13 Hiking Trails near Santa Monica, CA
first prev 1 next lastShowing Hiking Trails within 50 miles Distance miles of Santa Monica, CA, USA City, Zip, or Address
Hollywood Sign on Mt. Lee
Los Angeles, California
12.5 miles NEThe iconic Hollywood Sign sits on the southern slope of Mount Lee in Griffith Park, best viewed driving north up Gower Street or along Beachwood Drive.
Hike 0.3-1.0 mi
Rock Pool
Agoura Hills, California
14.7 miles WA river-fed swimming hole deep in Malibu Creek State Park, ringed by forest and rock formations — reach it via a short level path from the Visitor Center or a scenic 2-mile out-and-back from the campsite.
Camp, Hike, Swim
Malibu Creek State Park
Calabasas, California
14.8 miles WJust 25 miles from downtown LA, 15 miles of streamside trail wind through oak and sycamore woodlands in a park with rich Chumash history and film location fame.
Camp, Hike, Horseback, Mountain Bike, Rock Climb
Elysian Park
Los Angeles, California
15.2 miles EA sprawling municipal park in Central Los Angeles encompassing Chavez Ravine and Dodger Stadium's neighborhood — green space and open land in the heart of the city.
Hike
Point Dume State Beach
Malibu, California
18.3 miles WHeadlands, rocky coves, a quiet beach, gray whale watching from December to April, an easy coastal hike to sweeping views, and a fun Iron Man movie cameo — all at Point Dume in Malibu.
Dive, Hike, Rock Climb, Swim
Arroyo Sequit Park
Malibu, California
23.4 miles WA perennial stream, loop trail, rocks, and wildflower-covered meadows make Arroyo Sequit one of the western Santa Monica Mountains' most beautiful and ecologically rich parks.
Hike, Horseback
Sam Merrill Trailhead
Altadena, California
24.3 miles NEA historically significant San Gabriel Mountain trail built in the 1930s climbs through Las Flores Canyon to the top of Echo Mountain, once home to the Mount Lowe Railway.
Hike
Switzer Falls
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana, CA, California
25.3 miles NEA relatively easy hike into a spectacular San Gabriel canyon where the stream meanders under oaks and alder, cascades over granite into mirror pools, and passes above the 50-foot Switzer Falls.
Hike
Arroyo Pescadero Park
Whittier, California
28.3 miles EAn ADA-accessible interpretive trail and wildlife corridor connecting the Whittier Narrows to Cleveland National Forest through the Puente Hills — featuring decorative artist-designed gates and naturalist-focused signage.
Hike
Satwiwa Loop Trail
Westlake Village, California
28.4 miles WAn easy 2.5-mile loop in the Santa Monica Mountains perfect for wildlife watching — roadrunners, prairie falcons, hawks, rabbits, deer, and coyotes all call this trail home.
Hike
laguna lake park trail
Fullerton, California
32.7 miles EA level loop trail around a 25-acre natural lake and open hillsides with views of the surrounding Morros in this 450-acre Fullerton park with deep Chumash history.
Hike
Bandido Group Campground
Pearblossom, California
35.8 miles NEA rustic group campground in the Angeles National Forest designed for equestrian campers, with horse corrals, hitch racks, and five sites accommodating up to 150 campers total.
Camp, Hike, Horseback
Fish Creek
Lake Hughes, California
43.1 miles NA super-deep upper pool and a lower pool about 5 feet deep, with a slideable waterfall — plus some higher jump spots for those willing to do a bit of rock climbing.
Hike, Rock Climb, Swim
