Photo: Arrowhead Spring Water
Editor’s Note: This feature is presented by our partners at Arrowhead Water.
Los Angeles has been linked with surfing since Hawaiians brought the sport to its beaches in the early 1900s, and arguably no other city has popularized the sport as much as L.A. has — through songs, television, and plenty of movies.
While those iconic beaches remain wave-catching hotspots, they’re also in the shadow of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area – the largest urban national park in the world!
So when the waves aren’t looking good, slip into some hiking boots and check out these stunning trails a stone’s throw from the Pacific Ocean.
Hiking in SoCal can get hot, so it’s always a great idea to stay hydrated. Photo: Arrowhead Spring Water
1.) MUGU PEAK
Just off the Pacific Coast Highway, right before the Point Mugu Naval Base, pull off into a nondescript dirt parking area and start a steep climb up the Chumash Trail. This is one of the quickest, steepest climbs in the Santa Monica Mountains, but it doesn’t last long – in no time, you’ll crest and enter the rolling grasslands of La Jolla Valley. Stay left on the Mugu Peak Trail to the La Jolla Valley Loop, then use the cut-off to head south on the Valley Connector Trail and approach Mugu Peak from the south, where the climb is a little easier to manage.
- Difficulty: Moderately Strenuous
- Length: 5.2-mile loop
- Restrooms: No
- Dog-Friendly: No
- Parking: There’s a small dirt lot at the trailhead.
Los Angeles is known for its crowds, but if you put in a little effort, you can still find plenty of space. Photo: Arrowhead
2.) LA JOLLA CANYON
The trailhead for La Jolla Canyon is just across from the coast access at La Jolla Beach (and nearby Thornhill Broome Campground), and this long but fairly easy loop trail is a terrific introduction to the Santa Monica Mountains, especially in the spring when flowers are blooming and (given enough precipitation) ephemeral waterfalls are flowing. At the Ray Miller Trailhead, head in on the Ray Miller Trail as it switchbacks up the coastal incline, joining the Overlook Fire Road as it heads north. Soak in the views of interior Point Mugu State Park before backtracking on the La Jolla Valley Loop and La Jolla Canyon Trails.
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Length: 7.5-mile loop
- Restrooms: Yes
- Dog-Friendly: No
- Parking: Paid parking inside Point Mugu State Park or free parking on the PCH (may require a walk).
Point Mugu State Park is filled with broad, expansive vistas. Photo: Ivy Mike
3.) SERRANO CANYON
This rolling loop through the southern stretches of Point Mugu State Park takes you into the interior of the Boney Mountain State Wilderness, with absolutely epic views of Boney Ridge and Sandstone Peak. From the Sycamore Canyon Beach and Trailhead, head north on the Sycamore Canyon Fire Road, then head east on the Serrano Canyon Trail, which follows an arroyo drainage through lovely oak forests spared by recent fires. This turns north and climbs out of the valleys into a sweeping meadow. From here, a network of connector trails meets the Serrano Valley Loop Trail. Enjoy and head back the way you came in.
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Length: 8.8-mile lollipop loop
- Restrooms: Yes
- Dog-Friendly: No
- Parking: Paid parking inside Mount Mugu State Park or free parking on the PCH (may require a walk).
Sandstone Peak rises steeply above Santa Monica. Photo: Creative Commons
4.) SANDSTONE PEAK
This one’s a short drive from the coastline, but it’s the highest point in the Santa Monica Mountains … and it also just happens to be one of the best trails in all of California. For the best route, start at the Sandstone Peak Trailhead and make a climb up the Sandstone Peak Trail. At the intersection with the Backbone Trail, keep to the right to make a counter-clockwise loop on the Mishe Mokwa Trail, which takes you through a variety of spectacular Southern California terrain, including boulders split in two, shady creeks hidden by oak trees, and a house-sized rock balanced on a narrow rest. The Mishe Mokwa re-joins the Backbone Trail – head east toward Inspiration Point and Sandstone Peak itself, which is reachable via a short and fun scramble.
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Length: 6.1-mile loop
- Restrooms: Yes
- Dog-Friendly: Yes
- Parking: There is a medium-sized dirt lot with a port-a-potty at the Sandstone Peak trailhead and a smaller overflow dirt lot at the Mishe Mokwa trailhead. Both fill up fast.
Hikers pause to take in the Los Angeles skyline. Photo: Arrowhead
5.) NICHOLAS FLAT
Across the PCH from Leo Carrillo Beach, a steep climb takes you into the coastal range for a series of sweeping viewpoints, a hidden backcountry meadowland, and an ephemeral pond that can fill up in wet seasons for the perfect picnic backdrop. Start off on the Nicolas Flat Trail with a steep climb up from the Visitor Center. Take a short side trip to the Leo Carrillo Viewpoint and stay on the Nicholas Flat Trail at the junction with the Nicholas Ridge Trail. Take in the views of distant Sandstone Peak, the grassy meadows before you, the coastline below, and even the Channel Islands on clear days. Take the Nicholas Pond Trail to a lovely picnic bench near that sometimes-pond, then loop back on the Nicholas Flat and Nicholas Ridge Trails.
- Difficulty: Difficult
- Length: 6.9-mile lollipop loop
- Restrooms: Yes
- Dog-Friendly: No
- Parking: There is paid parking inside Leo Carrillo State Park and free parking along the PCH.
Meadow magic at Charmlee Wilderness Park. Photo: Creative Commons
6.) CHARMLEE WILDERNESS PARK
Malibu’s Charmlee Wilderness Park provides an easy, gentle stroll through coastal oak and sage scrub with reliable spring wildflowers and truly epic views on the long Pacific coastline above Robert H. Meyer Memorial State Beach all the way down to Point Dume. There is a dense network of easy trails and old ranch roads in this park, and you’ll get most of the highlights if you hug the perimeter on the Botany, East Meadow, Charmlee Meadow, Clyde Canyon, and Kouba Trails. This park also features a great nature center and terrific guided hikes, including morning, sunrise, and full moon treks. Check with the City of Malibu for more info.
- Difficulty: Easy
- Length: 2.8-mile loop
- Restrooms: Yes
- Dog-Friendly: No
- Parking: There is paid parking at Charmlee Wilderness Park.
Stairs descend to the shoreline at Point Dume Nature Preserve. Photo: Courtesy of California State Parks, 2024
7.) POINT DUME
Just above the Point Dume surf spot, you can take a short walk from Cliffside Drive (or a short climb up from the beach) to take a stroll on the small cape that shelters Dume Cove from the larger Santa Monica Bay. The Coreopsis Loop Trail is named for a rare endemic flower that grows here, and looks like an odd yellow bloom straight out of a Doctor Seuss illustration. Combine this with the Hilltop Trail to cover the entire small park, enjoying some of the best (and most accessible) beach views in the region.
- Difficulty: Easy
- Length: 1.5-mile loop
- Restrooms: No
- Dog-Friendly: No
- Parking: Two-hour street parking available near the trailhead.
Escondido Falls tumbles through damp moss for a cool, refreshing stop. Photo: Kenneth Moore
8.) ESCONDIDO FALLS
Want to take a break from the beach to check out the tallest waterfall in the Santa Monica Mountains? If it’s winter or spring – and if the region has had a decent amount of rainfall — head to the Winding Way Trailhead to check out Escondido Falls. You’ll have to start by walking along the residential street of the same name, then take the signed Waterfall Trail down to the floor of Escondido Canyon, then head north to follow the water.
Enjoy the dense fields of black sage and towering old-growth oak and sycamore trees before you reach the base of Escondido Falls. There is an unofficial, rough use trail that climbs above the first fall to a second cascade, but the route is unmaintained and significantly rougher, so go at your own risk.
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Length: 4-mile out and back
- Restrooms: Yes
- Dog-Friendly: Yes
- Parking: There’s a very small parking area near the Winding Way Trailhead. Overflow parking available on the PCH.
Malibu Lagoon is great for casual walks in the sand. Photo: Shinya Suzuki
9.) MALIBU LAGOON
Give your legs a nice stretch, catch some of the best birdwatching in SoCal, snag some snacks on the pier, and even take a tour of a stunning historic mansion on this easy and gentle walking tour near Malibu Lagoon State Beach. From the State Beach parking area, stroll along the Malibu Lagoon Trail to skirt the edges of the rich estuary where Malibu Creek meets the Pacific Ocean. The route crosses the lagoon on the California Coastal Trail toward world-famous Surfrider Beach. Continue along the beach as far as you’d like – it’s a short, scenic walk to Malibu Pier or you can pop into the Adamson House and Malibu Lagoon Museum for some unique tiled architecture and history of the region, too.
- Difficulty: Easy
- Length: 2-mile out and back
- Restrooms: Yes
- Dog-Friendly: No
- Parking: There’s paid parking at Malibu Lagoon State Beach or free parking along the PCH.
A wide ocean view from the Los Leones Trail. Photo: Creative Commons
10.) PARKER MESA
Step away from Will Rogers or Sunset Beach and wind the roads of Pacific Palisades to the Los Liones Trail (yes, we know it should be Leones, but it’s not). This popular westside route starts out on a narrow, winding single track before meeting up with a wide fire road in Topanga State Park. You’ll follow the road up, getting ever-better views of the city and the Santa Monica Bay down to Palos Verdes. Take the Parker Mesa Overlook Trail to one of the best viewpoints in the mountain range, with clear views of almost the entirety of L.A.’s coastline.
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Length: 7.3-mile out and back
- Restrooms: Yes
- Dog-Friendly: No
- Parking: The street parking is limited along Los Liones Drive north of Sunset Boulevard.
