Santa Monica, California
The best Trails and Outdoor Activities in Santa Monica, California offer a variety of top outdoor adventures. The Temescal Canyon Loop is a must-visit with its 2.6-mile trail that offers stunning ocean views and a scenic waterfall. For a more challenging hike, the Los Liones Trail is a 7.3-mile trail that takes you through lush greenery and offers panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean. The Santa Monica Beach bike path is a 22-mile long flat trail perfect for cycling, running, and walking. If you're into bird watching, the Ballona Wetlands is a great spot. For rock climbing, head to Point Dume in nearby Malibu. Remember to respect the outdoors and leave no trace behind. Enjoy your outdoor adventures in Santa Monica!
Top Spots in and near Santa Monica
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Los Angeles, California
Sunset Hike in Ascot Hills
3.5Ascot Hills Park is a great hidden gem located a few miles east of Los Angeles. There is a parking lot with plenty of parking but the gates close at sunset, which is a great time to go, so if you plan on staying later, park outside the gates where there is ample street parking. Depending on the s...Read more -
Malibu, California
Hike the Backbone East from Latigo Canyon
3.8 mi / 780 ft gainStarting in a dusty, generally empty parking lot, at about 2,000' ASL, you'll go immediately due north, up a few more feet before you drop down into another canyon covered in live oaks (and poison oak), thistles, ferns, and wildflowers. There's only one trail. It's windy, it's not hilly, it just ...Read more -
Glendale, California
Mt. Thom and Tongva Peak
6.06 mi / 1480 ft gainMount Thom and Tongva Peak are accessed by using the 6.2 mile out and back trail, Las Flores Motorway located in the north part of Glendale, CA. Roadside parking is not allowed near the trailhead, you will need to park in the nearby residential area along Sunshine Drive about 0.15 miles away from...Read more -
Malibu, California
Point Dume
4.80.95 mi / 141 ft gainFrom the parking lot, make your way towards Point Dume. You will find the entrance to the trail at the end of the lot. The trail is a bit sandy, but fairly easy. Be careful of the cactus plants along the trail! Make your way up towards the cliff and you'll notice ropes hanging on the edge. Don't...Read more -
Malibu, California
Paradise Cove via Point Dume
5.04.74 mi / 338 ft gainYou will start your beach-hiking to Paradise Cove from Point Dume which is located 20 miles north of Santa Monica on Pacific Coast Highway (PCH). On PCH, take left on Westward Beach Road and follow it to the end. Try to park as close to the end of the paid parking lot. You can use the automated m...Read more -
Malibu, California
Rock Climb at Point Dume
4.0There are a couple of different ways to get to the rock, but the easiest will be at the end of Westward Beach Rd. The rock is impossible to miss as you drive further down the beach. Once parked, which I believe you have to pay for beyond a certain point, it's a short walk out on the sand to the b...Read more -
Los Angeles, California
Hike up Chatsworth Park North
1 miFrom the parking lot, make your way through the park until you reach the bottom of a hill filled with huge rocks and boulders. It is very hard to miss.From here, you can pick any trail you wish. They will all lead up to the top. There's a lot of rock scrambling involved, as well as boulder hoppin...Read more -
Los Angeles, California
Stoney Point Park Loop
4.00.73 mi / 141 ft gainOnce you've parked along Topanga Canyon Blvd, make your way down the street and start the trail off near the steel gate, close to the horse stables. As you make your way in, you will notice some rock climbers practicing on the lower elevation rocks. Make your way around this rocky park, counter-...Read more -
Los Angeles, California
Stoney Point via North End
4.01.42 mi / 240 ft gainStoney Point via North End is an out-and-back trail where you may see local wildlife located near Chatsworth, California.Read more -
Glendale, California
Beaudry Loop
5.79 mi / 1572 ft gainThe Beaudry Loop trail features a bench at the top with 360 degree views of the greater LA area. The trailhead is a little hidden on Beaudry Blvd. As Beaudry Blvd turns into Beaudry Terrace, you'll see cars parked at the paved trailhead. There is very little shade on the trail so bring ample sun...Read more -
Los Angeles, California
Reseda Point
4.00.2 mi / 30 ft gainFrom the 118 FWY, exit Reseda and head north until you pass by Calle Vista Circle. Once passed, make a U-turn and park on the side of the street. Here you will find the trailhead for the Palisades Trail Hike. To get to the scenic lookout, simply walk up the short trail leading up the hill, and h...Read more -
Los Angeles, California
Verdugo Peak via Hostetter Fire Road
5.07.39 mi / 1627 ft gainVerdugo Peak, at 3000 feet, is accessible from multiple directions and trails along the Verdugo Range. The most direct route to the top is Hostetter Fire Road, a 3.6-mile hard-packed dirt trail that climbs 1600 feet to the 3,126-foot summit. The hike begins at the dirt parking lot off of La Tuna ...Read more -
Malibu, California
Backbone Trail via Kanan Dume
5.04.47 mi / 1089 ft gainFair warning, it can get very hot in Malibu, especially in the summer or fall. We started at the Kanan Dume Road lot. It fills up quick, both directions offer beautiful hiking, but most people tend to go west, it seems. While that's beautiful, you end on a decent uphill, so if hiking is new or c...Read more -
Malibu, California
Newton & Zuma Canyon Falls
4.32 mi / -600 ft gainThree waterfalls in one short hike?!...I'll take it! That's what you'll get if you make the visit to these falls in the Santa Monica mountains in Malibu. The trailhead starts on Kanan Dume road, which is also where the Backbone trail meets. Park in the designated (free) parking area and take the ...Read more -
Los Angeles, California
Porter Ranch Ridge
4.03.36 mi / 548 ft gainPorter Ranch Ridge is an out-and-back trail where you may see local wildlife located near Los Angeles, California.Read more -
San Fernando, California
Pacoima Park Natural Wash Park
0.54 mi / 13 ft gainPacoima Park Natural Wash Park makes for a wonderful & pleasant walk. The entrance to the park is located at the corner of Newton St and 8th St and runs up to Foothill Blvd in San Fernando California. The park is ADA accessible and allows for dogs on leash. There are also picnic tables and dr...Read more
