How to Hike Topanga State Park in Los Angeles

At 10,000 acres with more than 36 miles of hiking trails, Topanga State Park is the largest urban wilderness in the United States. This strenuous 5-mile hike through an isolated section of the park in the hills above the Pacific Coast Highway just north of Santa Monica, is one of the most excellent adventures in the whole City of Los Angeles featuring a unique geologic landscape plus an incomparable view of the blue Pacific to the west and the glittering city to the east.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Comfortable walking shoes
• Hat
• Sunscreen
• Bottle of water

1. Use the Temescal Fire Road entrance to the park off Paseo Miramar in Pacific Pallisades. Just before Sunset Blvd. meets the Pacific Coast Highway, turn right on Paseo Miramar and wind up the hill through a lovely residential neighborhood reminiscent of the South of France. Paseo Miramar dead-ends at the Temescal Canyon Fire Road trailhead. Generally there's plenty of street parking although certain areas are restricted so pay close attention to the signs and red curbs.
2. Once you begin hiking, the ascent is difficult, with a steep grade at some points, but the trail is always wide and stable offering an excellent, cross-training style hike over hill and dale, through valleys and glens.
3. The trail is isolated and practically untrod. You may see only one or two other hikers on a busy day. You'll feel far away from it all as you follow the trail through a gorgeous natural environment exhibiting stunning geologic formations including jutting rocks and massive boulders.
4. The trail hugs the hillside and offers a view of the Pacific Ocean and the beaches stretching from Santa Monica to Malibu that will take your breath away. Remain on the fire road until you reach the cutoff with a sign that reads Parker Mesa Overlook.
5. Take the Parker Mesa Overlook Trail and follow it to the edge of a cliff perched over the Pacific with an unobstructed panorama that reaches to the horizon. It seems like you could almost dive into the ocean from up here.
6. Return the way you came but remember this is only one of the many scenic hikes in the park. Check the California State Parks website for more information.

Tips & Warnings

• The park is sometimes closed at the height of fire season during late September and early October.
• Dogs are not allowed on the trail.
• Don't hike in the middle of the day during summer. Temperatures can be scorching.