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Parker Mesa Overlook

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
 4.5 (53)
  1. Areas
  2. CA
  3. …Southern California
  4. Santa Monica Mountains NRA
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“A one-day adventure into the southern hills of Topanga State Park to arguably the best view around. ”

Zander Göpfert
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Map Key

7.5

Miles

12.1

KM

Out and Back

1,532' 467 m

High

270' 82 m

Low

1,469' 448 m

Up

1,471' 448 m

Down

7%

Avg Grade (4°)

21%

Max Grade (12°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Views · Wildlife

Overview

For anyone who enjoys beautiful trips through the dry, chaparral hills of California, this out-and-back to the Parker Mesa Overlook is not to be missed. The route is a moderate length for a solid day trip and provides nice views along the way.

The final reward of the Parker Mesa Overlook makes the uphill effort all worthwhile. There are benches and some space to spread out a beautiful picnic lunch or opt for a sunrise/sunset trip for stunning photographs.

Description

To access this featured hike, head up Los Liones Drive to the Los Liones Trailhead on the north side of Castellammare. There is a pull-off parking area at the trailhead.

The trail starts off gradually with a couple of short and steep climbs while it snakes through the dense bushes of the chaparral ecosystem. After a little more than a mile, the trail ends at the East Topanga Fire Road.

Turn left onto the East Topanga Fire Road and continue the uphill climb along the ridgeline to the north. The higher the trail gets, the better the views become, but the best one is yet to come.

From there, turn onto the East Topanga Fire Road from the Los Liones Trail and head north for a mile until the trail begins to level off with some downhill sections. A little less than a mile further, look to the left for the Parker Mesa Overlook Spur.

Head south on the Parker Mesa Overlook Spur for a half mile until you reach the climactic view from the Parker Mesa Overlook. Once you've refueled and taken in the view of this striking vista, head back the way you came.

Flora & Fauna

Intact chaparral ecosystem with woody shrubs.

Contacts

Land Manager: NPS - Topanga State Park

Shared By:

Zander Göpfert
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.5 from 53 votes

#1

in Santa Monica Mountains NRA

#202

Overall
  4.5 from 53 votes
5 Star
55%
4 Star
38%
3 Star
8%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in Santa Monica Mountains…

#22

in California

#202

Overall
13 Views Last Month
16,763 Since Sep 29, 2016
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
2%
0%
65%
7%
26%
0%
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Photos

Parker Mesa Overlook looking South.
Dec 29, 2020 near Topanga, CA
Sunset over the Santa Monica Bay from the East Topanga Fire Road. with permission from laollis
Sep 29, 2016 near Topanga, CA
The Pacific on a fall afternoon.
Nov 1, 2020 near Topanga, CA
Parker Mesa Overlook Spur. with permission from laollis
Sep 29, 2016 near Topanga, CA

3 Comments

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Check-Ins

Apr 15, 2023
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7.5mi
Mar 12, 2023
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Sep 7, 2022
Yali Zhao
Feb 19, 2022
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Aug 15, 2021
Joseph Gutierrez
Jan 30, 2021
Drew Herpel
7.5mi — 3h 45m
Jan 4, 2021
Podkayne McAlpin
Oct 26, 2020
Jason Lin

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