Griffith Park – Mount Hollywood Area
Griffith Park / Los Feliz • Large Urban Park With Rugged Canyon Trails • Best For Skyline And Landmark Views
Canyon trails climb from the city edge to ridgelines with big views of downtown, the Hollywood Sign, and the Griffith Observatory.
It’s a bit of a drive from Lawndale, but Griffith Park delivers the iconic LA hiking experience in return. Routes around Mount Hollywood offer a steady, non-technical climb with constant scenery, from oak-shaded gullies to wide-open ridges. Start early to beat heat and crowds, and use the observatory or Greek Theatre lots as reference points so you don’t get turned around in the park’s maze of junctions.
05
Best half-day outing
Temescal Gateway Park – Temescal Canyon Loop
Pacific Palisades / Santa Monica Mountains • Canyon-And-Ridge Loop In The Coastal Mountains • Best For A Solid Workout With Ocean Breezes
A popular loop climbs from a shady canyon up to a panoramic ridgeline, with ocean and mountain views on clear days.
For a more substantial hike that’s still manageable as a half-day trip from Lawndale, Temescal Canyon hits a sweet spot. The loop starts under sycamores and oaks before switchbacking to open slopes where you can look back over Santa Monica Bay and trace the coastline toward the South Bay. It’s exposed on the upper sections, so pack water, expect a steady climb, and aim for cooler mornings or winter afternoons.