Swimming holes near Los Angeles

Rabindranatha · Post by **Rabindranatha** » Sat Jun 27, 2026 8:12 pm

I live in Culver City, which is next to Los Angeles and I am looking for places for going swimming in the wilderness. Presently I go to Century lake at Malibu State Creek Part. Does anyone know of other nice places to swim in the wilderness not too far from Los Angeles. Thanks--Rabindranatha

Post by **dima** » Sat Jun 27, 2026 11:48 pm

Hello! Most of the major creeks in the San Gabriels have good spots, but you'll need to walk a bit to get to the best areas. The Arroyo Seco in the Royal Gorge, Bear Creek (above where the trail from Smith Mountain comes in), East Fork (all over the place), and lots of other places. Go explore the San Gabriels; you'll find a lot of stuff.

Post by **Sean** » Sun Jun 28, 2026 7:04 am

Try Santa Paula Canyon.

mikeywally · Post by **mikeywally** » Sun Jun 28, 2026 1:05 pm

lytle creek might have water.

baldy stoddard falls might be good.

Nate U · Post by **Nate U** » Sun Jun 28, 2026 7:48 pm

You aren't going to find too much large and deep enough to swim laps in, but there are pools, mostly human-supplemented, at various points along the Tujunga starting at Wildwood and even a couple spots in Hansen Dam Park. I live in the SFV so Tujunga is closest to me. I've explored most any of them with my Son Forest. You'll see cars on a hot day parked at various access points. There used be quite a gathering at the access road to the Ebey Canyon community but the city shut it down with a bunch of barricades and fences last year. Also beware there was a lot of flooding this past winter so I'm sure a lot of spots got wiped out. Anyways, I know a lot about it because my 6 year old son and I explored a bunch of it the last few summers when it's too hot to hike up mountains.