Santa Paula Punch Bowls Trail

“one of socal’s most rewarding hikes, not to be approached casually. i last went alone in september, took a wrong turn, and turned what should have been an eight-mile hike into fourteen. i ended up with two fully purple big toes that still haven’t fully healed.”

“Absolute cinema of a hike. 14 miles through a giant creek bed full of delightful little clambers into the hills. Then you chase the water into deep and magical canyons where it has pummeled giant swimming holes out of solid stone. The water is cold and pure and so alive. The last punch bowl has a natural water slide. Highly recommend.”