2 Valley Hikes..Vanalden Cave and San Vicente Missile

Highlights: Military background/Spectacular views over L.A.
Near: Encino
Distance: About 2 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Trail Condition: Dirt Fire Path
Rating: 4

Summary: I enjoyed this trail because of the military history involved with it. Who would have thought we had anti-aircraft missile launch sites in LA from the Cold War? The views are amazing once you get to the top, you can see downtown LA/Santa Monica and the Valley (I’m top of the world!!)(I also heard it’s also very romantic during sunsets;). This is a simple hike for beginners about 30 minutes each way and is just a fire dirt road(not much shade).

Trailhead: From the 405 freeway, take the Skirball exit and make a left on Mulhollond. Follow it all the way to the end when it turns into Encino Hills dr. look for the dirt parking lot on the left.


Vanalden Cave
Highlights: Cave
Near: Encino
Distance: About a half mile each way (about 30 minutes round trip)
Difficulty: Easy
Trail Condition: Good
Rating: 3

Summary: This hike is super short which was kind of disappointing to me because I love hour-2 hour hikes. The cave is huge and fun to explore, def. worth checking out.

Trailhead: Take Vanalden (Chevron station on the corner, just south of the 101 by Tampa) all the way south until it dead ends.