🌤 Trail Weather — Plan Your Hike
Updated every 6 hrs · Trailhead coords
🟡
High Heat — Plan Around It
Start by 7am. Carry 3+ liters. Avoid exposed ridgelines after 10am. Watch for heat exhaustion.
💨 Wind
11 mph ENE
Gusts to 25 mph
💧 Humidity
24%
Dry — drink before thirsty
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi
Good visibility
☁️ Cloud Cover
7%
Clear — full sun exposure
🌅 Sunrise
7:00 am
Ideal start time
🌇 Sunset
6:20 pm
Off trail by this
Today — 3-Hour Intervals
8 pm
🌙
88°
Feels 84°
💨 9/21
11 pm
🌙
84°
Feels 81°
💨 9/22
5-Day Forecast
💧 Humidity
23% Dry — drink before thirsty
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi — Good visibility
☁️ Clouds
5% Clear — full sun exposure
🟡
Warm & Humid — Extra Water
💧 Humidity
24% Dry — drink before thirsty
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi — Good visibility
☁️ Clouds
0% Clear — full sun exposure
✅
Good Conditions — Go Hike
☁️
Sun, Oct 18
Scattered Clouds
💧 Humidity
26% Dry — drink before thirsty
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi — Good visibility
☁️ Clouds
32% Partly cloudy
✅
Good Conditions — Go Hike
💧 Humidity
40% Comfortable
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi — Good visibility
☁️ Clouds
0% Clear — full sun exposure
✅
Good Conditions — Go Hike
💧 Humidity
91% High humidity — pace yourself
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi — Good visibility
☁️ Clouds
0% Clear — full sun exposure
🟡
Warm & Humid — Extra Water
Trailhead elevation only. Conditions change at altitude. Check weather.gov before heading out.
Oct 16, 5:20 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.
