Santa Monica Mountains NRA

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Gems in Santa Monica Mountains NRA - 3

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Clouds begin to fill the sky looking north from Sandstone Peak.

Sandstone Peak

(7) Casa Co…, CA

Favorite

Balanced rock, viewable from afar as well as up close like this. Very cool landmark.

Echo Cliffs and Balanced Rock

(4) Casa Co…, CA

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Murphy Ranch

Murphy Ranch

(7) Santa M…, CA

Recommended Routes in Santa Monica Mountains NRA - 38

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Balanced rock, viewable from afar as well as up close like this. Very cool landmark.

Sandstone Peak Loop

6.1 mi 9.8 km • 1,144' Up 348.65 m Up • 1,144' Down 348.63 m Down

Favorite

Parker Mesa Overlook looking South.

Parker Mesa Overlook

7.5 mi 12.1 km • 1,469' Up 447.84 m Up • 1,471' Down 448.44 m Down

Favorite

A gorgeous day and spectacular views make for a wonderful time on the Ray Miller / Backbone Trail!

Ray Miller at Pt. Mugu

5.5 mi 8.8 km • 964' Up 293.88 m Up • 963' Down 293.67 m Down

Favorite

Nice view from Crags Road.

M.A.S.H Out-and-Back

4.8 mi 7.7 km • 226' Up 68.94 m Up • 226' Down 68.98 m Down

Favorite

Amazing view of Santa Monica, you can see Catalina Island on the left side of the photo

Inspiration Point - Murphy Ranch Out-and-Back

6.1 mi 9.8 km • 1,429' Up 435.65 m Up • 1,429' Down 435.56 m Down

Favorite

Madonna Rock

Solstice Canyon Loop

2.9 mi 4.7 km • 676' Up 206.06 m Up • 664' Down 202.42 m Down

Favorite

The Temescal Canyon Trail heads through a foliage tunnel.

Temescal Canyon Loop

3.8 mi 6.1 km • 930' Up 283.52 m Up • 926' Down 282.34 m Down

Favorite

Nice and shady. Lots of trees!

Sullivan Canyon Loop

10.9 mi 17.5 km • 1,518' Up 462.65 m Up • 1,488' Down 453.48 m Down

Favorite

Traversing the Canyon View Trail overlooking Malibu and the Pacific Ocean

Zuma Ridge/Canyon Loop

11.1 mi 17.9 km • 2,696' Up 821.65 m Up • 2,718' Down 828.38 m Down

Santa Monica Mountains NRA Hiking

600 Miles 966 Kilometers of Trail
39 Recommended Routes
3 Gems
74 Easy Trails
121 Intermediate Trails
30 Difficult Trails

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Areas Within Santa Monica Mountains NRA

Arroyo Sequit Site

Charmlee Wilderness Park

Cheeseboro/Palo Comado Canyons

Corral Canyon Park

Franklin Canyon Park

Fryman Canyon Park

King Gillette Ranch

Leo Carrillo State Park

Malibu Creek State Park

Marvin Braude Mulholland Gateway Park

Point Mugu State Park

Rancho Sierra Vista / Satwiwa

Red Rock Canyon Park

Rustic Canyon Park

Solstice Canyon

Sullivan Canyon Park

Summit Valley Edmund D. Edelman Park

Temescal Gateway Park

Topanga State Park

Zuma and Trancas Canyons

Weather Averages

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Trails in Santa Monica Mountains NRA - 186

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0.6 mi 0.9 km #1Los Liones Trail Easy/Intermediate Las Flores, CA	Easy/Intermediate	Las Flores, CA	2
3.4 mi 5.5 km #2Puerco Motorway Intermediate Malibu Beach, CA	Intermediate	Malibu Beach, CA	1
1.2 mi 1.9 km #3Grotto Trail Difficult Casa Conejo, CA	Difficult	Casa Conejo, CA	1
1.1 mi 1.8 km #4Hidden Valley Overlook Trail Difficult Casa Conejo, CA	Difficult	Casa Conejo, CA	1
0.7 mi 1.1 km #5Triunfo Lookout Access Trail Intermediate Casa Conejo, CA	Intermediate	Casa Conejo, CA	1
4.5 mi 7.2 km #6Dearing Mountain Trail Intermediate/Difficult Universal City, CA	Intermediate/Difficult	Universal City, CA	5
68.8 mi 110.7 km #7Backbone Trail Difficult Camarillo, CA	Difficult	Camarillo, CA	6
1.3 mi 2.1 km #8Los Liones Trail Intermediate Las Flores, CA	Intermediate	Las Flores, CA	5
2.2 mi 3.5 km #9Santa Ynez Canyon Trail Intermediate Topanga, CA	Intermediate	Topanga, CA	5
3.3 mi 5.3 km #10Nicholas Flat Trail Intermediate Malibu, CA	Intermediate	Malibu, CA	2

Photos of Santa Monica Mountains NRA - 196

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Sunset at the Will Rogers trailhead

Sep 23, 2015 near Santa M…, CA

Puerco Canyon Motorway looking back towards the ocean from above the switchbacks.

Nov 1, 2021 near Malibu…, CA

Balanced rock, viewable from afar as well as up close like this. Very cool landmark.

Apr 2, 2015 near Casa Co…, CA

Overlooking Lake Malibu

Feb 19, 2021 near Agoura, CA

Heading south on the Backbone Trail.

Jan 25, 2021 near Topanga, CA

Traversing the Canyon View Trail overlooking Malibu and the Pacific Ocean

Dec 5, 2016 near Malibu, CA

A gorgeous day and spectacular views make for a wonderful time on the Ray Miller / Backbone Trail!

Feb 1, 2017 near Camarillo, CA

Coastal Collisions.

Mar 31, 2020 near Casa Co…, CA