Hikes in the Santa Monica Mountains

Stretching through Malibu toward downtown Los Angeles, the Santa Monica Mountains are a beautiful coastal range packed with enticing trails. Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area spans 40 miles west to east across Los Angeles and Ventura Counties from Point Mugu to Griffith Park. A network of federal, state, and city parks protect over 150,000 acres of the Santa Monica Mountains, offering miles and miles of hiking trails. ... Read more.
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Los Angeles

Fryman Canyon Loop
in the Santa Monica Mountains

Los Angeles | Trails
Trail Rating:
Fryman Canyon Loop in the Santa Monica Mountains
What to go for a hike but don't have time to leave Los Angeles? If you live near the Hollywood Hills or Studio City, Fryman Canyon may be the perfect place to get an hour of outdoor exercise. The 3-mile loop on Betty B. Dearing Trail passes through Wilacre Park in Lower Fryman Canyon and Coldwater Canyon Park, dishing out just 450 feet of elevation gain. ...Read more.
Tagged with · Hollywood Hills · Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority · Studio City · Dog-Friendly Trails · Santa Monica Mountains
Distance: 3 miles · Elevation change: 450 feet
By: Seth Smigelski Published: July 9, 2012 Last updated: April 20, 2026
Los Angeles

Beaudry Motorway Loop to Tongva Peak
in the Verdugo Mountains

Los Angeles | Trails
Trail Rating:
Beaudry Motorway Loop to Tongva Peak in the Verdugo Mountains
On the east end of the Verdugo Mountains between Glendale and Burbank, there is a scenic 6.15-mile loop on wide dirt service roads. North and South Beaudry Motorways circle past Tongva Peak and Mount Thom, which rise above the micro-range's eastern ridges. The high point of the loop, and a highlight of the hike, is a scenic overlook on the 2,656-foot summit of Tongva Peak. ...Read more.
Tagged with · Free Trails · Glendale · Summits · Dog-Friendly Trails · Mountain Biking Trails · Verdugo Mountains
Distance: 6.15 miles · Elevation change: 1475 feet
By: Seth Smigelski Published: June 18, 2012 Last updated: December 6, 2025
Los Angeles

Angel Vista via Rosewood Trail
in the Santa Monica Mountains

Los Angeles | Trails | Ventura
Trail Rating:
Angel Vista via Rosewood Trail in the Santa Monica Mountains
The boldly named Angel Vista is one of the top viewpoints in the Santa Monica Mountains, a coastal range running between Los Angeles and Ventura. Angel Vista soars over Thousand Oaks, presenting panoramic views of the west end of the range, which includes the Boney Mountains, the rocky crown of Santa Monicas. A few trails lead to the vista point, including the 7. ...Read more.
Tagged with · Free Trails · Los Robles Open Space · Thousand Oaks · Dog-Friendly Trails · Mountain Biking Trails · Santa Monica Mountains
Distance: 4 miles · Elevation change: 850 feet
By: Seth Smigelski Published: June 2, 2012 Last updated: April 17, 2026
Los Angeles

Angel Vista via West Los Robles Trail
in the Santa Monica Mountains

Los Angeles | Trails | Ventura
Trail Rating:
Angel Vista via West Los Robles Trail in the Santa Monica Mountains
Los Robles Trail in Thousand Oaks crosses a chaparral-covered mountainside leading to Angel Vista, one of the premier overlooks on the north side of the Santa Monica Mountains. There are a few routes to the viewpoint, including this 7.6-mile round trip hike up the east end of West Los Robles Trail. The hike charts a steady course along a mountain slope, gaining 800 feet to reach the vista above the Conejo Valley. ...Read more.
Tagged with · Free Trails · Los Robles Open Space · Newbury Park · Thousand Oaks · Dog-Friendly Trails · Mountain Biking Trails · Santa Monica Mountains
Distance: 7.6 miles · Elevation change: 800 feet
By: Seth Smigelski Published: June 1, 2012 Last updated: April 17, 2026
Los Angeles

Charmlee Wilderness Park
in Malibu

Los Angeles | Trails
Trail Rating:
Charmlee Wilderness Park in Malibu
Charmlee Wilderness Park is perched on a bluff overlooking Malibu's alluring coast. Operated by the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (previously the city of Malibu), this 590-acre park has eight miles of interwoven trails, making it easy to build your own hike between two to four miles, easy to moderate. In spring, Charmlee puts on a champion's display of wildflowers. ...Read more.
Tagged with · Malibu · Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority · Ocean Views · Wildflowers · Dog-Friendly Trails · Santa Monica Mountains
Distance: 3.25 miles · Elevation change: 260 feet
By: Seth Smigelski Published: May 4, 2012 Last updated: December 5, 2025
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