It's hitting triple digits again this week in SoCal and there’s one classic pastime that picks up in the dog days of summer — finding the closest body of water and jumping in it.
But it's not always that straightforward. A good pool is hard to come by for most of us and though our local beaches are great, battling traffic to get there can be a drag. And then there are the crowds.
Thankfully, Mother Nature bestowed L.A. with another way to beat the heat: swimming holes. SoCal’s forests and mountain trails are dotted with these hidden gems. Some come with waterfalls. Others have historic relics. And if you’re lucky, you can even chance upon your own secret oasis.
They’re the perfect daytime getaway — that’s if a good old-fashioned off-trail trek doesn’t spook you, said Tim Joyce, photographer, and author of Swimming Holes in California on a recent segment of LAist's daily news program AirTalk, which airs on 89.3 FM.
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“California is unique in the conditions that carve these [pools] out,” he said. “You really don’t have anything else around in the country or in the world that has these kinds of swimming holes.”
We asked Joyce about the best swimming holes SoCal has to offer. Whether you just want a quick afternoon dip, or you’re set on a day-long wilderness adventure, we’ve got you covered.
Switzer Falls
The perfect novice swimming hole, this 3.6-mile round trip hike in Angeles National Forest takes you past babbling brooks and historic ruins to a cascading two-tier waterfall that feeds into a wide, natural swimming pool. It’s the closest and easiest to get to from LA, which means it can be crowded.
Get there in the morning for a cooler, more private hike. If it's too busy, don’t worry! Take a dip in some of the smaller pools leading up to the falls. Plus, we hear dozens of secret, off-trail swimming holes well up each year, where nearby Colby and Daisy Canyons meet. Parking is $5 with a SoCal Adventure Pass at Switzer Picnic Area.
Cooper Canyon Falls
Drive another 40 minutes down Highway 2 from Switzer Falls and you hit its more chilled-out baby brother, Cooper Canyon Falls. It's a shorter hike — only about 2.5 miles, and sure to be less busy.
This is the choice for a group looking for a more relaxed getaway. A serene 30-foot waterfall feeds the chilly swimming hole, and the whole site is surrounded by a lush tree canopy capped with a group of flat rocks designed for a picnic.
Malibu Creek Rock Pools
It’s not far from where Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid took their famous cliff jump, and you’ll find the relics of more than a few movie sets at Malibu Creek State Park. When you get there, you can't miss the parking lot. It's just $3 per hour. From there, the Rock Pools are your best bet for a relaxed, 2.5-mile round-trip hike. The site is littered with rock vistas, and when the pool levels are high enough, you’ll see kids leaping in from the peaks.
This one can get pretty busy too, so don’t be surprised if it's packed with sunbathers. Instead, just walk a little further down the shaded path to Century Dam for a more private swim. At the right time, there’s a good chance you’ll be the only soul in sight.
Cedar Creek Falls
Cedar Creek is one of Joyce’s favorites. Not for the faint of heart, you’ll spend your day getting there. Still, those who've done the hike will say you won’t want to leave once you've seen it.
From Los Angeles, you’ll drive about 3 hours southeast to Cleveland National Forest and park here. The rocky trail quickly descends into a stunning river valley that opens itself up to an 80-foot waterfall. Wait until it's a bit cooler to brave this hike since the way back up can be a challenge.
What to know before you go
Joyce's knowledge of the region's swimming holes has led him to not just write about the area but also volunteer his time in rescue groups.
To make sure you're safe on your next trip, here's some safety tips he has:
- Be advised that water levels change throughout the season, so look for crowdsourced information to understand the latest conditions.
- The heat can impact your traveling, so make sure to start your trip early to minimize exhaustion. You'll also want to make sure to bring sufficient water (1-3 liters) and sunscreen.
- It's easy to get lost while traveling, sometimes as a result of incorrect directions meant to mislead folks from reaching a secret area; so make sure to do your prep through using trusted guides.
- Make sure to bring swimming shoes. Although tempting, leaving your feet completely exposed to rocky floors could hurt your ability to travel back home.
Joyce also notes that privacy is possible, given how common it is for swimming holes to be near one another.
"There's four or five that are nearby that you [could] miss, so you do multiple trips," Joyce said. "You [also] have the opportunity to visit a bunch of different ones on your trip and make it much more economical and fun for the entire family."
For any additional insights, Joyce mentions his book, "Swimming Holes of California," which some of its information can be found on his blog. He also contributes to the site swimmingholes.org, which can serve as an additional resource for those looking for directions.
