Vasquez Rocks: Where Nature and Hollywood Collide on the Hiking Trails

Vasquez Rocks is a hidden gem located just outside Los Angeles with distinctive rock formations and scenic landscapes. Over the years it’s been a versatile filming location, featured in iconic productions such as Star Trek, The Flintstones, Blazing Saddles, and Westworld, adding unique and visually captivating settings to these movies and TV shows. In this blog post, I’ll give you the info you need to hike the Vasquez Rocks 2.7 mile loop trail.

California, Los Angeles, Vasquez RocksChrissi HernandezMay 19, 2023day trip from L.A., los angeles hiking, vasquez rocks, unique hikes in los angeles, hikingComment

Hike Eaton Canyon Falls Trail

On a hunt for waterfalls in Los Angeles County? The hike through Eaton Canyon in the springtime is filled with vibrant yellow and purple flowers, mossy rocks, and lush rolling hills. This is located in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains near Pasadena, California.

California, Angeles National Forest, Los AngelesChrissi HernandezMay 17, 2023hikes near pasadena, la waterfall hikes, hikingComment

Hike to Trail Canyon Falls in Angeles National Forest

The hike to Trail Canyon Falls in the Angeles National Forest is a moderately challenging 4-4.5-miles round trip trek that leads you through beautiful scenery, including a creek, a lush forest, to a stunning 30-foot waterfall.

California, Angeles National Forest, Los AngelesChrissi HernandezMarch 6, 2023Comment

Discover the Lively Mexican Culture of Olvera Street in Downtown L.A.

Olvera Street is in oldest part of downtown Los Angeles, where a vibrant Mexican American culture thrives. Colorful folk art and handicrafts line the streets, while outdoor vendors peddle huaraches, handbags and maracas. The smell of fresh tortillas fills the air, while sipping sweet aqua frescas as the Southern California sun beats down on your shoulders. Historical Buildings tell the story of a prominent city being born, and just beyond, shiny new skyscrapers are the wet ink of new chapters.

California, Los AngelesChrissi HernandezJanuary 26, 2022El Pueblo, Olvera Street, Los Angeles Plaza Historic District, downtown los angeles, things to do in downtown los angeles, pico house, The PlazaComment

Visit L.A.'s Historic Union Station

California, Los AngelesChrissi HernandezSeptember 2, 2021union station, los angeles, california, art deco buildings in los angeles, historic los angeles buildings, things to see in L.A., train station los angeles, things to do in downtown los angeles, downtown los angeles, California Art & ArchitectureComment

Experience High Tea at Huntington Gardens among the Roses

The Huntington's Rose Garden High Tea is nestled in the middle of 120 acres of diverse plant life in the Los Angeles suburb, Pasadena. The smell of aromatic tea and freshly baked scones fills the air as you nibble on delicate finger sandwiches and seasonal desserts. From the tea room, you look out over colorful roses blooming in an array of vibrant colors. It’s an aristocratic experience. Pinky’s up!

California, Los AngelesChrissi HernandezJanuary 26, 2021huntington gardens, botanical gardens, things to do in los angeles, high tea in los angeles, high tea, california, united states, unique things to do in los angeles, Los Angeles Restaurants, los angeles restaurants, huntington gardens high tea, San Marino, PasadenaComment

Visit Michael Jackson's "Thriller" House

Michael Jackson’s Thriller video is arguably one of the most famous and memorable videos of all time. In the video, around the 10:30min mark, a dilapidated old Victorian home is shown, and this home is located in Los Angeles’ Angelino Heights neighborhood near Echo Park Lake. In this post, I’ll give you the location and history of this house so you can go and check it out.

California, Los AngelesChrissi HernandezJanuary 22, 2021thriller house, michael jacksons thriller, los angeles architecture, los angeles victorian houses, echo park victorians, interesting things to see in los angeles, strange attractions in los angeles, echo park, Angelino Heights, California Art & Architecture Comment

Try the Infamous California In-n-out Burgers

California, Los Angeles, San Diego, San FranciscoChrissi HernandezAugust 4, 2020Comment

Ride the Quirky Echo Park Lake Swan Pedal Boats

In Echo Park, near Dodgers Stadium and Downtown L.A. adjacent, there’s a little lake where you can ride swans. Very large swans. These are not your typical swans, but rather pedal boats that you can ride while the Los Angeles sun shines down on you with a view of palm trees and high rises as you flutter around this lovely little lake.

California, Los AngelesChrissi HernandezAugust 3, 2020echo park, california, united states, chrissi hernandez, echo park lake, echo park lake swans, things to do in L.A., echo park swans, outdoor los angeles, los angeles attractions, echo park lake swan boatsComment

Hike to a World War II-era Nazi compound

Down the canyon below Brentwood lies the ruins of once was grand plans for a self-sustaining farm, Murphy Ranch. Now all that’s left are graffitied stairs, dilapidated buildings and a water tower. It makes for a pretty interesting 3-4 mile hike.

California, Los AngelesChrissi HernandezJune 19, 2020urban hike, secret stairs, nazi camp, murphy ranch, los angeles hikes, World War II-era Nazi compound, interesting hikes in los angeles, travel, adventure travel, strange attractions in los angelesComment

Hiking Mt Baldy Via Devil’s Backbone Trail

L.A. Secret Stairs: Admire Echo Park's Victorian-era Mansions

This Secret Stairs hike takes you around Echo Park Lake into the Angelino Heights neighborhood, where the city’s greatest collection of restored Victorian and Queen Anne mansions reside.