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7 Awesome Natural Places To Swim Near LA

'Cause we've got more than the beach here.

Maddi Salmon

Jun 04, 2019

University of Southern California

7 Awesome Natural Places To Swim Near LA

https://pixabay.com/photos/geology-waterfall-cascade-landscape-1834846/

Los Angeles is an amazing place to live for a number of reasons. We've got the beach, we've got diverse and beautiful lawns, we've got professional sports teams, we've got great universities (go Trojans!), we've got a multitude of concert venues... the list goes on. There are some amenities of our area, though, and some forget about, or just don't know about them at all. One of them is the variety of swimming holes and lakes around the city that are easy to access, while also being perfect for summer. While everyone else is rushing off to the beach, why not try something new instead? It might end up being a lot more enjoyable and a lot less crowded.

Imagine this: You take a short hike up a shaded mountain. The sun is out but it's not beaming directly on you like it would be at the beach. You reach a semi-secluded swimming hole that doesn't seem like it could be located in Southern California, but it is. You get to cool off and relax in the natural water that isn't full of salt and screaming kids.

Read on for 7 swimming spots and waterfalls you need to check out.

1. Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area

Santa Fe Dam is operated by the County of Los Angeles Parks, and it's located in Baldwin Hills, CA. There's a small beach for swimming and LOTS more to do. Check out the county's page for more information.

2. Cooper Canyon Falls

You can hike AND swim here. What's not to love? It's in the San Gabriel mountains so it's incredibly close to LA. Learn more about what it has to offer here.

3. Aztec Falls

The Aztec Falls are located within the San Bernardino National Forest, so it's not too far of a trek beyond the LA County limits. You can take a (very) short hike then relax in the amazing, cool water. Learn more about how to get here.

4. Eaton Canyon Falls

This is another great spot to check out a waterfall, and it's very close to most of Los Angeles. It's located in Altadena, just beyond Pasadena. It's a wonderful place for a simple trail walk and will bring you to a cool waterfall. Get the details here.

5. Hansen Dam

This is a man made "lake" that is truly a pool, but hey. This Irwindale swimming spot features an artificial beach as well as a couple water slides. Learn more here.

6. Malibu Creek Rock Pool

This recently reopened after the fires, and it's a wonderful place to relax. It's a nice place to take a short hike, but be warned that the water has an icy chill (which is great if you like that sort of thing). Get all the information here.

7. Solstice Canyon

Also in the Malibu area, this canyon features a few small watering holes along the trails. You'll also find a waterfall at the end of the short hike, which is a great reward for the moderate workout. Learn more about it here.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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Recommended for you

7 Awesome Natural Places To Swim Near LA

'Cause we've got more than the beach here.

1. Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area

2. Cooper Canyon Falls

3. Aztec Falls

4. Eaton Canyon Falls

5. Hansen Dam

6. Malibu Creek Rock Pool

7. Solstice Canyon

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For those long nights that turn into mornings when the struggle is real.

1. Walk in motivated and ready to rock

2. Disappointed you let it get this bad

3. Distracted: When a 10-Minute Break Becomes an Hour

4. When the Yearning for Sleep Sneaks Up

5. In the words of Lorelai Gilmore "Coffee, Coffee, Coffee"

Oh, so done.

You need sleep, but also have 13 things due in the span of 4 days.

1. When it's December 1 and you have seven things due, three exams, and haven't slept in three days.

2. So you stress.

3. And cry.

4. Then call your mom to cry some more.

5. After the pep talk, you feel determined to get everything done.

6. But, now you're tired.

7. And really hungry.

8. Suddenly, it's 2 a.m. and you have only written three sentences and your paper is due in the morning.

9. You've made it to Friday... somehow.

10. Then Sunday hits and you find yourself back at the Lib.

11. So you cry some more.

12. But, you fight through the tears to get everything done because you're determined.

13. In the end, you feel on top of the world because you made it through the last week of class alive.

14. But, now it's finals week so good luck.

"I want to thank Google, Wikipedia, and whoever else invented copy and paste. Thank you."

1. I'm so tired. I need a nap. Maybe I can sleep with my eyes open in class? Or pretend I'm not napping?

2. We have a test today? Why didn't anyone tell me? Did I know this?!

3. Can I quit school yet? It's only October, and I need a vacation.

4. The struggle is so real.

5. I'm so broke. SOS.

6. Stressed? Eat everything you own in your pantry and stuff your face with all your feelings.

7. "Did we have anything due in class today? Homework? Quiz? Test?" "Not that I know of..."

8. I need food. Where is the closest place to get food? I need it stat.

9. This is the longest day of my life. I need a drink, or two, or three.

10. Sleep? What is sleep? What a foreign concept.

11. When someone suggests going and studying in the library, let alone studying in general.

12. When the cafeteria or student center is packed and you can't find a seat anywhere so you literally have to sit in an abandoned corner.

13. When you see someone you used to hook up with. They see you, and approach you; so you have to pretend like everything is normal.

14. When you get your exam and realize you didn't study as much as you should have.

15. When you crush it on an exam or paper that you totally bullshitted.

16. I need a grande, extra strong coffee to get me through today.

17. When the professor announces you have a project due the following week with no instruction on what it's on and how to do it.

18. Is it Friday yet? Where's the weekend when you need it most?

19. It's freezing in here. I feel like I'm sitting in an igloo. I should have brought a jacket or worn long pants.

20. Did I remember my book? Damn, I forgot the book, and of course I need it for that quiz in class.

21. I would pay a million dollars to not go to class today; or actually never again.

22. I need a hoverboard to ride to class. Maybe then I wouldn't be running 15 minutes late to class every day.

23. Oh she/he's cute! I wonder if they're single. Who are they texting? They're BF/GF? I wonder if they think I'm cute. Could they be a potential new bae?

24. Why is there never any parking? I pay thousands of dollars a year for one parking spot to be open.

25. When it feels like you've been in class for an hour and you look at your phone and it has only been five minutes (I'm crying on the inside).

26. When the professor asks if there are any more questions at the end of class and someone raises their hand.

27. When you get assigned the most incompetent group of people possible for a group project.

28. I need a comfort dog so I can avoid all life and school responsibilities.

"A Christmas Story" is the star on top of the tree.

Who isn't stressing out over finals right now?

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