🌤 Trail Weather — Plan Your Hike
Updated every 6 hrs · Trailhead coords
🥾
Trail Ready
89°F, Broken Clouds. Layer for elevation. Summit conditions may differ from trailhead.
☁️
89°
Broken Clouds
Feels 94°F
💨 Wind
8 mph SSE
Gusts to 6 mph
💧 Humidity
55%
Humid — heat feels stronger
👁 Visibility
1.7 mi
Poor — fog or smoke likely
☁️ Cloud Cover
53%
Mostly cloudy
🌅 Sunrise
6:00 am
Ideal start time
🌇 Sunset
8:02 pm
Off trail by this
Today — 3-Hour Intervals
2 pm
☁️
89°
Feels 94°
💨 8/6
5 pm
☁️
87°
Feels 91°
💨 6/5
8 pm
☁️
79°
Feels 79°
💨 4/6
11 pm
🌥️
68°
Feels 68°
💨 2/3
5-Day Forecast
💧 Humidity
55% Humid — heat feels stronger
👁 Visibility
1.7 mi — Poor — fog or smoke likely
☁️ Clouds
49% Partly cloudy
🟡
Warm & Humid — Extra Water
💧 Humidity
80% High humidity — pace yourself
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi — Good visibility
☁️ Clouds
3% Clear — full sun exposure
🟡
Warm & Humid — Extra Water
☁️
Sun, Jul 26
Overcast Clouds
💧 Humidity
76% High humidity — pace yourself
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi — Good visibility
✅
Good Conditions — Go Hike
☁️
Mon, Jul 27
Scattered Clouds
💧 Humidity
88% High humidity — pace yourself
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi — Good visibility
☁️ Clouds
41% Partly cloudy
🟡
Warm & Humid — Extra Water
💧 Humidity
85% High humidity — pace yourself
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi — Good visibility
☁️ Clouds
21% Partly cloudy
🟡
Warm & Humid — Extra Water
Trailhead elevation only. Conditions change at altitude. Check weather.gov before heading out.
Jul 24, 2:35 pm
A popular coastal canyon walk through oak groves to the tallest waterfall in the Santa Monica Mountains. Multi-tiered mossy limestone walls make this a spectacular winter and spring destination when the falls run full.
Trail Overview
The falls only run well after winter rain and in early spring. Check conditions before making the trip — in summer and early fall the upper falls are often dry. When it runs, Escondido Falls is genuinely beautiful — a 150-foot multi-tiered limestone falls that looks out of place in SoCal. No dogs allowed on this trail. PCH parking fills fast and there is no overflow option.
This Hike Is For You If…
Hikers who time their visit for winter and spring. Waterfall seekers who want the best seasonal payoff in the range.
Skip This Hike If…
Skip in summer and early fall — the falls are likely dry. Skip if you need to bring your dog.
What to Expect on Trail
Terrain: Good trail with some rocky sections near the falls. River crossing at upper falls approach.
Shade: Mostly Shaded
Water: Seasonal. Escondido Creek seasonal. Falls run best January through April.
Views: Good
Crowds: Extremely popular when falls are running. Arrive early or visit on a weekday.
Dogs: No dogs allowed on this trail.
Best Arrival: Before 8:30am on weekends. PCH street parking disappears fast.
This is a Tier 1 sourced review. Trail information is based on published sources and research. Andrew has not personally hiked this trail yet. Photos and firsthand sensory detail will be added when upgraded to Tier 2.
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3.8 miRound Trip
400 ftElev. Gain
EasyDifficulty
1.5-2.5 hoursEst. Time
900 ftHighest Point
Out-and-BackRoute Type
NoDogs
NonePermit
Trailhead & Logistics
Address: Winding Way Trailhead, Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA 90265
Parking: Street parking on PCH near Winding Way. Free but limited. Arrive before 9am. No dogs allowed.
Bathroom: None
Cell Service: Partial
Best Arrival: Before 8:30am on weekends. PCH street parking disappears fast.
Trail Reality Check
The falls only run well after winter rain and in early spring. Check conditions before making the trip — in summer and early fall the upper falls are often dry. When it runs, Escondido Falls is genuinely beautiful — a 150-foot multi-tiered limestone falls that looks out of place in SoCal. No dogs allowed on this trail. PCH parking fills fast and there is no overflow option.
Terrain: Good trail with some rocky sections near the falls. River crossing at upper falls approach.
Shade: Mostly Shaded
Water: Seasonal — Escondido Creek seasonal. Falls run best January through April.
Views: Good
Crowds: Very Busy — Extremely popular when falls are running. Arrive early or visit on a weekday.
Who should do this: Hikers who time their visit for winter and spring. Waterfall seekers who want the best seasonal payoff in the range.
Who should skip this: Skip in summer and early fall — the falls are likely dry. Skip if you need to bring your dog.
