Nature Attractions in Los Angeles

Outdoor activities very close-by or even in Los Angeles are listed in this Hiking Guide and this Garden Guide. The destinations here on this list are major natural areas located here in the Southland. While the Los Angeles basin is a major population center, the immediately surrounding area is full of vast stretches of mountain and desert.

The major mountain ranges are included on this list. Topanga State Park is located in the Santa Monica Mountains, a range which stretches from Hollywood to the coast. More natural areas in these mountains are found both in city parks like Griffith Park and Franklin Canyon, as well as Malibu parks like Malibu Creek State Park (once owned and used by 20th Century Fox for filming movies) and Rancho Sierra Vista.

Farther to the east, much of the San Gabriel Mountains are located in the expansive Angeles National Forest. Destinations located in this huge national forest listed here include: the Los Angeles River Ranger District, the San Gabriel Wilderness, Cucamonga Wilderness. Farther east near Big Bear is the San Gorgonio Wilderness.

Inside the National Forest you will need an Adventure Pass if you want to park your vehicle; these passes are widely available at many convenience stores in the area.

Further inland, there are a lot of desert natural areas to explore. Some sites near Palm Springs included: Big Morongo Canyon Scenic Area, Coachella Valley Scenic Area, and the beautiful and famous Joshua Tree National Park.

Other desert destinations include Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, the Cleveland National Forest, and (right on the weird man-made Salton Sea) the Dos Palmas Scenic Area.

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