Parker Mesa Overlook from Paseo Miramar

Highlights: Beautiful ocean and mountain/canyon views
Distance: 5 miles roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 1,200 ft
Hike Time: 2 - 3 hours depending on your hiking experience.
Diffuculty: Moderate if you are an experienced hiker – grueling the first few tries. Difficult during hot weather.
Trail Condition: The trail is wide and well kept. Watch out for bikers on the downhill who will sometimes zoom past you with very little warning, and snakes during warm weather.
Trail Head: From Santa Monica – take PCH heading north to Sunset Blvd. Turn right on Sunset and drive about .3 miles to Paseo Miramar. Turn left on Paseo and follow Paseo Miramar for about 1 mile. The road will fork, stay to the right take it all the way until it dead ends at the fire road. There’s street parking but gets crowded on weekends. The earlier you start the better.


Summary: This is a great year round hike, though it can be painful during hot weather. The view however, makes this hike worth it. You are hiking on a dirt road doing intervals of gradual and steep inclines. After about 1.5 miles you’ll go down a small hill and then the trail flattens out for a bit and you’ll find yourself in a small meadow followed by a bit of shade. Enjoy this little piece of heaven because you have one more hill before you get to the Parker Mesa Overlook Junction. There are several garbage cans to discard water bottles etc.

The path from the Junction to the Overlook is a bit narrower than the trail you were on before and is a series of up and down intervals. For your reward you’ll get amazing views of the Ocean and the city.

*At the junction, you can go left for about .5 miles to the The Overlook or keep right and continue on to Trippet Ranch. It's about 3 miles of up/down to Trippet Ranch.

Ranger Contact: California State Parks, (818) 880-0350

DISCLAIMER: Traveling in the backcountry can be hazardous. You are responsible for informing yourself about these hazards and taking necessary precautions. A current guidebook and proper equipment are essential for safe enjoyment of the hikes posted on this site.

Take A Hike,
Lucy