Five Hikes to Take your Mom on When She's Visiting

Mom is coming to town. You can only go out to eat so much. She's heard about hiking. She hasn't done a lot of it, but she does love her Zumba classes and walking around the subdivision. She doesn't have hiking boots, but she loves a sensible flat. Here is a list of five hikes that are perfect for your sweet mother that doesn't care what ya'll do, she just wants to spend time with her baby. I included a link to the All Trails description of these hikes so you can see the map ( I recommend downloading the app. It's free!)

2.3 miles and 236 ft Elevation Gain, loop (a loop means you start and end in the same place)
This hike is smack dab in the middle of Los Angeles. Great views of downtown and right near Dodger Stadium if Mom loves Baseball (or if Dad tags along).  There's a cute bench to sit in at the top and you can bring your dog. Easy to squeeze in between other obligations (and you won't get too sweaty if it's not the summer). It's short and close to the city. Can easily be done in an hour. Also great picnic spots, so would be fun to bring a blanket and some snacks and enjoy the sunset.




2.  Ferndale Trail to Mt. Hollywood Summit

5.2 miles and 1,043 ft elevation gain, out and back (this is the total number of miles of the hike, so 2.6 miles to the top and 2.6 miles back down to the car)
Okay. So this will take a little longer. Think of it as a half day hike in Mom terms. A great way to park for free and go to the Observatory. It's about a mile up to the observatory. You can take a water break. Go to the bathroom. Get your touristy photo op in and then continue for a mile and a half to summit a mountain. It's a way to take it up a notch from the typical Griffith visit. She's going to want to go anyways. Why not do something for you? Also great for taking pictures of the observatory and the Hollywood Sign. Seriously. One. Stop. Shop. Also if mom isn't up for a long hike, just start at the observatory, will cut off 2 miles!



3. Dawn Mine Trail
4 miles and 974 ft elevation gain, out and back
This is an amazing hike right on the edge of the Angeles National Forest. It's super close if you're on the eastside. It's in Altadena. You get a little bit of everything with this hike. Great mountain vistas to start and then for the second half, you are basically traipsing along a fairy like creek in the forest. When I was there, we even found a fun little natural water slide. It ends up at an old mine, but this hike is definitely about the journey and not the destination. Unless you're into old mines. Then you'll love the destination. 



4. Point Dume Cove Trail
 1.5 miles and 347 ft elevation gain, out and back
Okay, you're going to the beach. It's a pain to get to the coast, so you might as well go to Malibu. Point Dume is a perfect barely hike. You're basically just walking around looking at the view the entire time. This will not feel like a hike. And then you're at the beach. so just do some beach stuff. Go to one of the amazing seafood shacks along the 1. Stay till sunset so the traffic won't be as bad. Mom Dreamz.


5. Antelope Valley Loop Trail
5.5 miles and 593 ft elevation gain, loop 
Moms and flowers have gone hand in hand for centuries. If your mom comes to LA in April and you don't make the hour and 20 minute drive to Lancaster, CA so she can see the poppies, you don't love your mother. Yes these are instagram famous, but they are wasted on influencers. Moms are guaranteed to cry and hug and kiss and thank you for taking her to a freaking wonderland of blossoms. The Antelope Valley Poppy Preserve is so unbelievable peaceful and rejuvenating. And even if you go pre or post poppy bloom, you'll get to experience the quietness that comes with being alone with the roaring winds (it is literally always windy). Bring a jacket and bring your mom. Also if you don't want to do the entire loop, there are plenty of places to cut it short. Just wander until you're sleepy. 





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