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.
Latest reports in Los Angeles (page 21)
Los Angeles

Tuna Canyon Park
in the Santa Monica Mountains

Los Angeles | Trails
Trail Rating:
Tuna Canyon Park in the Santa Monica Mountains
Tuna Canyon Park preserves 1,255 beautiful acres in the mountains between Topanga and Malibu. Despite being relatively unknown and under-visited, the park delivers some of the grandest ocean views to be found anywhere in the Santa Monica Mountains. From ridges 1,500 feet above a silken Pacific Ocean, Tuna Canyon Park looks east toward Santa Monica Bay and west up the coast of Malibu. ...Read more.
Tagged with · Free Trails · Malibu · Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority · Ocean Views · Topanga · Tuna Canyon Park · Dog-Friendly Trails · Mountain Biking Trails · Santa Monica Mountains
Distance: 5.1 miles · Elevation change: 900 feet
By: Seth Smigelski Published: February 1, 2012 Last updated: December 5, 2025
Los Angeles

Community Trail
in Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area

Los Angeles | Trails
Trail Rating:
Community Trail in Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area
Hahn Park's Community Trail is quite well named. It isn't the type of hike you would travel a long distance to visit, but if you live nearby, you are lucky to have it. The highlight of this 2.5-mile hike in the Baldwin Hills is a string of ridge-top viewpoints that looks north over Los Angeles. The 319-acre park is bordered by oil fields that limit the natural charm. ...Read more.
Tagged with · California State Parks · Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area · Dog-Friendly Trails · Mountain Biking Trails
Distance: 2.5 miles · Elevation change: 200 feet
By: Seth Smigelski Published: January 23, 2012 Last updated: December 6, 2025
Los Angeles

Rustic Canyon’s Murphy Ranch
from Will Rogers State Historic Park

Los Angeles | Trails
Trail Rating:
Rustic Canyon’s Murphy Ranch from Will Rogers State Historic Park
Next to Will Rogers State Historic Park is a shady canyon with a shady past. The ruins of Murphy Ranch, a compound built by Nazi sympathizers in the 1930s have been left behind to decay in Rustic Canyon. For adventuresome hikers, a trail enters Rustic Canyon from the east side of Will Rogers SHP. Beyond the end of the trail is a long unmaintained path up an overgrown canyon to the ruins. ...Read more.
Tagged with · Backbone Trail · California State Parks · Pacific Palisades · Ruins · Stairs · Will Rogers State Park · Santa Monica Mountains · Topanga State Park
Distance: 4 miles · Elevation change: 225 feet
By: Seth Smigelski Published: January 12, 2012 Last updated: December 5, 2025
Los Angeles

Inspiration Point
in Will Rogers State Historic Park

Los Angeles | Trails
Trail Rating:
Inspiration Point in Will Rogers State Historic Park
In addition to a rare polo field, renown ranch house, and a lawn that begs to be picnicked on, Will Rogers State Historic Park has plenty to offer to hikers. This is the eastern end of the 65-mile long Backbone Trail, which crosses the Santa Monica Mountains all the way to Point Mugu, and Will Rogers SHP is also home to a delightful short hike to a popular overlook. ...Read more.
Tagged with · California State Parks · Ocean Views · Will Rogers State Park · Dog-Friendly Trails · Santa Monica Mountains
Distance: 2.25 miles · Elevation change: 325 feet
By: Seth Smigelski Published: January 11, 2012 Last updated: April 9, 2026
Los Angeles

Beacon Hill
in Griffith Park

Los Angeles | Trails
Trail Rating:
Beacon Hill in Griffith Park
Located in the southeast corner of Griffith Park, Beacon Hill is the easternmost summit in the Santa Monica Mountain Range. The 1,001-foot hill towers over the Los Angeles River and provides panoramic views from Burbank to Santa Monica Bay. On a clear day, Beacon Hill issues a stunning panorama. The summit can be reached via a 2.75-mile out and back hike, or a 3. ...Read more.
Tagged with · Free Trails · Summits · Dog-Friendly Trails · Griffith Park · Santa Monica Mountains
Distance: 3.9 miles · Elevation change: 500 feet
By: Seth Smigelski Published: December 7, 2011 Last updated: December 5, 2025
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