Finding secret swings in Los Angeles is a fun but challenging experience. I have not always had the best luck with these kinds of adventures. Some of the swings, like the Hummingbird Trail one, are very tricky to find. Others, like a swing on the beach in Malibu or one at Nike Hill in Whittier, have been cut down. Even when I have not had luck finding a swing, or have made it to the correct spot only to find it’s no longer there, I normally at least get a really great hike out of the experience. This post has been created with the goal of helping you find the secret swings in Los Angeles and beyond so that you can create a fun memory.
I spoke about secret swings with LA influencer Brenda Cisneros. She has been to more secret swings than anyone else I know which is why I am now referring to her as the queen of the secret swings. If you want ideas of things to do for fun in LA check out her Instagram. You can listen to us talk about secret swings on the newest episode of the LA Dreaming Podcast. You can listen to the podcast through Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, or Podbean.
This post contains affiliate links. That means if you click on a link and buy something, I will earn a small commission from the advertiser at no additional cost to you.
Secret Swings in Los Angeles
Please note that I do try to stay as up-to-date as possible but secret swings tend to get taken down with no warning. My recommendation is once you figure out which one you would like to see look it up on Instagram to see when the most recent photos are from.
The Secret Swing in Elysian Park
This particular swing is probably the least secret swing on this page due to how popular this one has become. It was taken down in 2020 but it was put back up in the fall of 2021. However, there have not been Instagram posts on the swing since November of 2021 leading us to believe it might have been taken down again.
Location: From what I read in another blog post I was directed to go to Park Drive and Angel Point Road and park where you can. This led to a steeper and more dangerous side of the hill. I saw once I got up to the top that I could have turned left and had an easier time. You want to park north of the swing.
Distance to swing from the parking area: .4 miles
The Secret Swing at Crystal Lake
View this post on Instagram
Location: 34.31819, -117.8463Â
Distance to swing from the parking area: I am still working on getting this information. There is so little shared info about this one so far. According to Thrillest.com, the swing is around 300 feet from the lake off of the main road.
Mount Wilson Secret Swing
View this post on Instagram
Location: Near the Mount Wilson Observatory I am working on getting the exact location
Distance to swing from the parking area: If you do the Mount Wilson hike it can be 15 miles.Â
Mount Lowe Secret Swing
View this post on Instagram
****This swing has been taken down. We are hoping they will put it back up.*****
Location: Eaton Saddle Trailhead, Mount Wilson Red Box Road, Mt Lowe Rd, Altadena, CA 91001
Distance to swing from the parking area: 1.5 miles I found a really helpful article on getting to this swing which you can read here.
Malibu/Santa Monica
View this post on Instagram
Location: I have reached out to the lady who took this photo with no response. So far I have not seen anyone else post this and I have been given a few ideas of where it could be but don’t have anything concrete yet. I will update this as I learn more.
Wildwood Canyon Secret Swing
View this post on Instagram
Location: 1701 Wildwood Canyon Road Burbank, CA Coordinates Latitude 34.220392
Longitud -118.286827
Distance to swing from the parking area: 2.1 miles
If you enjoy exploring Los Angeles by walking you might enjoy this book on Amazon called 10,000 Steps a Day in LA.
Ernest E Debs Regional Park Secret Swing
Check out this TikTok I made showing how to get to this swing.
Location: 4235 Monterey Road Los Angeles, CA 90032
Distance to swing from the parking area: .9 mile
Kanter Trail Secret Swing
Ramsey Wild shared a helpful TikTok showing how to get to this swing.
This one was not mentioned in the podcast as I just learned about it.
Location: 1184 N. Kenter Ave Los Angeles CA 90049
Distance to the swing from the parking area: approximately one mile
Secret Swings Outside of LA County
Hummingbird Trail Secret Swing
This is the most difficult secret swing that I have tried finding. In fact, I have gone twice and have not been able to find the cave. Luckily, I now have friends who have found it so I believe I’ll eventually be able to get on this swing. I found a helpful Instagram post from Hikingwithsun.
Location: 2954-2980 Kuehner Dr, Simi Valley, CA 93063
Distance from the swing to the parking area: 1.2 milesÂ
Secret Swing in Laguna Niguel
Location: 30241 Golden Lantern, Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
Distance from the swing to the parking area: less than a mile
*This one is believed to be down at the moment.
La Jolla Secret Swings
There are three swings in the La Jolla area near San Diego.
View this post on Instagram
There is one near the Scripps Institute.
Location: park at the cross of La Jolla Shore Dr and Discovery Way
Distance from the swing to the parking area: I haven’t been able to determine the distance but I did find this helpful article.
The second La Jolla swing is near the Birch Aquarium.
View this post on Instagram
Location: 2300 Expedition Way, La Jolla, CA 92037
Distance from the swing to the parking area: This is another one where I can’t find the exact distance but it sounds like it is a short walk after going uphill from the parking area.
View this post on Instagram
Location: 1466 Coast Walk La Jolla CA 92037
Bombay Beach Secret Swings
View this post on Instagram
Location: near 9500 Ave E Niland, CA 92257Â
There are two swings in this area. One is in the water, which I think I would be too scared to go in. The other is in a sandy area. Both are shown in Jenn’s post.
Secret Swing at Solimar in Ventura
We stopped for the swing at Solimar Beach in Ventura when we were on a road trip from LA to Lompoc. You can put Solimar Beach in your GPS and it will take you where you need to go but if you prefer using a more specific address you can use 2808 Pacific Coast Highway which is located north of this beach area. This stretch of beach is small so it is very easy to find the swing. Be sure to watch your step as it is a little rocky and uneven as you get from the parking area to the swing.
Secret Swings That Have Been Taken Down
As of April 2022, these swings are still known to be cut down. I will do my best to update you if this changes.
The Secret Swing at Nike Hill
View this post on Instagram
I made it to the top of Nike Hill in Whittier only to be disappointed to discover that the secret swing had been cut down a few months earlier.
Location: Canyon Dr, Whittier, CA 90601
Palos Verdes
View this post on Instagram
This is another one that I am so bummed that it has been taken down. I am really keeping a close watch on this one to see if it is being put back up.
Location: 1821 Paseo Del Sol, Palos Verdes Estates, CA
Secret Swing in Malibu
View this post on Instagram
This location was one that I saved in 2020 and finally made it to this area in 2022 only to find it cut down. It is part of a private residence so this one is a little iffy since it is not fully open to the public.
Location:Â
Bridgewater Trail Secret Swing in Huntington Beach
View this post on Instagram
I wish I had realized earlier that this one was located near the Bolsa Chica Wetlands. It turns out I have been in the area multiple times not knowing how close I was to this one. I visited in April 2022 and was so disappointed to see it is no longer there.
Location: 22150 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA – park near this address and walk to the left for about 10 minutes.
