Escape to Nature｜Santa Fe Dam: A Perfect Day Out for Families 🍂🛶

Santa Fe Dam is truly a hidden gem in LA—a peaceful oasis where the mountains meet the water. Right now, the distant peaks are dusted with snow ❄️, and the golden autumn leaves add a magical touch to the scenery 🍁. It’s the perfect time to visit! During summer, the water recreation area gets super popular (think: hammocks on every tree! 😆), but autumn brings a quieter, more relaxed vibe. We went on a weekend morning and had plenty of space to ourselves. We rented a classic pedal boat—just like the ones from childhood!—and spent an hour gliding across the calm lake. It was so peaceful 🥰… though let’s be honest, pedaling is a workout! 💦 Luckily, Dad did most of the work 😜. The two-person boat was $28/hour. They also have kayaks, multi-person bikes, and other rentals. If you have your own gear—kayaks, fishing rods, bikes, or even a grill—you can easily spend the whole day here! After boating, we set up our lightweight hammock (bought on Taobao—so portable and cozy!) and laid out a picnic blanket. Pro tip🌳: The trees here are spread out, so bring an extension strap if you have a hammock! Heads up: There's a $12 vehicle entry fee per car. #TravelWithPurpose #ChasingAutumn #AutumnVibes #ParkLife #LAKids #LALife #SantaFeDam #ExploreLA #LAWeekend #FamilyOuting #NatureEscape #HammockLife #LakeDay #OutdoorFun