Hiking Switzer Falls in Southern California

If you Google hiking in Southern California, Switzer Falls often makes the top of the list and I can see why! It has been by far one of my favorite hikes in Southern California. It does help I went with 16 golden retrievers! If your animal lover, you can appreciate how stinkin cute it was to go hiking with the dogs. As I’m reading a review online of the falls, and someone posted a review the same day I went complaining that there were too many dogs and that a group of Golden’s took over the falls and got them wet hahahha. I guess if you don’t like dogs, maybe stay away? I mean come on dogs and hiking are pretty much hand in hand….where are they supposed to go in the city? Anyways…

The hike is about an hour from Orange County and does require a national forest pass ($5 from REI) although I did not get one because the government shutdown made it so that no stores were getting shipments!

The hike I would consider moderate. It was about 3 and a half hours round trip and about 4 miles, and I went fairly slow as we had a large group of dogs! The first part of the hike is through creeks and a forest area. It had just rained so the creeks were full of water and the only way to pass was by testing your balance crossing on a log or slippery rocks – or to get your shoes wet. The dogs were off leash during this part of the hike and they LOVED it. If you have a dog, I highly recommend this hike for them.

The second part of the hike reached a large open canyon. The pathway turned narrow with a sharp cliff next to you. I went ahead and leashed my dog at this point in the hike. The trail was fairly shaded up until this point so it was nice to get out in the sun. The canyon wasn’t too strenuous and opted for a nice change of scenery before gradually going back downhill and into another creek that led to the waterfall.

At the end of the trail is the waterfall! The waterfall was gushing of water after the recent rains. I’d be curious if there is much water at all during the summer months. It wasn’t the largest or the most impressive waterfall I’ve seen, but it was still truly a spectacular hike and a great sight to see. The waterfall is surrounded by rocks, the creek, and forestry making it feel secluded and worth the hike to get there. This was the perfect time to eat lunch and take in the view. If you have a dog, they can go swimming in the waterfall!! I think this was my dogs number one hike of all time! Although be warned, the water is chilly!!

I am truly blown away with how beautiful this hike was and by the alluring waterfall. I honestly didn’t think such hikes existed in Southern California. I grew up in Oregon and you could say we are spoiled with the hiking options and the amount of waterfalls! I really enjoy the forest hikes or scenic hikes so Switzer Falls was right up my ally. I can say I am pleasantly surprised that this hike reminded me of home! And to only be an hour away in Angeles forest.

After the waterfall, you return on the same path you came in, so back up the canyon and through the creeks. There really isn’t much uphill to this hike. I would not call it strenuous. That being said it is still 3+ hours on your feet and there are plenty of obstacles such as the rocks, logs, and lack of a pathway. Even the steep cliff was a little nerve racking for me!

To find out how to get there and more of the logistics of planning the hike visit here. I got there at 9am and got one of the last spots in the closest parking lot – and this is January. I imagine you have to go early in the summer! Enjoy!