With the Women’s Euro underway, the BBC invites several football icons on screens this week. And there are a multitude of other shows that will keep everyone entertained.
Plenty of shows will keep everyone entertained this week(Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC/Strike Global Ltd/Khuram Mirza)
The Lionesses are gearing up for their anticipated confrontation with France this Saturday as the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 enters its third day.
Meanwhile, John Torode and Lisa Faulkner front the tenth series of their Weekend Kitchen while Apple TV+ raises the alarm bells for the future of the world’s most vulnerable animals in The Wild Ones.
Expect thrills and nail-biting suspense this week on streaming platforms, with Netflix, Sky, Prime and even National Geographic lining up plenty of more programmes to fit every binge.
Every weekend, MasterChef judge and restaurateur John Torode and his wife Lisa Fulkner whip up family-friendly meals in their stylish kitchen, making each treat a feast for the eyes.
Now entering its tenth season, the series leans into dynamic themed cooking and gives tips on how to make the best of your weekly food shop. Expect Michelin-level flair from John and homemade heart from Lisa with a sprinkle of cheeky chemistry.
Foundation
Friday, Apple TV+
Way into the future (to be honest, so far forward it’s probably not worth us losing too much sleep over), a band of bold exiles has been fighting to ensure the survival of the human race.
For season three of this sweeping sci-fi epic, based on the works of Isaac Asimov and starring Jared Harris, a warlord known as The Mule has his sights set on ruling the entire universe, via psychic manipulation and a touch of sheer brute force.
Teen Mom UK: New Generation
Wednesday, Paramount+
Back this week with six new episodes, two new mums (Leonie Hellman and Amelia Pritchard) and, before we know it, three new babies, this access-all-areas reality series continues to remind us of the multiple daily challenges young mothers find themselves having to face.
There are money worries, relationship issues, family tensions, strangers passing judgement, you name it – and those nappies don’t change themselves, sadly. At least, not until someone invents an app to do that.
The Wild Ones raises the alarm bells for the world’s most vulnerable species
The Wild Ones
Friday, Apple TV+
From the whales of the North Atlantic to the bears of the Gobi desert, the magnificent creatures featured in this series are all facing a bleak future. So a trio of wildlife experts are on a mission to track down them down, monitor their behaviour and seek ways to ensure their survival.
Also on the list are gorillas in Gabon, leopards in Armenia, rhino on the island of Java and the tigers of Malaysia’s rainforest, forever under threat from poachers.
This sobering new series follows a mission undertaken by investigative reporter James Beal, prompted by the death of a young university student in the autumn of 2021.
Horrified to learn that Tom Parfett, who was 22, had obtained and ingested a deadly poison, purchased online from a website based in Canada, James joined forces with bereaved parents worldwide in a bid to bring the seller to justice. He was also determined to highlight the horrors of online suicide forums.
Supercruising: Life at Sea
Thursday, 8pm, Channel 4
When it comes to on-board entertainment, the passengers on these luxury cruise ships seem to prefer things over-the-top. At least you hope they do, because that’s certainly what’s being lined up this week for the 3,000 people sailing round North Africa and Europe.
Expect a spectacular Dutch-themed orange party, laid on by entertainment chief Hamish, complete with dazzling costumes, themed cocktails and a performance by the food and beverage team that involves a lot more than just dishing up sausage rolls.
One Chicago
Friday, from 8pm, Sky Witness and NOW
A high-rise building has been rocked by an enormous gas explosion. Hundreds of people are going to need bringing to safety, including a group who find themselves trapped deep underground, two of whom are first responders.
It’s a terrifying scenario – and one which, as a storyline, lends itself perfectly to one of these TV crossover events. In this case, we get an episode each of Chicago Fire (firefighters and paramedics), Chicago Med (doctors and nurses) and Chicago PD (the cops).
Project X was a 2012 comedy film about a group of teens whose house party swiftly spiralled out of control. As thousands of strangers descended on the birthday boy’s family home, the merry mood turned to mayhem and a riot ensued.
Trainwreck tells the story of an equally calamitous real-life event which occurred not long afterwards in a tiny town in the Netherlands, in this case thanks to the birthday girl having accidentally made her Facebook announcement public.
CBeebies’ Football Fantastics includes a star-studded cast(Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC/Strike Global Ltd/Khuram Mirza)
Football Fantastics
Saturday, CBeebies
Created by Sam Talbot, this joyful series features six adorable football-mad kids led by an over-enthusiastic and eco-conscious groundskeeper.
Football Fantastics boasts star cameos from England Lionesses Cloe Kelly, Fran Kirby, Beth Mead, foobtall legend Jill Scott, striker Olly Watkins to Leyton Orient player Charlotte Lynch and Emmerdale icon Samantha Giles.
Expect hilarious scenes, toe-tapping songs, messy goals and lessons in teamwork. It’s a charming kickoff to the BBC’s Summer of Sport.
Bertie Gregory seeks out great white sharks in his new documentary(Image: National Geographic/Dan Beecham)
Sharks Up Close with Bertie Gregory
Tuesday, National Geographic
Kicking off Sharkfest on Nat Geo, Sharks Up Close with Bertie Gregory plunges explorer and wildlife cinematographer Bertie into shark territory – without a cage.
In Plettenberg Bay, South Africa, he and his team (including field specialists Lacey Williams, skipper Patrick McDonald and local spotter Khwesi Namntu) document great whites hunting seals in shallow waters.
This immersive documentary aims to shine a light on the secret lives of sharks but viewers will quickly understand that nature follows no schedule. It’s awe-inspiring, tense and essential viewing.
The Facebook Honeytrap
Sunday, Prime
Christine Robinson’s life was brutally cut short in a senseless attack at her remote South African safari lodge, leaving her family in the UK devastated. But her niece Lehanne, in London, decided to stop at nothing for answers.
This gripping two-part docuseries exposes a real-life predatory sting and the chilling reality behind the screen. Turning to Facebook, Lehanne combs through profiles and connects the digital dots – before confronting her aunt’s killer face to face. It’s a compelling, heart-breaking cautionary tale and an unmissable watch.
Lucy Hylton, 39, says the hotel she stayed in was ‘filthy’ and had broken furniture, and that they resorted to eating out half the time they were there
The family’s photos show the dirty interiors of the resort(Image: Jam Press)
A Manchester family have been left devastated after their £12,000 luxury getaway to Jamaica turned into an ordeal they describe as a ‘nightmare’. Lucy Hylton, 39, recounted the horrendous conditions at the five-star resort where the buffet was ‘filthy’, with broken furniture – forcing them to dine out for half of their stay.
Upon arrival, they found dirty rooms, one of which had such a bad odour that it was nearly impossible to breathe in. With a young child in tow, the Hyltons were further troubled by relentless fire alarms throughout their stay.
Lucy and her husband, Zata Hylton, 30, splurged £6,000 on a two-week all-inclusive vacation at Royalton Negril, Jamaica, to introduce their four-month-old son Leo to his Jamaican relatives.
Joining them, Lucy’s parents Sheila Hoy, 69, and Graham Hoy, 68, also invested £6,000 hoping to delight in their grandson’s first overseas experience, reports the Manchester Evening News.
Lucy Hylton, 39, and husband Zata Hylton, 30, wanted to introduce Leo to his relatives(Image: Jam Press)
The five-star resort promises to give guests a “luxurious experience, mouth-watering gourmet meals and superior, friendly service at every turn”. But Lucy said: “It was a nightmare from check in.
“Our room was dirty,” she continued. “Mum and Dad’s room was horrendous. It stunk so bad you could barely breathe, the shower door was broken, the couch was broken, and the TV was broken.”
The family’s rooms were ‘filthy’(Image: Jam Press)
The buffet’s condition, with its unkempt floor and damaged fixtures, stunned her further. “The floor was dirty. It was unbelievable” she added.
Lucy recounted the holiday nightmare, detailing the appalling state of their accommodation: “The grills were thick with grime, and the microwaves looked like they’d never been cleaned.”
Despite opting for an all-inclusive package costing £6,000 each, the family chose to dine out: “We would never usually eat out because it was all-inclusive, and we paid £6,000 each, but we were scared to eat from the buffet, so we ate out seven times.”
The family ate out after seeing the buffet area(Image: Jam Press)
She also described a distressing incident involving her son Leo: “On the second to last night, the fire alarm was going off at 11pm.. “We thought they might be testing it, even though it was a weird time. The fire alarm in the room next door was going off constantly.
“Our fire alarm was going off every ten minutes from 1 am to 5 am. They came and removed the bit that makes the noise, which is dangerous.”, she added.
The situation escalated, affecting the entire family: “Leo was screaming so he had to wear ear defenders, and we sat on the balcony until 5am. Some issues are small, but together they’re a problem. Because we were stressed, Zatar and I were arguing.”
The fire alarm was removed from their room(Image: Jam Press)
Lucy’s parents Sheila Hoy, 69, and Graham Hoy, 68, wanted to go home by day three(Image: Jam Press)
Her parents were also affected by the ordeal: “My mum and dad were desperate to go home from day three.”
The trip was meant to be special, as they had saved for a year to introduce Leo to his relatives.
Their booking was made through TUI, who informed them two months before the trip that the hotel was downgraded from their platinum collection, yet assured that the expected five-star facilities remained unchanged.
Following their complaint, the family’s rooms were cleaned, and they were offered an alternative room. They were also offered complimentary beach cabanas with waiter service and a discount voucher as goodwill gestures.
The couple has been battling for a refund from TUI for the cost of their hotel stay but claim the travel company has refused to budge.
The couple are now battling TUI for a refund(Image: Jam Press)
Lucy expressed her frustration, saying: “They said there’s nothing they can do. Their response is disgusting, but I’m not shocked by it. It was our first family holiday, and we were so looking forward to it, but it was horrible.
“I felt terrible for my mum and dad, and I felt responsible because I’d recommended it. My husband is so upset because I’ve got a stale taste in my mouth for Jamaica, and that’s his home country and my son’s heritage.
“He had high expectations of introducing Leo to his family.”
Lucy says she’ll never use TUI again after her experience at the hotel(Image: Jam Press)
“I’ll never use TUI again, “she added. “TUI is the only company that flies from Manchester to Jamaica.”
This trip marked Lucy’s fourth visit to the hotel, which she claims has deteriorated since her last stay in 2021.
She complained: “I’ve always said Jamaica is the best Caribbean island, the people are friendly, it’s authentic and there’s loads to do, but this has put me off.”
TUI declined to comment when approached by Manchester Evening News.
As well as her work on Loose Women, Christine often steps in for Lorraine Kelly on her chat show.
During a recent run as guest host, Christine interviewed Kate Ferdinand – and was quick to ask the former Towie star about life with a blended family and made a rare revelation about her own.
She said: “What do your two little ones think about the big ones in your household?
“Because I know my two little ones, their big sisters walk in, and it’s like god-like female creatures have walked into the house.”
‘Won’t be able to look him in the eye’ – Christine Lampard and MOTD’s Kelly Cates in hysterics over ‘Frank’s hot sauce’
A 90’s TV star looks unrecognisable after swapping lads’ mags for a luxury LA lifestyle.
The fan favourite featured in more than 30 shows – including Big Breakfast.
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This 90s TV star swapped lads’ mags for a glamourous LA lifestyleCredit: Instagram/Dani Behr
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Dani has since embarked on a whole new careerCredit: Getty
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She became a lads’ favourite during the 90’sCredit: Getty
Dani Behr started her career with a brief appearance on the hit school drama series,Grange Hillin 1989.
She went on to be a presenter on Channel 4‘s music show The Word for five years.
Dani became a lads’ favourite and later moved to the US to continue presenting over there.
Following brief stints on I’m A Celebrity and Come Dine With Me, she embarked on a new career as a luxury real estate agent.
In this role, the TV legend lets out and manages property for the Hollywood elite.
Fans may have seen Dani appear on popular show Million Dollar Listing LA.
She married restaurateur Carl Harwin in 2005, having two children, although the two went their separate ways nine years later.
Speaking onWhite Wine Question Time in 2020, she revealed her full time switch to real estate came when on-screen work dried up – around the time of her 2014 divorce.
Dani told Kate Thornton: “They don’t have careers as presenters out here, like back home.
“You’re either a news journalist or a sportscaster or a late night comedian, those were the hosts of all the shows here and I didn’t fit into any of those categories.”
Nineties TV star, 51, looks like she hasn’t aged a day as she strips off to workout gear to show off her abs
She already had ties to real estate industry – with her dad himself working in real estate while her mum is an interior designer.
Dani therefore decided to study for real estate exams in order to obtain a license.
She hosted a podcast titled The Behr Essentials for two years – focusing on her career in property.
CHELSEA goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli has kicked off a row with neighbours after chopping down huge 40ft trees at his Surrey mansion.
The Blues’ stopper was given the go-ahead to extend his luxury pad near the club’s Cobham training ground – complete with a cinema and games room.
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Chelsea goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli has become embroiled in a battle with his neighbourCredit: Rex
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The footy star wants to rip out 40ft trees to extend his luxury padCredit: Getty
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The trees to be axed are reportedly decades oldCredit: Supplied
Planners at the local council told him he could chop down two trees to make way for the proposed development but neighbours say he has razed more to the ground – without permission.
They claim the 30-40ft trees are decades old, although not protected by a Tree Preservation Order, and help prevent overlooking on the leafy estate.
The former Fulham goalkeeper was initially granted planning permission for a front and rear extension including a ground floor family room, kitchen and breakfast room and cinema.
He also wants to demolish a porch and chimney stack and add dormer windows for a fourth bedroom and games room on the second floor.
Documents filed at Elmbridge Borough Council state that building work started last year but has not yet been completed.
Bettinelli, 32, has now submitted amended plans for tree planting and landscaping to allow for the removal of trees.
In a letter of objection, one resident wrote: “The initial proposal for ‘bush and hedge pruning’ turned into the felling of multiple 30ft trees, decades old.
“This has significantly affected local wildlife (there were documented owls nesting) and privacy/light shading of multiple properties around.
“The new proposal to replace four trees is well short of any remedial measure in my view and should be significantly enhanced.”
Chaos at Stamford Bridge as Djurgarden fans jump over barriers and clash in away end against Chelsea
Another neighbour wrote: “More hedging has been removed to erect the fence.
“This was not done by the neighbouring property.
“And versus the previous plan, there is now less commitment to hedging than before.
“As a reminder, 30-40ft trees were cut down without permission.
“There should be no reduction in commitment shown on the plan versus the one before.”
Bettinelli joined Chelsea in 2021 to boost the Blues’ goalkeeping ranks following the departure of Willy Caballero, having been out of contract at Fulham.
He spent a decade at Craven Cottage, making 120 appearances for the Whites and also represented England‘s under-21 team earlier in his career.
The 6ft,4in stopper bought his Cobham pad for £1.5million in September, 2023, before applying for a Grand Designs-style makeover.
In another objection, the local residents’ association said it was “saddened and deeply concerned that the developer, architect and builder have breached the conditions imposed on the allowed application”.
They added: “Mature trees provide benefits to humans and wildlife alike, trees also provide wildlife corridors to and from the surrounding green spaces, woods, commons and heathland of Cobham.
“Trees also provide screening to neighbours’ properties and garden amenity spaces which they should be able to continue the enjoyment of using for everyday activity without the perception of overlooking.”
Council officials are expected to make a decision on the trees later this month.
Bettinelli’s planning agent was approached for comment.
Rules on fences and trees
Fences:
Height Restrictions: In most areas, fences in front gardens should not exceed one metre in height without planning permission. For rear gardens, the limit is generally two metres.
Shared Fences: If a fence is shared with a neighbour, both parties are typically responsible for its maintenance and any costs associated with repairs or replacement.
Building Regulations: Ensure that any new fence complies with local building regulations and does not obstruct visibility for drivers or pedestrians.
Trees:
Ownership: Trees located on your property are your responsibility, including any damage they may cause. Conversely, trees on a neighbour’s property are their responsibility.
Overhanging Branches: You are entitled to trim branches that overhang into your property, but only up to the boundary line. The cut branches should be offered back to the tree owner.
Protected Trees: Some trees are protected by Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs). Check with your local council before undertaking any work on a tree, as unauthorised work can result in fines.
Roots: If tree roots from a neighbour’s tree cause damage to your property, you have the right to remove the roots. However, it is advisable to discuss this with your neighbour first to avoid disputes.
Always consult your local council or a legal adviser for specific regulations and advice.
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Bettinelli snapped up the £1.5million mansion in 2023Credit: Supplied
President Trump has spent the first major overseas trip of his second administration — next stop Wednesday in Qatar — beating back allegations that he was personally profiting from foreign leaders by accepting a $400-million luxury airliner from the Gulf state’s royal family.
Trump has bristled at the notion that he should turn down such a gift, saying he would be “stupid” to do so and that Democrats were “World Class Losers” for suggesting it was not only wrong but also unconstitutional.
But Democrats were hardly alone in criticizing the arrangement as Trump prepared for broad trade discussions in Doha, the Qatari capital.
Several top Republicans in Congress have expressed concerns about the deal, including that the plane would be a security risk. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) on Tuesday said there were “lots of issues associated with that offer which I think need to be further talked about,” and Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), another member of the Republican leadership team, said that Trump and the White House “need to look at the constitutionality” of the deal and that she would be “checking for bugs” on the plane, a clear reference to fears that Qatar may see the jetliner as an intelligence asset.
Criticism of the deal has even arisen among the deep-red MAGA ranks. In an online post echoed by other right-wing influencers in Trump’s orbit, loyalist Laura Loomer wrote that while she would “take a bullet for Trump,” the Qatar deal would be “a stain” on his administration.
The broad outrage in some ways reflected the stark optics of the deal, which would provide Trump with the superluxury Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet — known as the “palace in the sky” — for free, to be transferred to his personal presidential library upon his departure from office.
Accepting a lavish gift from the Persian Gulf nation makes even some stolid Trump allies queasy because of Qatar’s record of abuses against its Shiite Muslim minority and its funding of Hamas, the militant group whose attack on Israel touched off a prolonged war in the region.
Critics have called the deal an out-and-out bribe for future influence by the Qatari royal family, and one that would clearly come due at some point — raising serious questions around the U.S.’ ability to act with its own geopolitical interests in mind in the future, rather than Qatar’s.
Trump and Qatar have rejected that framing but have also deflected questions about what Qatar expects to receive in return for the jet.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, in response to detailed questions from The Times, said in a statement that Trump “is compliant with all conflict-of-interest rules, and only acts in the best interests of the American public — which is why they overwhelmingly re-elected him to this office, despite years of lies and false accusations against him and his businesses from the fake news media.”
Leavitt has previously said it was “ridiculous” for the media to “suggest that President Trump is doing anything for his own benefit,” because he “left a life of luxury and a life of running a very successful real estate empire for public service, not just once, but twice.”
Ali Al-Ansari, media attache at the Qatari Embassy in Washington, did not respond to a request for comment.
Beyond the specific concern about Qatar potentially holding influence over Trump, the jet deal also escalated deeper concerns among critics that Trump, his family and his administration are using their political influence to improperly enrich themselves more broadly — including through the creation of a $Trump cryptocurrency meme coin and a promised Washington dinner for its top investors.
Experts and other critics have for years accused Trump of violating constitutional constraints on the president and other federal officials accepting gifts, or “emoluments,” from foreign states without the express approval of Congress.
During Trump’s first term, allegations that he was flouting the law and using his office to enrich himself — including by maintaining an active stake in his golf courses and former Washington hotel while foreign dignitaries seeking to curry favor with him racked up massive bills there — went all the way to the Supreme Court before being dismissed as moot after he’d been voted out of office.
Since Trump’s return to office, however, concerns over his monetizing the nation’s highest office and the power and influence that come with it have exploded once more — and from disparate corners of the political landscape.
Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), left, speaks with Sen. Katie Britt (R-Ala.) during a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security oversight hearing on May 8, 2025, on Capitol Hill in Washington.
(Julia Demaree Nikhinson / Associated Press)
In a speech last month on the Senate floor, Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) alleged dozens of examples of Trump and others in his family and administration misusing their positions for personal gain — what Murphy called “mind-blowing corruption” in Trump’s first 100 days.
Murphy mentioned, among other examples, the meme coin and dinner; corporations under federal investigation donating millions to Trump’s inaugural fund and those investigations being halted soon after he took office; reports that Trump has sold meetings with him at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida for millions of dollars; and Donald Trump Jr.’s creation of a private Washington club with million-dollar dues and promises of interactions with administration officials.
Murphy also noted Trump’s orders to fire inspectors general and other watchdogs meant to keep an eye out for corruption and pay-to-play tactics in the federal government, and his scaling back of laws meant to discourage it, such as the Foreign Agents Registration Act, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and the Corporate Transparency Act.
“Donald Trump wants to numb this country into believing that this is just how government works. That he’s owed this. That every president is owed this. That government has always been corrupt, and he’s just doing it out in the open,” Murphy said. “But this is not how government works.”
When news of the Qatar jet deal broke, Murphy joined other Democratic colleagues on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in a statement denouncing it.
“Any president who accepts this kind of gift, valued at $400 million, from a foreign government creates a clear conflict of interest, raises serious national security questions, invites foreign influence, and undermines public trust in our government,” the senators wrote. “No one — not even the president — is above the law.”
Other lawmakers — from both parties — have also weighed in.
Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) blasted Trump’s acceptance of the plane as his “lastest con” and a clear attempt by the Qatari government to “curry favor” with him.
“This is why the emoluments clause is in the Constitution to begin with. It was put in there for a reason,” Schiff said. “And the reason was that the founding fathers wanted to make sure that any action taken by the president of the United States, or frankly any other person holding federal public office, wasn’t going to be influenced by getting some big gift.”
Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) said in an interview with MSNBC on Monday that he did not think it was a “good idea” for Trump to accept the jet — which he said wouldn’t “pass the smell test” for many Americans.
Experts and those further out on the American political spectrum agreed.
Erwin Chemerinsky, dean of UC Berkeley School of Law and an expert in constitutional law, said the gift of the jet, “if it is to Trump personally,” clearly violates a provision that precludes the president from receiving any benefit from a foreign country, which America’s founders barred because they were concerned about “foreign governments holding influence over the president.”
Richard Painter, the top White House ethics lawyer under President George W. Bush, said that Trump accepting the jet would be unconstitutional. And he scoffed at the ethics of doing business with a nation that has been criticized as having a bleak human rights record.
“After spending millions helping Hamas build tunnels and rockets, Qatar has enough to buy this emolumental gift for” Trump, Painter wrote on X. “But the Constitution says Congress must consent first.”
Painter criticized the White House justifying the deal by saying that Atty. Gen. Pam Bondi had “signed off” on it, given Bondi’s past work for the Qatari government, and said he knew of no precedent for a president receiving a lavish gift without the approval of Congress. He noted that Ambassador Benjamin Franklin received a diamond-encrusted snuff box from France’s King Louis XVI, but only with the OK from Congress.
Robert Weissman, co-president of the progressive nonprofit Public Citizen, said that it was unclear whether Trump would heed the cautionary notes coming from within his own party, but that the Republican-controlled Congress should nonetheless vote on whether the jet was a proper gift for him to receive.
“If the members of Congress think this is fine, then they can say so,” Weissman said, “and the voters can hold them accountable.”
Daily Wire co-founder Ben Shapiro, a prominent backer of Trump, criticized the deal on his podcast Monday, saying that Trump supporters would “all be freaking out” if Trump’s predecessor, Joe Biden, had accepted it.
“President Trump promised to drain the swamp,” Shapiro said. “This is not, in fact, draining the swamp.”
When vacationing in Los Angeles, you can truly choose your own adventure.
Those in search of luxury can stay in a five-star hotel, sleeping on a plush bed, soaking in a deep bath tub and lounging on a balcony with sweeping mountain views. But, among the mountains that surround L.A., a different kind of luxury is within reach. There you can sleep above the clouds, swim in deep river pools and watch the sun set over the same mountains seen from those nearby hotel balconies. And often, it’s free.
L.A.’s proximity to public lands offers the unique opportunity to slip away for a weekend backpacking trip with ease. In the same day, you could savor breakfast tacos in Grand Central Market and fall asleep under the stars at your campsite. In fact, in under an hour’s drive, you can start a hike to one of around 20 backpacking sites in Angeles National Forest or the Santa Monica Mountains.
But it can be hard to know where to start. Backpacking, unlike camping, requires you to be entirely self-reliant. If you forget your toothbrush, there’s no 7-Eleven or camp store nearby to save you. It also means leaving behind certain luxuries, like a campground host to sell you firewood or the ability to pack every possible Trader Joe’s snack in your car. Everything you need must fit in your pack.
Not to worry, I’ve put together a comprehensive guide to becoming a competent — perhaps even expert — backpacker. It includes both a list of how to plan ahead to ensure you’re safe and ready, a curated list of backpacking sites near L.A. organized by the difficulty of the hike to reach them and how much “roughing it” each site requires.
I chose these spots, in part, because you don’t have to drive too far, they’re all first come, first served, the roads to reach them are paved and trails to reach each site are generally well-maintained. They’re also delightful hikes on their own, featuring wildflowers, native trees and loads of local birds and other critters. Each spot is isolated enough to make you feel like you’re outside the city without being so devoid of human life that it feels like you’re auditioning for the next season of “Naked and Afraid.”
Before diving in, though, let’s go over how to set yourself up for success when seeking sanctuary in our local mountains.
Unlike car camping, where you can pack every sweater, blanket and spoon you could imagine needing into your trunk, backpacking requires you to be selective. That is, unless you plan to carry 100 pounds of gear through the forest. What you will need to be self-sufficient will vary, and there are many great lists to guide you in what gear to bring, but I’ll run through the absolute necessities.
First, plan to bring enough calories to get you through your stay in the woods. It is generally recommended to pack between 1.5 to 2.5 pounds of food (2,500 to 4,500 calories) per day. (There’s a handy calculator here to determine your body weight, level of activity and amount of calories you’ll need.)
For the majority of the sites listed below, you will either need to bring your water or treat your water, for which there are several options. When it comes to the amount of water to bring, it will depend on the weather, your body’s preferences and the difficulty of the hike you’re taking to reach your campground. Some suggest one liter of water for every two hours you’ll hike, while others say it’s one liter of water for every five miles you’re traveling.
Campfires are not allowed on federal land in the Santa Monica Mountains. In Angeles National Forest, the fire danger level dictates when and what types of fire and fuel sources are allowed. As of this spring, the risk is “very high,” down from “extreme,” which means burning campfires in established fire pits and using most backpacking stoves is allowed. Before heading out, make sure you register for a California campfire permit, print it and have it on your person. It is required, regardless of wildfire risk.
Lastly, assume you won’t have cell service in Angeles National Forest or the Santa Monica Mountains, where the below campgrounds are located. You should fill out this form and share it with a friend, spouse or family member to ensure someone knows where you’re going. Also be sure to leave a copy on your vehicle’s window in case a rescue team needs to look for you. It’s important that you know where the closest fire or law enforcement station is to your campground — Angeles National Forest has a handful.
You should consider bringing a satellite communicator. Some newer model iPhones and Android devices can connect to satellites to send text messages. It’s best to test this while on a hike before planning to use it on a backpacking trip.
Getting there
Before heading out, check the weather and for road closures. Download your driving and hiking routes on your navigation apps. For example, Google Maps allows you to download a section of a map to use offline.
You should also bring a paper map. You can buy one at an outdoors outfitter or print one from a mapping site like CalTopo. I’ve downloaded a map from CalTopo and then printed it on waterproof paper at a FedEx office store. Having a physical map of the area will also allow you to see and navigate nearby trails, should you want to explore beyond your campsite.
(Marie Doazan for The Times)
For the seasoned car camper who’s backpacking-curious (beginner)
At each of these beginner-level backpacking sites, you will generally find water, either from a nearby stream or, in one spot, piped in. Their campsites feature picnic tables and have restrooms (including, in one case, flushing toilets!). The hikes to reach these two trail camps are short and, as a bonus, quite pleasant. You’ll likely spot wildflowers, including lupines and goldenrod, and you’ll be near trails to explore more, should you choose to venture out of your haven in the woods.
Cooper Canyon Trail Camp
The Cooper Canyon Trail Camp in Angeles National Forest.
(Jaclyn Cosgrove / Los Angeles Times)
The Cooper Canyon Trail Camp is a backcountry group campground shaded by towering old pine trees. It has five sites and features vault toilets, campfire rings, klamath stoves and large picnic tables. And unlike most of the spots on this list, bear-proof boxes are available to store food and scented items.
There is no piped water. Campers can pack in water, or filter water from the seasonal stream that flows next to the campground. Just over a mile east of the campground, this stream meets up with Little Rock Creek, which flows about 17 miles from the San Gabriel Mountains to the Mojave Desert. Cold plunges are optional but highly encouraged.
The trail camp can be reached three main ways:
Starting at the Cloudburst Summit trailhead, taking the Pacific Crest Trail mostly downhill 2.5 miles northeast to the trail camp.
Starting at the Cloudburst Summit trailhead, taking the fire road 1.5 miles down to the trail camp.
Starting at the Burkhart trailhead from the day use parking lot on the eastern end of the Buckhorn Campground. You will hike 1.5 miles north on a downhill path and then turn west onto the Pacific Crest Trail (also a part of the Silver Moccasin Trail). You will travel one mile uphill, gaining about 540 feet in elevation, before reaching the trail camp. (This is the most challenging of the three routes.)
Because it sits along the Pacific Crest Trail, the campground is also used by thru-hikers, including those taking the entire trail from Mexico to Canada. Perhaps you’ll make a new friend!
While at the campground, you could take a side trip to Cooper Canyon falls, or continue exploring the Pacific Crest Trail. Or, simply hang up a hammock and sway to the sound of the stream, songbirds and the gentle swoosh of the wind through the trees. Cooper Canyon has long been a beloved place to spend nights outdoors.
“If there is a moon, the nights are like a sparkling fairyland, and if no moon, one may see a million stars which those in the cities never know,” outdoorsman Will Thrall wrote of the area in 1936 in his Times column, “Your Hike Today.”
L.A. and its surrounding area have substantially more light pollution almost 90 years later, but the skies above Cooper Canyon Trail Camp will still delight any overnight visitor.
Musch Trail Camp
Musch Trail Camp is a small but charming campground in Topanga State Park that recently reopened after being spared by the Palisades fire.
The 82-acre Trippet Ranch, as it is known today, was originally called “Rancho Las Lomas Celestiales” by its owner Cora Larimore Trippet, a founding member of the Hollywood Bowl and once a national officer in the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union, according to her obituary and the Valley Relics Museum. She was married to judge Oscar A. Trippet.
The Musch Trail Camp is a small but charming site in Topanga State Park.
(Jaclyn Cosgrove / Los Angeles Times)
The property’s name translates to “Ranch of Heavenly Hills,” which still rings true today. You’ll hike the moderate Musch Trail from the Trippet Ranch parking lot of Topanga State Park, feasting your eyes on those aforementioned hills. In spring, the area will be dotted with wild blooms of sticky monkey flower, canyon sunflower and golden yarrow.
Unlike every other site on this list, Musch Trail Camp has flush toilets, sinks and potable water. What a luxury! The only caveat is, per a park staffer I spoke with, maintenance staff turns the water on when they know campers are coming. Before heading out, please call the Angeles District of California State Parks at (818) 880-0363 to ask them to have the water turned on.
On top of having potable water, it’s only a mile hike to reach this site. You’ll park in the Trippet Ranch lot in Topanga State Park and pay the parking fee ($10 per night). The trailhead is in the northeast corner of the lot near the small pond. Enjoy the lush flora along the way. Upon arrival, drop your camping fee ($7 per night) in the iron ranger.
While at the campground, I felt a bit like Snow White as I sat quietly observing quail, hummingbirds and moles, and heard something crunching on a leafy meal (probably a deer). Though this little nook in Topanga State Park is likely safe from evil queens.
(Marie Doazan for The Times)
Our intermediate sites are a bit farther to reach than the beginner options, and in one case, requires you to bring your own water. They both have picnic tables and tall shade trees where you can rest with a book or journal. They also both have vault toilets and, when I visited, were even stocked with toilet paper. Both allowed me alone time with nature that’s rare to find on L.A.’s more heavily trafficked urban trails. The surrounding hillsides and old trees were excellent company in themselves, and made me feel at peace. I hope you find a similar serenity on your travels!
Valley Forge Trail Camp
The Valley Forge Trail Camp is a refreshing refuge of mighty pines next to the pristine West Fork of the San Gabriel River. It has six group campsites with picnic tables and campfire rings, and has four well-maintained vault toilets. At night, it offers clear views of the starry sky.
One of a handful of sites at the Valley Forge Trail Camp in Angeles National Forest.
(Jaclyn Cosgrove / Los Angeles Times)
It has all those things. But it does not have piped water. Campers will need to either bring their own or treat the water in the river (when flowing).
To reach the campground, you have the choice of two routes:
Parking at the Red Box Picnic Area and taking the Gabrielino National Recreation Trail about 2.4 miles down. This moderate hike follows the West Fork of the San Gabriel River and features large oak trees and other gorgeous native foliage.
Parking at Red Box Picnic Area and taking the Rincon Red Box Road, a fire road, about 3.2 miles down. On the way back, you’ll gain about 1,200 feet in elevation.
And as a bonus, because both routes start near the Red Box Picnic Area, you can take one up and one down if you’d like a change of scenery on the way back.
The campsite’s name is a reference to the Valley Forge Lodge, which operated in the area in the early 1900s. It was advertised as “the camp with real old Western hospitality” and featured dinner dances, badminton and trout fishing. Its guest list included celebrities like actor Lon Chaney, “the man of a thousand faces,” who in the summer of 1927 was among those lucky enough to catch trout.
The sunset from the trail to reach the Valley Forge Trail Camp.
(Jaclyn Cosgrove / Los Angeles Times)
Even though the lodge is gone, its description in a 1937 advertisement holds true: “Cool and delightfully wooden location” with bubbling streams. These days the trout are few, but you’ll fall asleep listening to the nearby frogs and toads serenading the night from their river homes.
Sulphur Springs Trail Camp
Sulphur Springs Trail Camp sits at 5,300 feet in Angeles National Forest and features about six tent-camping sites. Just off the Pacific Crest Trail, its campsites are shaded by tall pine trees, ideal for hanging a hammock. It has vault toilets but no potable water or bear boxes.
Although the South Fork of Little Rock Creek runs through the campground, the water was, to use a scientific term, kind of gross. Portions of the creek appeared clear, but other parts were full of algae and made me question whether even filtering would make the water safe to drink.
There’s a faucet on the eastern end of the campground where water from the creek is piped, but upon my arrival, the trough where the water came out was covered in thick green algae. A sign next to it reads “Water not tested, Boil for 5 minutes before use.” Although there might be water available in late winter and early spring, I would not expect there to be much come summer. And even then, I will still plan to bring my own water.
The sites at Sulphur Springs Trail Camp in Angeles National Forest feature picnic tables and fire pits, along with tall pine and other native trees.
(Jaclyn Cosgrove / Los Angeles Times)
To reach the campground, you’ll park at Three Points and cross the street to access the trailhead. There was a large tree blocking my view of the trailhead when I visited in early April, but upon squinting at my map, I found it. I hope it’s cleared when you go!
Sulphur Springs Trail Camp
You’ll take the Pacific Crest Trail about 3.6 miles to reach the trail camp. There are several boulders in the first mile of the hike, including one area where you can scramble about just under half a mile in. Be mindful of rattlesnakes, as it looks like the perfect spot for them to nap.
The trail seems to transverse through an ecotone, a transitional zone between plant communities, switching between high desert and pine forest ecosystems. You’ll pass through patches of manzanita and yucca and then forested parts with Coulter pines, all the while with a view of the valley below.
When I left the trail camp late in the day, the golden sun blanketed the tree-lined mountainsides. I was reminded of just how many shades of green can be seen when one takes time to explore — to escape — into the forest. It was a five-star experience.
(Marie Doazan for The Times)
For those seeking self-sufficiency — and a break from noisy neighbors (advanced)
The campsites below are the farthest hikes on the list, but both of the hikes to reach them are spectacular. One provides tremendous ocean views while the other is a stunning paved path through the dense forest. As a bonus, you can bike to the second site if bikepacking is something you’re into.
The only amenity both offer is a picnic table. One site does have a single vault toilet.
That said, these two sites are a true escape, and you’ll likely see wildlife like mule deer and hear the howls of coyotes.
La Jolla Walk-In Campsite
The La Jolla Walk-In Campsite is a small campground in dense chaparral in Point Mugu State Park in the Santa Monica Mountains. It has three small sites featuring a picnic table with a metal box attached for food and scented items. There is a seasonal stream, but it’s often dry. Campers should plan to pack water in. There are no fires allowed and unfortunately dogs are not invited to join. It costs just $10 per night, a fee campers prepay at the La Jolla/Ray Miller parking area.
The campground is half a mile off the Backbone Trail in the Santa Monica Mountains, offering an overnight option for those wanting to tackle more of the iconic trail than can be accomplished in a day.
You can reach the campground by parking at the lot off Highway 1. Although it’s possible to leave your car outside the park for a day hike, parking isn’t allowed on the shoulder daily from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.
The campsites at La Jolla Walk-In Campsite are rustic but provide privacy and clear views of the night sky.
(Jaclyn Cosgrove / Los Angeles Times)
You’ll start at the Ray Miller Trailhead, named after California State Park’s first official campground host, and take the route, also known as the Backbone Trail, about 4.6 miles before turning west onto the La Jolla Valley Fire Road, which will take you the half mile to the trail camp.
The scenery along the way is stunning and diverse. For the first 2.5 miles of the hike, you’ll be rewarded with better and better ocean views as you gain elevation, including two miles in when you can see a gorgeous stretch of coast line.
You will transition from the Ray Miller Trail to the Overlook Fire Road — all still the Backbone Trail — about 2.6 miles in. At this point, you’ll mostly lose the ocean view but be greeted by a diversity of local plants, including wildflowers like spreading phlox, and varieties of poppies, lupines and paintbrushes.
La Jolla Walk-In Campsite
This trail camp is also reachable by starting at the Chumash Trail, but given that trail’s steepness, this reporter isn’t advising that as an option for backpackers. (Even if it is a shorter route to reach the campground.)
Glenn Camp Campground
The Glenn Camp Campground is a 10-site forested haven next to the West Fork of the San Gabriel River. It is open year round and features picnic tables, grills and fire pits.
There is no piped water. Campers will need to either bring their own or filter water from the nearby river.
The Glenn Camp Campground in the San Gabriel Mountains in Angeles National Forest.
(Jaclyn Cosgrove / Los Angeles Times)
The restrooms are, unfortunately, closed until further notice. You’ll need to relieve yourself ideally 200 feet from the river, especially when you have to — hey, let’s just say it! — poop. You’ll want to bring a trowel, and have a plan for toilet paper. (This how-to video is worth watching before heading out) The best practice is to pack it out. If you plan to use natural elements for wiping, make sure you know what poison ivy and other unfriendly plants look like. Not something you want to explain to the doctor at urgent care!
A deer stands on the bank of the West Fork of the San Gabriel River near the Glenn Camp Campground.
(Jaclyn Cosgrove / Los Angeles Times)
This campground was previously open only on the weekends because of nearby construction, but that restriction has ended.
To reach the campground, you can either hike or bike the seven-mile West Fork National Scenic Bikeway. You will gain just over 500 feet in elevation as you travel along this mostly paved path that runs parallel to the West Fork of the San Gabriel River. After a good rain, waterfalls run down the hillsides next to the path. Yes, it is as heavenly as it sounds.
The campground sits next to the river and is shaded by old-growth trees, including at least one you could climb into and read a book. Yeah, that’s freedom!
Remember
In a world where our phones can quickly provide us with anything we’re willing to pay a delivery fee for, backpacking can offer a necessary reset for our over-reliance on technology. Stepping away into the L.A. mountains, you’ll be greeted with a sound bath from crickets and birds as the smell of pine, sage and bay laurel fills your nostrils. It is an opportunity to be present with yourself and those around you, and worry yourself only with questions of whether someone should throw another log on the fire. Deep bathtub be damned, that sense of presence is the greatest luxury of all.
Democrats and good government advocates say it is unethical and likely unconstitutional for Trump to accept.
The United States is discussing an offer from the royal family of Qatar to supply a luxury jumbo jet for use as a presidential plane.
US President Donald Trump’s administration has signalled that it plans to accept the Boeing 747-8 airliner to serve as a temporary replacement for Air Force One. The news has provoked warnings from critics that accepting the plane would be unethical.
Qatar denied in a statement that the plane would be a gift, saying the transfer of the aircraft for “temporary use” was under discussion.
Spokesperson Ali Al-Ansari said the offer was still under consideration by Qatar’s Ministry of Defence and the US Department of Defense and “no decision has been made”.
However, in a post on his social media site Truth Social late on Sunday, Trump appeared to confirm that he intends to accept the plane as a gift.
At a cost of about $400m, it would be one of the most valuable gifts ever received by the US government.
“So the fact that the Defense Department is getting a GIFT, FREE OF CHARGE, of a 747 aircraft to replace the 40 year old Air Force One, temporarily, in a very public and transparent transaction, so bothers the Crooked Democrats that they insist we pay, TOP DOLLAR, for the plane,” the Republican president wrote.
Democrats and good government advocates said accepting the plane as a gift would be unethical and likely unconstitutional.
“Nothing says ‘America First’ like Air Force One, brought to you by Qatar,” Chuck Schumer, leader of the Democrats in the Senate, wrote on X.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt rejected such claims.
“Any gift given by a foreign government is always accepted in full compliance with all applicable laws. President Trump’s administration is committed to full transparency,” she said.
Trump toured the Qatari-owned 747-8 in February when it was parked at Palm Beach International Airport in Florida near his Mar-a-Lago resort.
At the time, the White House said the president did so to get a better understanding of how the updated Air Force One planes would be configured.
Al-Ansari said the proposed arrangement involves Qatar donating the luxury jet to the US government for use as Air Force One during Trump’s presidency.
The aircraft would then be transferred to the Donald J Trump Presidential Library upon his departure from office, according to reports in the US media.
Trump is to visit Qatar during a trip to the Gulf this week. The airplane will not be presented or accepted while Trump is in Qatar.
