A waterfall? In Los Angeles? Within minutes of the Grove? Really? Here's a place you can sneak away to while everyone else is battling the crowds at the mall today and work off a little bit of yesterday's meal in the process. It may not be good for the economy, but it'll be good for your head...

The waterfall is one of the many hidden treasures of Kenneth Hahn State Recreational Area, that stretch you've probably passed as you zip south down La Cienaga on your way to LAX. We know we had never been there until we ended up there yesterday morning on our annual Thanksgiving morning hike. Not thinking we'd need our camera, we snapped these pictures with our IPhone when it became clear that we'd found a cool spot we'd been missing in our decade-plus in Los Angeles. Early in the morning, we practically had it to ourselves...
With 7 miles of trails, you'll encounter switchbacks, covered trails, wide open spaces, a Japanese Garden, and plenty of benches and picnic tables for sitting and contemplating some of the best views of the city you've ever seen. After the recent rainstorm, we could see clear across the city to the water and all the way to the tip of downtown. One thing to be thankful for: living in a place where an escape into nature is only moments away from the hustle and bustle. You can be back in time to meet up for a movie.

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