Perpetual Motion in Santa Monicas

Hike or Bike at Sandstone Peak, Will Rogers Trail or Nicholas Flat

May 25, 2007

Hiking the trails of The Santa Monica Mountains satisfies the stressed urbanites need to interact with the environment in a meaningful way. Nature's elixir for the soul.

South is the ocean. To the north, the predominantly virgin slopes of the Santa Monica Mountains rises to 2,000-foot summits and various from three to ten miles in width. If you turn north off the coast highway near Malibu and climb one of the winding, ascending roads on the southern slope of the Santa Monicas, you will see the Los Angeles coastline. Following is a long, gentle curve to the hazy hump of Palos Verdes. To the right, save for the distant offshore rise of Catalina Island, the unbroken sea reaches out to the horizon.

The southern rim of the San Fernando Valley is formed by the range. Much of it lies within the Los Angeles city limits, but while some of this fairly well developed, more of it is just as rugged and as untamed as it was hundreds of years ago.

Across these mountains lies West L.A., Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Culver City, Westwood, Bel Air, Brentwood and Pacific Palisades.

Throughout the Santa Monica Mountains, you’ll be impressed by rounded hillsides, steep, rocky gorges, ocean vistas, and seasonal wildflower displays.

Below are some notable and easily accessible trails to satisfy your desire for nature, solitude and motion:

1. SANDSTONE PEAK-

Mishe Mokwa Trail

The highest Peak in the Santa Monica Mountains, Sandstone Peak is one of the highlights of a visit to Circle X Ranch. Fifty years ago it belonged to ranchers, among them, movie actor Donald Crisp who starred in How Green Was My Valley.

Sandstone covers 1,655 acres of National Park Service on the borders of Los Angeles and Ventura counties. It is 5 miles round trip with 1,100-foot elevation gain. It offers outstanding views from its 3,111-foot summit. The trail is shaded by oak and sycamore, an all-year creek and a spring.

Directions to trailhead: Drive up the coast on Pacific Coast Highway past the outer reaches of Malibu, a mile past the Los Angeles County line. Turn inland on Yerba Buena Road and proceed five miles to Circle X Ranch. Pass the park’s headquarters building and continue for one more mile to the trailhead on your left. Plenty of parking.

2. WILL ROGERS TRAIL-

The “Cowboy Philosopher,” otherwise known as Will Rogers, purchased this spread in 1922. The family estate added 31 rooms to their weekend cottage. Today, the ranch and grounds of the Rogers Ranch is maintained as Will Rogers State Historic Park. You can tour the ranch house, still filled with his prized possessions and view a short film on Roger’s life

To Inspiration Point is 2 miles round trip with a 300-foot elevation gain. The Rogers Trail ascends a ridge overlooking nearby Rivas Canyon and leads to a junction, where you take the turnoff for Inspiration Point. Clear-day views are inspiring; the Santa Monica Bay, the metropolis, the San Gabriel Mountains, and even Catalina Island

Directions to trailhead: From Sunset Boulevard in Pacific Palisades, 4.5 miles inland from Sunset’s junction with Pacific Coast Highway, turn inland on the access road leading to Will Rogers State Historic Park. Park your car near the polo field or near Rogers’ house.

3. NICOLAS FLAT TRAIL-

A popular surfing spot, Leo Carrillo State beach allows surfers to tackle the well-shaped south swell, while battling the submerged rocks and kelp beds. In recent years, the state added a name change to Leo Carrillo State park to a large region of the Santa Monica parkland. Its namesake, Angeline Leo Carrillo, was famous for his TV role as Pancho, the Cisco Kid’s sidekick.

It is 7 miles round trip from Leo Carrillo State Beach with 1,600-foot elevation gain. The trail is one of the few that connect the mountains with the sea. Along the trail look for deer weed, chamise, purple sage, shooting star, fushia –flowered gooseberry and many more flowering plants.

The park includes a big meadow and a pond patrolled by coots. Enjoy a picnic atop grand boulders and savor Malibu coast views.

Directions to trailhead: From the Santa Monica Freeway West, head up the coast about 25 miles to Leo Carrillo State Beach. Free parking along Coast Highway, and fee parking in the park’s day use area. Nicolas Flat trailhead is located a short distance past the park entry kiosk, opposite the day use parking area.

National Park Service headquarters and visitor Information Center

The copyright of the article Perpetual Motion in Santa Monicas in California Travel is owned by Anna Carranza. Permission to republish Perpetual Motion in Santa Monicas in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.