LA Hikes

A guide to my favorite hikes in the LA area.

Mesa Peak Motorway

Lookout Trail

Paradise Falls

Topanga Lookout Trail

Cistern Trail

Point Dume Natural Preserve

San Antonio Falls

Sandstone Peak

Cistern Trail

Cistern Trail to Lookout Trail - Crags Rd
27800 Mulholland Highway, Augora Hills, CA 91301

Out & Back
-Moderate Difficulty Level - Steep & rocky at parts. Definitely a good workout, but never feels unsafe.
-Not technically dog-friendly but I go early.
-Parking is a dirt turnout on side of Mulholland Hwy
-Great hike for sunrise, as the clouds roll East off the coast.
-You'll see water, mountains, graffiti, and lots of flowers during Spring time!

Head up from trail sign to where the graffiti platform sits. Continue trail until first fork & take a sharp left where the sign reads "Lookout Trail Crags Rd." This trail is out & back & connects to more of the Malibu Creek State Park trails. I like to go as far as the Century Lake Dam lookout and back for a nice 4 mile hike!

Charmless Wilderness Park

Ocean Overlook Trail to Bench

2577 Encinal Canyon Rd, Malibu, CA

Out & Back
There are lots of trails to choose from in Charmlee Wilderness Park. My go-to is the Ocean Overlook Trail up to the bench (head East from the water after finishing along the ocean edge, take the steep hill in front of you and turn left when you come to the fork. You'll find the bench pretty soon after you turn!) Heading back to the entrance after stopping at the bench will be about 4 miles round-trip.

-Moderate Difficulty Level - Will give you a workout but plenty of flat areas to catch your breath.
-Dog-Friendly
-Free Parking Area 

Zuma Ocean View Trail

Zuma Ocean and Canyon View Trail
5721 Bonsall Dr, Malibu, CA

4 Mile Loop
-Moderate Difficulty Level - Do not attempt right after rain, the trail becomes too slippery and steep to manage! 
-Dog-Friendly
-Free Parking
-Seasonal waterfalls (if you're lucky!), canyon mountains with ocean views, wildlife, and beautiful trees. Popular trail for horseback riding.

Circle X Ranch

Grotto & Canyon View Trails
12896 Yerba Buena Rd, Malibu, CA 

2.5 Mile Out & Back
-Moderate Difficulty Level - Narrow and steep at parts.
-Dog-Friendly
-Free Parking
-Waterfall, rock pools, variety of mountain views.

Yellow Hill Fire Road

Yellow Hill Fire Road Mountain Biking Trail
Yellow Hill Fire Road, Malibu, CA

Out & Back
-Easy-Difficult - Out & back trail with many different routes for all levels.
-Dog-Friendly
-Free Parking (Dirt area off Yerba Buena where Yellow Hill Fire Rd begins.)
-Panoramic ocean views, islands, trees, rocky mountains, valleys.

Sandstone Peak

Tallest Point in the Santa Monica Mountains
12896 Yerba Buena Road, Malibu, CA

Out & Back
-Moderate Difficulty Level - Steep and long.
-Dog-Friendly
-Free Parking

Take a left at first split following Backbone Trail for a short, one mile, but very steep ascent up to Sandstone Peak. Or, take a right at first split following Mishe Mokwa Trail for a 6 mile loop, Sandstone peak will be about a mile before returning to lot!

Paradise Falls

Wildwood Regional Park
928 West Avenida De Los Arboles, Wildwood Regional Park, Thousand Oaks, CA

2.5 Mile Loop
-Easy
-Dog-Friendly
-Free Parking
-Waterfall, mountains, plants, tide pools, caves, teepee

Topanga Lookout Trail

Graffitied Ledge
23300 Saddle Peak Road, Topanga, CA

2 Miles Out & Back
-Easy
-Dog-Friendly
-Free Parking
-Mountains, ocean, graffiti

Tuna Canyon Trails

Tuna Canyon Park
2807 Tuna Canyon Road, Topanga Canyon, CA

Out & Back
No matter which trails you explore, the views will be epic! Some of the trails are surprisingly steep but you will know before you descend. Getting back up those trails can be difficult & exhausting so be sure to bring lots of water!

-Dog-Friendly
-Free Parking
-Mountain, ocean, views of Malibu Pier & the coast.

Mesa Peak

Mesa Peak Motorway
301 Corral Canyon Road, Malibu, CA

Out & Back
-Not technically dog-friendly
-Free Parking
-Rock mountains, caves, labyrinth, ocean views

For an easier trail: Park at trailhead address on the side of the road and take the dirt trail past the gate.
For a more challenging trail: Drive all the way until the road ends and begin hike headed towards the ocean.

Zuma Ridge Trail

Zuma Ridge Motorway
End of Busch Drive, Malibu, CA

5.4 Miles Out & Back
-Difficult - This trail is a consistent and steep incline, rough & rocky terrain at parts.
-Dog-Friendly
-Free Parking
-This is one of the many trails by Zuma Beach that all intertwine! Hike 2.7 miles up Zuma Ridge Trail & you'll reach Edison Rd. This trail is out & back unless you desire a 10.6 mile loop --> Zuma Edison Rd --> Zuma Trailhead --> Ridge Cyn Access Trail back to Busch Trailhead.

Zuma Edison Rd

via Kanan Dume Rd
Zuma Edison Rd, Malibu, CA

Out & Back
-Moderate Difficult Level - Steady & steep pace
-Dog-Friendly
-Free Parking, cut out on Kanan Dume Rd
-Panoramic ocean/mountain views

Nicholas Flat

Via Decker School Rd

3.5 Mile Loop
-Dog-Friendly
-Free Parking at end of Decker School Rd (can also hike from Leo Carrillo State Park for longer hike)
-Ocean/canyon views with a pond & rocks to climb around it!

Leo Carrillo State Park

35000 E Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA

Park Trails
-Dog-Friendly trails but no dogs on beach on Malibu side (Dog-friendly beach on Ventura side - follow signs for dog beach!)
-Free on PCH or paid lot
-Surfers, cliffs, rocks, tide pools, lifeguard towers, staircases, trails, dog beach (Ventura side)

Point Dume Natural Preserve

Cliffside Drive, Malibu, CA

Park Trails
-Not Dog-Friendly
-Free Parking (Limited spots next to park entrance, street parking on Grasswood Ave - take notice of street signs)
-Cliffs, coves, walkways, stairways, beaches (Point Dume Beach, Little Dume Beach), benches, whales, seals & more!!

Malibu Bluffs Park

24250 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA

Park Trails w/ Hiking Trails
-Dog-Friendly
-Free Parking Lot
-Baseball Field, Skatepark, Soccer Field, Playground, Workout Equipment, Benches, Binoculars, Trails for all!

The Point at the Bluffs

Flat neighborhood street adjacent to bluffs overlooking PCH 
301 N Mt Holyoke Ave, Pacific Palisades, CA

Neighborhood 
-Dog-Friendly
-Free Parking
-Panoramic ocean views, tree swings, benches

Inspiration Point

Will Rogers State Park
1501 Will Rogers State Park Road, Pacific Palisades, CA 

2.2 mile loop
-Easy 
-Dog and Horse-Friendly!
-Paid lot or street parking down the road
-City views, ocean views, picnic benches with inspirational quotes, mountain biking, horseback riding & more!

Latigo Canyon

First cutout heading east from PCH on Latigo Cyn (left side of Rd)

Out & Back
-Moderate Difficulty Level - Steep
-Dog-Friendly
-Free Parking (side of road)
-Benches, city views, houses, succulents, panoramic overlook

Escondido Falls

Great Waterfall, Below Average Hike
27807 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA

3.8 Mile Out & Back - First mile is paved street.
-Easy
-Dog-Friendly
-Paid Lot or Free PCH Parking

Newton Canyon Falls to Upper Zuma Falls

Upper Zuma Falls via Backbone Trail from Kanan Rd Trailhead
1689 Kanan Dume Rd, Malibu, CA

6 Mile Out & Back
-Dog-Friendly
-Free Parking Lot
-Canyon views & 3 waterfalls! First waterfall is right at the first junction over the cliff. To get to second waterfall (Newton Canyon Falls) just follow the Backbone Trail until you reach the stream & follow the water! You will definitely get wet if you want to see these falls. Continue on the backbone trail to Upper Zuma Falls.

To do shorter hike (3 miles total - 1.5 mi to Upper Falls & back): Park at first cut out on left of Kanan heading north (away from Malibu) after passing Newton Cyn Parking Lot & follow trailhead to Upper Zuma Falls. ​

Santa Ynez Canyon Park

Santa Ynez Canyon Waterfall
Santa Ynez Waterfall Trail, Pacific Palisades, CA

2.3 Mile Out & Back
-Easy - Wear waterproof shoes during rainy season!
-Not technically dog-friendly
-Free Parking

Red Rock Canyon Park

23601 West Red Rock Road, Topanga, CA

-Moderate Difficulty Level - Steep
-Dog-Friendly
-$5 Parking Fee (limited parking before lot)
-Sandstone formations, foliage, caves

Lake Eleanor Open Space

Highgate Road, Westlake Village, CA

-Easy WARNING: There is a fairly high wall at start of trail that might be difficult for older folks! If your dog can jump or be carried, this should be no problem.
-Dog-Friendly
-Free Street Parking
-Views from above Lake Eleanor and Las Virgenes Reservoir

San Antonio Falls

993 Falls Rd, Mt Baldy, CA
Only 1 hr from LA!

1.4 Miles Out & Back
-Easy - If you go when it's snowy, be careful for ice! 
-Dog-Friendly
-Free Parking
-Incredible mountain views with flowing waterfall and mini pools! 

Bonita Falls

Lytle Creek, CA

2 Miles Out & Back - You will walk through a river, then over rocks the entire way. Wear waterproof shoes!! Once you cross the water, follow left mountain all the way back until you find the waterfall. This hike is very easy to get lost on. Check other blogs for guidance.
-Dog-Friendly
-Adventure Pass for Parking (I got away with none)
-Waterfalls, creeks, rivers, mountains, snow graffiti

Rose Valley Falls

Rose Valley Lake Rd, Ojai, CA

Quick 1 Mile Out & Back
-Easy
-Dog-Friendly
-Free Parking outside campground ($10 for camping pass)
-Short trail with beautiful river, waterfall & swimming hole at the end of the road.

Ventura River Preserve

Oso Trail Head
1290 Meyer Rd, Ojai, CA

-Tons of trails, river, watering holes to explore!
-Dog-Friendly
-Free Parking