QUICK STATS

Difficulty: Easy

Distance: 2 miles roundtrip

Hiking Time: 2 hours 

Elevation Gain: 160 ft

Location: 23300 Saddle Peak Road, Topanga Canyon CA 90290

Parking: Along the road near trailhead

Fees & Permits: Free/None

Child/Pet Friendly: Yes

California is home to some of the best views on the west coast. If you’re looking for an easy hike with rewarding sights, make your way to Topanga Canyon. The lookout trail is ideal for sunrises and sunsets. The colors of the graffiti art will compete with the colors racing across the sky. This 2 mile, 1 hour easy hike is pet and kid friendly. Parking is located on the street in front of the trailhead. The trailhead can be found at 23300 Saddle Peak Road, Topanga Canyon CA 90290. Get there early for a prime parking spot and go on a weekday to avoid crowds. On a good day, you’ll be above the clouds in the Santa Monica mountains.  

Similar to Sunken City in San Pedro, the concrete remnants are covered in color. The graffitied platform contrasts with the surrounding 360 views of nature. Formerly a fire department observation tower, this ledge is perfect for peering out to Malibu, Calabasas, and Red Rocks Canyon Park. It stands 2,375 feet above the Pacific Ocean and is 160 feet of elevation gain during the hike. This makes the Lookout trail the highest hike in the Santa Monica mountains and luckily it’s an easy climb.