Get your kids to fall in love with the outdoors by tackling one of the easy hikes listed below. After digging through my website for the most kid-friendly hikes in Los Angeles, I came up with eleven trails that are primarily safe, but also easy and fun, so that you can focus on providing the most unforgettable experiences for your children.

Most of these hikes don’t exceed three miles, have no dangerous ledges, and have a gradual elevation gain. I also let you know which hikes are stroller-friendly, or whether only a part of the trail is stroller-friendly, should you decide to take really small kids.

11) Rose Bowl Loop Around Pasadena’s Iconic Stadium

• Total Miles: 3.08
• Difficulty: Easy
• Elevation Gain: 129 Ft
• Time: 1.5 Hrs
• Dogs: Allowed On A Leash
• Restrooms: Available At The Parking Lot & Lawn
• Stroller Friendly: Yes
• Map, Directions, & Full Post: Rose Bowl Loop

To be completely honest, the Rose Bowl Loop is more of a stroll than a hike, but definitely still worth it. The trail, which is an extension of the paved road and therefore, stroller-friendly, encircles the Rose Bowl Stadium and Brookside Golf Course.

Throughout the walk, I enjoyed nice views of various peaks in the San Gabriel Mountains such as Mt Lowe, Mt Lukens, and Mt Wilson, and the surrounding hills made me feel like I was in a mountain town.

The trail is virtually flat, yet another reason why it’s a great hike for kids.

Fun Fact: You can order takeout from the Brookside Restaurant and pick it up near the end of the stroll.

10) Sycamore Canyon Trail: Outdoor Oasis In Whittier

• Total Miles: 3.3
• Difficulty: Easy
• Elevation Gain: 370 Ft
• Time: 1.5 Hrs
• Dogs: Not Allowed
• Restrooms: Available At The Parking Lot
• Stroller Friendly: No
• Map, Directions, & Full Post: Sycamore Canyon Trail

Located in the Puente Hills Habitat Preservation, Sycamore Canyon trail is a nature oasis in the middle of a concrete jungle.

The hike begins on a dry and sunny dirt road but later transitions into a shady dirt trail with abundant vegetation.

If you keep an eye out, you might see bats flying around in the evening or early morning, as manmade bat homes were built for them near the trail.

Fun Fact: There’s a wooden swing in a very shaded section of the trail, and a creek running next to it that I know children will absolutely enjoy.

9) Big Dalton Canyon Trail: Scenic Trail In Glendora

• Total Miles: 2
• Difficulty: Easy
• Elevation Gain: 286 Ft
• Time: 1 Hr
• Dogs: Allowed On A Leash
• Restrooms: Available On The Trail
• Stroller Friendly: No
• Map, Directions, & Full Post: Big Dalton Canyon Trail

Big Dalton Canyon is a true gem in the foothills of the Angeles Forest. The trail features a flowing creek, wooden bridges, a campground with an amphitheater and fire pit, and a Coast Live Oak grove with a wooden swing that looks like something taken out of a movie.

The trail is virtually flat and lacks dangerous ledges. The only thing to look out for is poison oak, but the last time I visited there was none on the trail.

Additionally, most people seem to head back from the nature center as the trail gets quite overgrown from that point forward. Fortunately, the nature center, which has been permanently closed, is located toward the end of the hike, and you’ll only be missing out on the small waterfall.

8) Monrovia Falls (Temporarily Closed)

• Total Miles: 2
• Difficulty: Easy
• Best Season: Spring
• Elevation Gain: 439 Ft
• Time: 1 Hr
• Dogs: Allowed On A Leash
• Restrooms: Available At The Parking Lot
• Stroller Friendly: No

Monrovia Canyon Falls is the most child-friendly hike in the Angeles Forest. It’s short with a low elevation gain, the interpretive trail is well-kept and features a nature center that used to host canyon tours for children before closing down in 2020 due to the Bobcat Fire.

At 30 feet high, the two-tiered waterfall is relatively small, but still a sight to see. The canyon is teeming with life from both plants and animals, and much of the trail is shaded.

Fortunately, Monrovia Canyon Park will open up once it’s deemed safe enough for the public.

Fun Fact: I requested the park ranger form from Monrovia Cn Park back in 2017 but had my friend not offered me a job, I probably would have been a ranger right now.

7) Paramount Ranch: Ghost Town Movie Set

• Total Miles: 2.53
• Difficulty: Easy
• Elevation Gain: 272 Ft
• Time: 1-1.5 Hrs
• Dogs: Allowed On A Leash
• Restrooms: Available At The Parking Lot
• Stroller Friendly: Somewhat (Explained Below)
• Map, Directions, & Full Post: Paramount Ranch

Paramount Ranch is a studio set in the Santa Monica Mts that, before the Woolsey Fire of 2018, comprised an entire western town. Unfortunately, the fire reduced the ranch to the church and train station. However, it’s still worth a visit!

The loop begins near the train station building and loops around the nearby sunny hills. Although the loop isn’t stroller-friendly, the area where the structures are located definitely is, assuming you’re using an all-terrain stroller.

There are multiple trails splitting off in all directions. Hence, you can reduce or extend the loop’s total distance depending on your kids’ capabilities.

Make sure to take plenty of water and sunscreen as there is no shade on this trail and it can get extremely hot during the summer.

Fun Fact: American Sniper was filmed here!

6) Eaton Canyon Falls: LA County’s Most Popular Falls

• Total Miles: 4.02
• Difficulty: Easy
• Best Season: Spring
• Elevation Gain: 455 Ft
• Time: 2.5 Hrs
• Dogs: Allowed On A Leash
• Restrooms: Available At The Trailhead
• Stroller Friendly: No
• Map, Directions, & Full Post: Eaton Canyon Falls

Ranked as the most popular waterfall in Southern California, Eaton Canyon Falls is a must-do for all children.

The hike begins on a dirt road that runs through the wash but transitions into a dirt trail at the mouth of the canyon. Although the trail is not steep, creek crossings may prove a bit difficult for really small children.

Remember, timing is everything when it comes to waterfalls. The 50-foot Eaton Falls roars the loudest in the late spring after the winter snow has melted, and tends to be no more than a trickle late by late summer.

Although sycamore trees and white alders adorn the sides of the creek, much of the hike is exposed to the sun, so take plenty of water and a hat.

5) Old LA Zoo: Relics From LA’s Past

• Total Miles: 2.63
• Difficulty: Easy
• Elevation Gain: 374 Ft
• Time: 1-1.5 Hrs
• Dogs: Allowed On A Leash
• Restrooms: Available At The Merry Go Round
• Stroller Friendly: Somewhat (Explained Below)
• Map, Directions, & Full Post: Old LA Zoo

The Old LA Zoo is an awesome piece of the city’s history that your kids will absolutely love. The trail begins at the park near a Merry Go Round and ascends into the sunny hills where I was able to clearly see the Angeles and San Bernardino National Forests.

Although the zoo was closed down in the 60’s, the inside of many of the structures can still be safely explored. Cages for monkeys and birds and structures that once housed lions and bears can still be seen at the park.

The trail is not stroller-friendly. However, there is a parking lot in Spring Canyon that allows parents with strollers to access the structures within a couple minutes’ walk. Therefore, if you prefer not to hike, you can simply park right here.

4) Santa Fe Dam Recreational Area

• Total Miles: 3.7
• Difficulty: Easy
• Elevation Gain: 75 Ft
• Time: 1.5 – 2 Hrs
• Dogs: Allowed On A Leash
• Restrooms: Available Throughout The Park
• Stroller Friendly: Yes
• Map, Directions, & Full Post: Santa Fe Dam 

I grew up going to Santa Fe Dam every summer to swim in the lake. Although it got pretty gross over the recent years, it was cleaned up as of December 2021 when I last visited. I saw zero trash, and no homeless visiting or living at the park.

I was star-struck, as the park looked just like I remembered it when I was a kid.

The trail looped around the lake, and the views of the San Gabriel Mountains were amazing, to say the least. During the summer, part of the lake is open for swimming, as is a water park for kids.

The park has a relatively large sandy beach with a playground (one of many throughout the park), a rental store for bikes, boats, kayaks, and quadracycles, designating fishing areas, a pier, a weightless gym area, and an amphitheater.

Much of the park is shaded by large pine trees, and grills are provided for each picnic area. A large paved sidewalk cut throughout most of the park.

3) Sturtevant Falls (Temporarily Closed)

• Total Miles: 3.3
• Difficulty: Easy – Moderate
• Elevation Gain: 400 Ft
• Time: 1 Hr 45 Min
• Dogs: Allowed On A Leash
• Stroller Friendly: No
• Restrooms: Available At The Parking Lot

Unfortunately, Sturtevant Falls has also been closed due to the Bobcat Fire. However, I’ll be updating this post as soon as it’s open You can sign up and create an account to stay updated with important mountain news.

This hike may be the most scenic waterfall hike in all of Southern California. The trail began on a paved road but transformed into a mountain paradise as soon as I descended onto the canyon floor.

Private cabins on both sides of the creek, white alders, large ponds, green ivy, and large sycamores that shaded the trail all contributed to the trail’s beauty, and the waterfall didn’t disappoint either.

The creek flowed off of a fifty-foot ledge in a narrow section of the white granite canyon, and the dark green moss behind the cascade contrasted nicely with the cliff walls.

Keep in mind the paved road at the beginning of the hike is somewhat steep, and although it’s all good and dandy during the descent, it can be quite challenging for very small children on the way back.

2) Vanalden Cave: Secrets Of The Santa Monica Mts

• Total Miles: 2.65
• Difficulty: Easy
• Elevation Gain: 510 Ft
• Time: 1-1.5 Hrs
• Dogs: Allowed On A Leash
• Restrooms: Available At The Parking Lot
• Stroller Friendly: No
• Map, Directions, & Full Post: Vanalden Cave  

This is such a cool hike simply because of the rarity of caves in LA County.

Most of the trail consisted of a dirt road with amazing views of the Angeles and San Bernardino National Forests, but towards the end, I hopped on a dirt trail that split off the right side of the road.

The trail took me down to the canyon floor where I very shortly arrived at the 25-foot cave hidden underneath the forest canopy.

This rare sandstone formation only goes in about fifty feet, but I clearly remember the temperature being significantly warmer inside and thinking how amazing it would be to have a campfire there (campfires are illegal so please don’t try it).

A short trail that begins next to the cave takes you to the ceiling, but make sure the kids don’t fall in through one of the holes.

1) Millard Canyon Falls: Altadena’s Gem

• Total Miles: 1.3
• Difficulty: Easy
• Best Season: Spring
• Elevation Gain: 308 Ft
• Time: 45 Min
• Dogs: Allowed On A Leash
• Restrooms: Available At The Campground
• Stroller Friendly: No
• Map, Directions, & Full Post: Millard Canyon Falls

Millard Canyon Falls is more than ideal for kids. It’s easy, short, safe, and of course, very scenic.

The narrow canyon has always been teeming with animal and plant life, and during the spring and early summer, the place looks like a wild garden.

The fifty-foot cascade probably has the whitest granite walls out of all the waterfalls I’ve ever been to, adding to its uniqueness. It blows my mind that a place like this exists so close to the city.

Aside from a few creek crossings, which are small and shallow, and the four-foot ledge I had to climb at the beginning of the trail, there are no other obstacles or ledges. The only thing you may want to keep an eye out for is poison oak, which is sometimes located right off the trail.

This trail is a must-do and was not closed because of the Bobcat Fire, so get out there and enjoy the outdoors.