Where To Hike Santa Monica Mts?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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  • Mishe Mokwa Trail to Split Rock: Moderate, 3.5 miles round trip. …
  • Satwiwa Loop Trail: Easy, 1.5 miles round trip. …
  • Solstice Canyon Trail: Easy, 2.1 miles round trip. …
  • Backbone Trail: Strenuous, 65 miles one way. …
  • Cheeseboro Canyon Trail to Modelo Trail Loop: Moderate, 3 miles round trip.

Can you hike in the Santa Monica Mountains?


The majority of trails in the Santa Monica Mountains are free to access

, including the hike to Sandstone Peak, the highest point in the range at 3,111 feet. The trail to the Santa Monica Mountains’ tallest waterfall, Escondido Falls, is also free.

What mountains can you see from Santa Monica?

  • Chalk Hills (in Woodland Hills)
  • San Gabriel Mountains.
  • Santa Susana Mountains.
  • Simi Hills.
  • Verdugo Mountains.

Where are Santa Monica Mountains?

Santa Monica Mountains, mountain range in

southern California, U.S.

, extending east-west for about 40 miles (64 km), paralleling the north shore of Santa Monica Bay. Elevations range from 1,000 to 3,000 feet (300 to 910 metres).

How many trails are in the Santa Monica Mountains?


More than 500 miles

of public trails crisscross the Santa Monica Mountains, offering a lifetime of exploration.

Where is Point Mugu State Park?

Point Mugu State Park, located in the

Santa Monica Mountains

, features five miles of ocean shoreline with rocky bluffs, sandy beaches, sand dunes, rugged hills and uplands, two major river canyons and wide grassy valleys dotted with sycamores, oaks and a few native walnuts.

Is the Ray Miller trail open?

The trail is

open year-round

and is beautiful to visit anytime. You’ll need to leave pups at home — dogs aren’t allowed on this trail. Dogs on leash are allowed on beaches, day use areas, and campgrounds.

Where do I park for Inspiration Point hike?

To get to the trailhead: Take Sunset Boulevard to

Will Rogers State Park Road

, located 4.5 miles west of the 405 and three miles east of PCH. At the light, turn north on Will Rogers State Park Road. Drive 3/4 of a mile up the mountainside to the park entrance. Pull past the gate and park in the lot on the left.

Is the Backbone Trail open?

The trail is

open year-round

and is beautiful to visit anytime. The Backbone Trail has been opened all the way through, including the upper portion of the Yerba Buena Road to Mulholland Highway section near or on the Etz Meloy Motorway.

How many mountain lions are in the Santa Monica Mountains?

The National Park Service has been studying how mountain lions survive in an increasingly fragmented and urbanized landscape since 2002. Researchers have monitored

nearly 100

mountain lions in and around the Santa Monica Mountains north of Los Angeles.

What is the highest peak in the Santa Monica Mountains?

Sandstone Peak

Are Santa Monica Mountains closed?

As of August 13,2020,

all NPS trails and trailheads within the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area are open, except for trails and trailheads at Arroyo Sequit, Peter Strauss Ranch, and Rocky Oaks

. The three NPS sites remain closed to the public because of the Woolsey Fire damage.

Is Griffith Park part of Santa Monica Mountains?


Griffith Park is a large municipal park at the eastern end of the Santa Monica Mountains

, in the Los Feliz neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. The park covers 4,310 acres (1,740 ha) of land, making it one of the largest urban parks in North America.

Is Santa Monica Mountains open?


The park sites are open year-round

. Our parking lots are open from 8 am to sunset.

What cities are in the Santa Monica Mountains?

Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area Backbone Trail near Mishe Mokwa Show map of California Show map of the United States Show all Location Santa Monica Mountains; Los Angeles and Ventura Counties, California, U.S. Nearest city Malibu, California Newbury Park, California

Where do you park for Solstice Canyon?

To get to the trailhead: Take PCH to Malibu and turn inland on Corral Canyon Road (West of Malibu Canyon Road and Pepperdine University at the intersection with the 76 gas station). The park entrance is on the left, just around the first bend in the road.

Expect a full parking lot on weekends

.

How do you get to Parker Mesa Overlook?

One way to reach the mesa is to

hike down the fire road from Trippet Ranch to Parker Mesa Overlook

for a 6.7-mile round trip hike with 375 feet of elevation gain. You may also start from the southern end of East Topanga Fire Road at the top of Paseo Miramar.

How long is the Backbone Trail?

Backbone Trail Length

67.79 mi (109.10 km)
Location Los Angeles County / Ventura County, California, USA Designation National Recreation Trail

Is La Jolla Canyon Trail open?


As of March 2017, the La Jolla Canyon Trail is still closed

and there is no anticipated date for it to re-open. The heavy rains we had over the winter further damaged the trails and loosened boulders on the canyon walls, increasing the hazard of landslides. For your own safety, please stay out of La Jolla Canyon!

Where is Sycamore Cove Beach?

Sycamore Cove Beach is located at

9000 Pacific Coast Highway in Point Mugu

. This beach is one of the closest and easiest to get to from the Conejo Valley and Camarillo via Las Posas and PCH.

Are dogs allowed on Point Mugu beach?

Mugu Beach is found inside the Point Mugu State Park, and features five miles of ocean shoreline nestled into the Santa Monica Mountains.

Leashed dogs are welcome

to join in on the fun throughout Point Mugu State Park, including the beach!

How long is the Ray Miller trail?

Get to know this

5.1-mile

out-and-back trail near Camarillo, California. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 26 min to complete. This is a very popular area for birding, hiking, and trail running, so you’ll likely encounter other people while exploring.

How long is the Chumash trail?

The Chumash Trail is a

2.6 mile

long trail that extends from Flanagan Drive in Simi Valley to the top of the ridges north of Rocky Peak. It is a part of the Chumash Natural Park that includes sandstone rock formations, caves, and beautiful vistas of Simi Valley.

How hard is hike to Inspiration Point?

Head out on this 1.8-mile out-and-back trail near Moose, Wyoming. Generally considered a

moderately challenging route

, it takes an average of 53 min to complete. This is a very popular area for hiking and walking, so you’ll likely encounter other people while exploring.

Is Nimitz trail open?

The trail is

open year-round

and is beautiful to visit anytime.

How long of a hike is Inspiration Point?

Inspiration Point is a

2 mile (3.2 km)

roundtrip hike with 500 ft (152.4 m) of elevation gain. The trail is dirt with several sections of rock stairs and exposed roots. The trail crosses exposed rock and features several steep switchbacks.

Kim Nguyen
Author
Kim Nguyen
Kim Nguyen is a fitness expert and personal trainer with over 15 years of experience in the industry. She is a certified strength and conditioning specialist and has trained a variety of clients, from professional athletes to everyday fitness enthusiasts. Kim is passionate about helping people achieve their fitness goals and promoting a healthy, active lifestyle.