Los Liones: The Best Coastal Hike in the Santa Monica Mountains

Amazing coastal views from the Los Liones hike in the Santa Monica Mountains

The Southern California region is loaded with endless hiking opportunities. The rugged desert landscapes combined with some of the most magnificent coastal scenery in the country makes it one of the most scenic places to hike. Hiking in the Santa Monica Mountains is one of my favorite things to do in the L.A. metro. When I lived here a few years back, I mostly focused on the more popular hiking areas like Runyon Canyon and the Griffith Observatory trails, but really the Santa Monica mountains are pretty fabulous. Not to mention much less crowded than these touristy areas.

Luckily, there are more than 500 miles of trails to explore in this massive recreational area, so you will never run out of new exciting options no matter how many times you visit.

Hiking within the world’s largest urban park

The Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation area is spread out over 154,000 acres, making it the largest urban park in the world! There are so many trails to pick amongst so even if you are a beginner you can find something to suit your interest. Trails are diverse in terms of scenery, featuring everything from views of the Pacific Ocean, to skyline views, to open California grassland. A few even feature a waterfall!

Great ocean views from the Los Liones trail in Southern California

Many of these trails are accessible via a short drive from the city, making any hike truly feel like a little oasis in the middle of a concrete jungle. It’s sad that so many locals and tourists do not know that so many peaceful, nature escapes are sitting there just minutes away from the busy beaches, sprawling cities, and most importantly, the massive traffic. I recommend taking a break from the congestion, the pollution, and the traffic to enjoy a beautiful hike in the mountains.

Topanga State Park: Coastal hiking in the mountains

One of my favorite hikes is Los Liones Canyon. This short hike is a great choice for almost everyone. As long as you are a regular hiker or gym goer, you should be fine. If anything, it gets you away from the clutter and congestion of the city and out into the beautiful natural landscapes surrounding the city for an hour or 2.

You will get a great workout in as there is a bit of an incline going up, however, it is nowhere near as challenging as many of the hillier/longer trails. The ending coastal views are outstanding in comparison to the minimal effort you will need to put forth.

Enjoying the coastal scenery from the Los Liones trail in Southern California

It’s one of the best bang-for-your buck hikes in the L.A. area. Another advantage is being located within such close proximity to everything. This trail is really easy to get to and located just 10 minutes or so from the Santa Monica area. If you are up for an adventure, there are many more trails to look into within Topanga State Park, a massive urban park featuring over 70 miles of hiking trails.

The Los Liones trail to the Topanga Fire Road, the first overlook, is about 1.5 miles. Here you will be treated to stunning views of the ocean and skyline. You can continue on another 2 miles to the fantastic Parker Mesa Overlook, however, the views are pretty fantastic at the first overlook, so unless you are looking for a major workout, I would enjoy the views and call it a day. On the other hand, those seeking a challenging workout can keep going on. Note that it will be a pretty hard core workout to reach this overlook so it’s best suited for regular hikers/gym goers.

Enjoying the views at Los Liones trail in L.A. — I love this coastal lookout

City view of Los Angeles from the Los Liones trail — Decent view of the skyine

Tips for a great hike

The trek to the first overlook (Topanga Fire) should be easy enough for any regular hikers. There is a slight uphill one way, however, nothing overly challenging. The major problem would come for those not using to hiking in the harsh climate of the desert.

I recommend a camelbak so that you have plenty of water available (even if it feels cool, you will get hot and be craving extra water). A small snack or electrolyte drink would also be a smart idea. A hiking stick for extra traction going downhill, along with a quality pair of hiking shoes is always a must. Keep in mind that there is not much shade and it can get really hot anytime of the year with the intensity of the sun beating down on you.

Why you should hike this trail

In short, if you are looking for a great L.A. area hike which is easy to get to, will not take up your whole day, offers magnificent scenery, and one that will give your body a decent workout without too much effort, you can’t get much better than this.

While you could spend your time and money on pricey tourist attractions like Disneyland and Universal Studios, getting out into nature via a scenic hike is a free, and incredibly underrated experience, which should be tops on the list for anyone wanting to explore a beautiful natural region of the country. Here are a few more freebies I recommend checking out during your vacation.

Plenty of parking is available and the experience as a whole is so much more relaxing than fighting for parking spots and putting up with endless tourists at the beach.

Trail amenities

There is plenty of free parking at the trailhead, with both lots and street parking available. Bathrooms are also available.

The trail is not pet friendly (we saw a police officer telling people to turn around who had pets – one of the only downsides of the trail).

Preparing for your hike

There is no water at the trailhead, so bring several bottles or wear a camelbak. I recommend sunscreen and a hat. If possible, start your trek as early in the morning as possible to beat the heat. Be sure to eat before the hike and bring with a few easy to eat snacks like a granola bars, trail mix, or power bar.

Dining nearby

I recommend this great little local coffeeshop called Alfred if you need a pre-hike boost. The Topanga Village location is about 20 min from the trailhead. They open early (7am) so you can wake up with a great cup of joe. The coffee here is really top notch and I love that they started the famous “But First, Coffee” slogan.