Southern California offers a seemingly endless list of opportunities for outdoor recreation; most notably, that of the water variety. From SoCal’s stunning beaches to its pristine lakes, the state has an abundance of beautiful bodies of water. But when temperatures climb in this part of the state, there really is nothing more refreshing and rejuvenating than a swim in one of SoCal’s splendid swimming holes. We searched far and wide to compile the following list of what we believe to be the best swimming holes in SoCal. Take a look, and plan your next adventure in The Golden State!
- Three Sisters Falls - Pine Valley
Seaira Peel/AllTrails To reach this swimming hole you’ll need to navigate your way along a very intense hike. If you’re up for the challenge and you’re seeking an adventure, then this destination in San Diego County will be one to remember. It gets very hot out here, especially in the summer, so make sure to plan ahead and pack plenty of water for the trail to Three Sisters Waterfall.
- Eaton Canyon Falls - Pasadena
Scott Medling/Wikimedia Commons A 3.5 mile roundtrip hike will take you to the breathtaking Eaton Canyon Falls, located in the Eaton Canyon Natural Area in Pasadena. After this brisk hike, there’s no question you’ll want to jump in the water to cool off on a hot summer day.
- Cedar Creek Falls - Ramona
John Lemieux/Flickr Located in the Cleveland National Forest, you’ll find an 80-foot waterfall that splashes into a perfect pool of water that makes for a delightful swimming hole. To reach the waterfall and swimming hole, you’ll need to put on your hiking shoes first, as there is a three-mile trail that you’ll need to hike to reach the falls. It’s totally worth it, however. This waterfall swimming hole is expansive, deep, and cold – and if you visit during the week, you might even have it all to yourself!
- Deep Creek - Green Valley
Blanca Santos/AllTrails Upstream from Aztec Falls you’ll find a peaceful little swimming hole called Deep Creek. If you need to rest and unwind, the Deep Creek Hot Springs in the foothills of the San Bernardino Mountains is the perfect spot to relax. At the end of a moderately difficult hike, you will be rewarded with something truly spectacular: an emerald-green oasis right here in SoCal. This spring-fed pool is soothing and rejuvenating, and you can find both hot and cold areas in these gorgeous natural springs, too!
- Malibu Creek Rock Pool - Calabasas
Anselmo Mejia/Google Local Malibu Creek Rock Pool is a little slice of SoCal paradise; it’s just 30 minutes from LA, but feels an entire world away. The Rock Pool within the park is a SoCal tradition. When the summer sun starts to heat up, there’s no better way to cool off than by taking a refreshing swim at Malibu Creek State Park. The water is serene and still, and if you visit in the early morning, it’s downright hypnotic.
- Punch Bowl - Santa Paula Canyon in Santa Paula
Bobby Haynes/AllTrails If you’re up for a bit of a trek, you’ll be rewarded with a fantastic swimming hole that’s pretty much perfect (it’s also conveniently located at the midpoint of this seven-mile loop trail, making an excellent incentive for your journey! A variety of enchanting scenery awaits you as you make your way along the trail. Even without the payoff of a swimming hole, the scenery along the trail is well-worth the journey (but trust us – the swimming hole here is absolutely spectacular, too!).
Do you have a favorite from our list of swimming holes in SoCal? Did we miss any of your top picks? Let us know in the comments below! And please note that water levels can fluctuate throughout the season, so although the water levels are suitable one day, that may change from week to week.
Seaira Peel/AllTrails
To reach this swimming hole you’ll need to navigate your way along a very intense hike. If you’re up for the challenge and you’re seeking an adventure, then this destination in San Diego County will be one to remember. It gets very hot out here, especially in the summer, so make sure to plan ahead and pack plenty of water for the trail to Three Sisters Waterfall.
Scott Medling/Wikimedia Commons
A 3.5 mile roundtrip hike will take you to the breathtaking Eaton Canyon Falls, located in the Eaton Canyon Natural Area in Pasadena. After this brisk hike, there’s no question you’ll want to jump in the water to cool off on a hot summer day.
John Lemieux/Flickr
Located in the Cleveland National Forest, you’ll find an 80-foot waterfall that splashes into a perfect pool of water that makes for a delightful swimming hole. To reach the waterfall and swimming hole, you’ll need to put on your hiking shoes first, as there is a three-mile trail that you’ll need to hike to reach the falls. It’s totally worth it, however. This waterfall swimming hole is expansive, deep, and cold – and if you visit during the week, you might even have it all to yourself!
Blanca Santos/AllTrails
Upstream from Aztec Falls you’ll find a peaceful little swimming hole called Deep Creek. If you need to rest and unwind, the Deep Creek Hot Springs in the foothills of the San Bernardino Mountains is the perfect spot to relax. At the end of a moderately difficult hike, you will be rewarded with something truly spectacular: an emerald-green oasis right here in SoCal. This spring-fed pool is soothing and rejuvenating, and you can find both hot and cold areas in these gorgeous natural springs, too!
Anselmo Mejia/Google Local
Malibu Creek Rock Pool is a little slice of SoCal paradise; it’s just 30 minutes from LA, but feels an entire world away. The Rock Pool within the park is a SoCal tradition. When the summer sun starts to heat up, there’s no better way to cool off than by taking a refreshing swim at Malibu Creek State Park. The water is serene and still, and if you visit in the early morning, it’s downright hypnotic.
Bobby Haynes/AllTrails
If you’re up for a bit of a trek, you’ll be rewarded with a fantastic swimming hole that’s pretty much perfect (it’s also conveniently located at the midpoint of this seven-mile loop trail, making an excellent incentive for your journey! A variety of enchanting scenery awaits you as you make your way along the trail. Even without the payoff of a swimming hole, the scenery along the trail is well-worth the journey (but trust us – the swimming hole here is absolutely spectacular, too!).
And for more Southern California summer adventures, check out these 15 things that you’ll want to add your SoCal bucket list!
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Address: Three Sisters Falls Trail, California, USAAddress: Eaton Canyon, Pasadena, CA 91107, USAAddress: Cedar Creek Falls, California 92065, USAAddress: Deep Creek, California, USAAddress: Agoura Hills, CA 91301, USAAddress: Creek, Santa Paula, CA 93060, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Swimming Holes in SoCal April 15, 2021 Sarah Are there any SoCal campsites on the beach? In a word: yes. Not only do we have a bounty of beautiful beaches (that we can visit year-round, no less), there are also some epic beachfront campgrounds in SoCal that are sure to satisfy your wanderlust. Some of our favorite beach-front campsites in Southern California include Carpinteria in Santa Barbara County, Moro Campground at Crystal Cove in Orange County, Thornhill Broome Beach State Park in Malibu, and San Onofre State Beach Campground in San Clemente. No matter where you decide to camp, it’s guaranteed to be absolutely memorable – and those California beach sunrises? Definitely worth waking up early for! What are the best places to swim in SoCal? Well, in addition to the above swimming holes in SoCal, there are lots of options for outdoor swimming in this part of the state! We’re partial to these seven, off-the-beaten-path beaches; they’re all absolutely pristine and allow for a relaxing day of sun and sand. One of our very favorite places to swim in SoCal is Pirate’s Cove Beach. Located in Newport Beach, Pirate’s Cove Beach is one more reason to love spending an afternoon at one of SoCal’s most pristine beaches. Take a swim in the crystal clear ocean or stroll along the soft sand and soak up the ocean views. It’s the perfect place to do a little relaxing on a hot summer day in The Golden State!
What is summer in SoCal like? SoCal truly shines in the summer; during this time you’ll find some of the best locally grown produce and spectacular outdoor dining. However, summer is also peak vacation season all over the state. You’ll find all the major attractions packed with people, and well-known hiking trails may be busier than usual. So it’s the prime time to explore some off-the-beaten-path places, such as these secret beaches and hidden gems.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Swimming Holes in SoCal
April 15, 2021
Sarah
Are there any SoCal campsites on the beach? In a word: yes. Not only do we have a bounty of beautiful beaches (that we can visit year-round, no less), there are also some epic beachfront campgrounds in SoCal that are sure to satisfy your wanderlust. Some of our favorite beach-front campsites in Southern California include Carpinteria in Santa Barbara County, Moro Campground at Crystal Cove in Orange County, Thornhill Broome Beach State Park in Malibu, and San Onofre State Beach Campground in San Clemente. No matter where you decide to camp, it’s guaranteed to be absolutely memorable – and those California beach sunrises? Definitely worth waking up early for! What are the best places to swim in SoCal? Well, in addition to the above swimming holes in SoCal, there are lots of options for outdoor swimming in this part of the state! We’re partial to these seven, off-the-beaten-path beaches; they’re all absolutely pristine and allow for a relaxing day of sun and sand. One of our very favorite places to swim in SoCal is Pirate’s Cove Beach. Located in Newport Beach, Pirate’s Cove Beach is one more reason to love spending an afternoon at one of SoCal’s most pristine beaches. Take a swim in the crystal clear ocean or stroll along the soft sand and soak up the ocean views. It’s the perfect place to do a little relaxing on a hot summer day in The Golden State!
What is summer in SoCal like? SoCal truly shines in the summer; during this time you’ll find some of the best locally grown produce and spectacular outdoor dining. However, summer is also peak vacation season all over the state. You’ll find all the major attractions packed with people, and well-known hiking trails may be busier than usual. So it’s the prime time to explore some off-the-beaten-path places, such as these secret beaches and hidden gems.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
In a word: yes. Not only do we have a bounty of beautiful beaches (that we can visit year-round, no less), there are also some epic beachfront campgrounds in SoCal that are sure to satisfy your wanderlust. Some of our favorite beach-front campsites in Southern California include Carpinteria in Santa Barbara County, Moro Campground at Crystal Cove in Orange County, Thornhill Broome Beach State Park in Malibu, and San Onofre State Beach Campground in San Clemente. No matter where you decide to camp, it’s guaranteed to be absolutely memorable – and those California beach sunrises? Definitely worth waking up early for!
What are the best places to swim in SoCal?
Well, in addition to the above swimming holes in SoCal, there are lots of options for outdoor swimming in this part of the state! We’re partial to these seven, off-the-beaten-path beaches; they’re all absolutely pristine and allow for a relaxing day of sun and sand. One of our very favorite places to swim in SoCal is Pirate’s Cove Beach. Located in Newport Beach, Pirate’s Cove Beach is one more reason to love spending an afternoon at one of SoCal’s most pristine beaches. Take a swim in the crystal clear ocean or stroll along the soft sand and soak up the ocean views. It’s the perfect place to do a little relaxing on a hot summer day in The Golden State!
What is summer in SoCal like?
SoCal truly shines in the summer; during this time you’ll find some of the best locally grown produce and spectacular outdoor dining. However, summer is also peak vacation season all over the state. You’ll find all the major attractions packed with people, and well-known hiking trails may be busier than usual. So it’s the prime time to explore some off-the-beaten-path places, such as these secret beaches and hidden gems.
