How to Hike Franklin Canyon in Beverly Hills

An undeveloped, 600-acre canyon hidden behind the Beverly Hills Hotel, Franklin Canyon features a lake, historic ranch buildings and hillside hiking trails. It's the ideal, peaceful retreat right in the heart of the west side of Los Angeles, remarkably uncrowded, easily accessible and a great spot to see celebrities exercising or walking their dogs. It also boasts a rich history as a movie and television location and many memorable Hollywood moments have been filmed here, from Claudette Colbert hiking her skirt up while hitchhiking in "It Happened One Night" to Andy Griffith and Ron Howard toting fishing poles in the opening credits of "Mayberry RFD".

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Comfortable walking shoes
• Hat
• Sunscreen
• Bottle of water

1. Franklin Canyon is located at 2600 Franklin Canyon Drive in Beverly Hills behind the Beverly Hills Hotel. The park is open sunrise to sunset seven days a week and can be reached from either Beverly Drive north of Sunset Boulevard or from Coldwater Canyon Drive south of Mullholland Drive.
2. Begin this moderate, four-mile hike in the parking lot of the Snooky Goldman Nature Center that offers guided walks and tours of the historic ranch buildings. Head down the paved road known as Lake Drive towards the lake and when you reach the lake, follow the road on the right side.
3. Soon you'll arrive at Heavenly Pond and the Wishing Well where Claudette Colbert famously raised her skirt suggestively while hitchhiking with Clark Gable in the classic 1930s film, "It Happened One Night". This is also the site of idyllic Mayberry's fishing hole, where Andy Griffith and little Ronny Howard are seen in the opening credits of the 1960s television show.
4. Continue along Lake Drive, past the lake, towards an old adobe ranch building sitting at a fork in the road. Take the left fork which follows along the canyon floor and soon you'll arrive at the Hastain trail that rises up the hillside on your left.
5. Follow the Hastain trail as it climbs the chaparral covered hillside. At the top you'll be able to admire a panorama that stretches across the Westside all the way to the ocean.
6. On your way back down, detour on the trail that leads to the old Doheney Ranch House at the south end of the park. You can't go inside, but it's surrounded by a wide lawn perfect for taking a breather or enjoying a picnic. When you're done you can follow Lake Drive back to your car.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't hike in the middle of the day.
• Dogs on leashes are welcome.
• Watch out for rattlesnakes on the Hastain Trail. They're few and far between, but not unheard of.