Fun on Fiji

Hike Fiji Hill and Visit Adjacent Occidental College in Los Angeles

09.22.2021
Hiker at Fiji Hill at Occidental College in Los Angeles

Adjacent to Occidental College, Fiji Hill makes a great workout with nice cityscape vistas on this 2-mile route in Eagle Rock. Park at the Yosemite Recreation Center, just north of Occidental College and find the trailhead at the south end of the paved lot. The trail branches into two—stay left (you’ll return on the rightmost route), passing the swimming pool and a surprisingly large stone-seated amphitheater. The path ascends quickly under some pines (about 300 feet over the next half-mile) but the vast majority of the trail is exposed.

Hiker at Fiji Hill at Occidental Campus Los Angeles

Hiker taking a break on the ascent of the trail at Fiji Hill in Los Angeles

Hiker sitting at bench at summit of Fiji Hill in Los Angeles

At the top there’s a bench with an attached steering wheel, oddly enough. Because the hill is so prominent, the views are expansive. Steer your eyes to the north to see the iconic eponymous boulder peering over Eagle Rock and beyond to the San Rafael Hills, the Verdugo Mountains, and the San Gabriels. 

Hike at a tree swing at Fiji Hill in Los Angeles

Bench and steering wheel at the top of Fiji Hill in Los Angeles

Hiker heading up a trail at Fiji Hill in Los Angeles with mountains in the background

When you’re ready, continue downhill along the fence overlooking Occidental College’s fields, staying left at any junctions. You’ll end up on campus, where a pre-president Barack Obama used to roam. The grounds here are beautiful. We recommend staying south on Coons Road and turning right onto Range View Avenue, which turns into Bird Road. This passes the famous Moore Lab of Zoology, home to the world’s largest taxidermy collection of Mexican birds (>39,000). Pass more lecture halls and the Occidental bookstore to reach the main quad with a nearby picnic area and sculptures, including some of manual laborers who created the grounds themselves. 

Woman walking at Occidental Campus in Los Angeles

Occidental Campus Feast local community garden

Woman walking the campus by picnic tables at Occidental Campus in Los Angeles

Head east on Campus Road—passing Feast, the local community garden—taking it to its terminus, where a trail will deposit you back at Yosemite Recreation Center and your car.

BONUS: Trade the kava and rum for some craft beer and pinball fun at Walt’s Bar, a resident watering hole just a quarter-mile west of campus. Enjoy local ales (and wines), classic bar fare, retro arcade games, and chill vibes after your hill of a hike!

Walt's Bar with cold beers in Los Angeles

To get to the Yosemite Recreation Center lot and trailhead from the east, take the CA-134 to the Colorado Blvd. exit and head west, turning left onto Townsend Ave. and right onto Yosemite Dr.. From the west, take the CA-134 to the Harvey Dr. exit and make an immediate right, followed by an immediate left onto Wilson Ave. This turns into Broadway and shortly connects with Colorado Blvd. Turn right at Eagle Rock Blvd., followed by a left onto Yosemite Dr. Dog-friendly!

Story and photos by Matt Pawlik

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Hiker overlooking Bear Gulch Reservoir at Pinnacles National Park near Monterey

    Pinnacles of Spring

    Why hike at Pinnacles National Park? Spring's a beautiful time of year here. And you might spy the magnificent California condor soaring while you gain soaring views from the High Peaks Trail.

    View

  2. Swing into Spring

    Swing into this 7.1-mile hike in the hills of Half Moon Bay! It’s got gorgeous views, fields of spring wildflowers, and a hidden rustic tree swing.

    View

  3. Talk of the Town

    We're spilling the tea on this bountiful 5.5-mile loop to Gossip Rock in Hayward’s Garin Regional Park (currently whispering all the right springtime notes).

    View
  4. woman hiking the Mendocino Headlands State Park

    Heads Up, Headlands!

    There’s one thing that’s pretty much mandatory when you visit Mendocino and that’s a hike along the famous bluffs. The trail system at Mendocino Headlands State Park is vast, surrounding the village and meandering for miles, with sweeping sea panoramas.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories

  1. Caves in Mojave

    No one expects to see caves when they visit the desert, and that’s part of what makes Mitchell Caverns in the Mojave Desert such an interesting place. Go on a two-hour guided adventure tour through Mitchell Caverns in Providence Mountains State Recreation Area.

    View
  2. Sponsored

    Spring Up to These Amazing Events

    Shake it up, shake it all the way up to this sunniest city in the state for the most unique and fun-fueled events. Redding is true Northern California, surrounded by famous mountains, nearby national parks and recreation areas, and the sparkling Sacramento River.

    View
  3. Hikers by the reservoir at Triunfo Creek Park near Thousand Oaks

    Triumphant in Triunfo

    Go on a hike with a peaceful reservoir, charming meadows, and beautiful spring blooms at Triunfo Creek Park near Thousand Oaks.

    View
  4. Hiker on a trail at George F Canyon Preserve in Ranchos Palos Verdes

    Secret Blooms

    See wildflowers on the Palos Verdes Peninsula via a 2-mile hike through the hidden 51-acre oasis of George F. Canyon Preserve, and a 1.25-mile hike in neighboring Linden H. Chandler Preserve. 

    View