○ TIER 1 — SOURCED & RESEARCHED
7.3 miRound Trip
1,200 ftElev. Gain
EasyDifficulty
3.5-5 hoursEst. Time
1,525 ftHighest Point
Out-and-BackRoute Type
YesDogs
NonePermit

Los Liones Trail to Parker Mesa Overlook

🌤 Trail Weather — Plan Your Hike Updated every 6 hrs · Trailhead coords
✅
Good Conditions — Solid Day to Hike
67°F, Clear Sky. Wind 3 mph. Standard 10 Essentials apply.
🌙
67°
Clear Sky
Feels 66°F
💨 Wind
3 mph NE
No significant gusts
💧 Humidity
67%
Humid — heat feels stronger
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi
Good visibility
☁️ Cloud Cover
0%
Clear — full sun exposure
🌅 Sunrise
7:07 am
Ideal start time
🌇 Sunset
6:08 pm
Off trail by this
Today — 3-Hour Intervals
2 am
🌙
67°
Feels 66°
💨 2/5
5 am
🌙
64°
Feels 64°
💨 3/6
8 am
☀️
65°
Feels 64°
💨 3/7
11 am
☀️
79°
Feels 79°
💨 2/8
2 pm
☀️
82°
Feels 83°
💨 5/14
5 pm
⛅
79°
Feels 79°
💨 4/10
5-Day Forecast
🌙
Today
Clear Sky
67°F
feels 66°
💨 Wind/Gust
2/5 N
💧 Humidity
67% Humid — heat feels stronger
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi — Good visibility
☁️ Clouds
0% Clear — full sun exposure
✅ Good Conditions — Go Hike
🌙
Mon, Oct 26
Clear Sky
63°F
feels 63°
💨 Wind/Gust
2/6 N
💧 Humidity
87% High humidity — pace yourself
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi — Good visibility
☁️ Clouds
0% Clear — full sun exposure
🟡 Warm & Humid — Extra Water
🌙
Tue, Oct 27
Clear Sky
58°F
feels 58°
💨 Wind/Gust
3/6 NE
💧 Humidity
89% High humidity — pace yourself
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi — Good visibility
☁️ Clouds
0% Clear — full sun exposure
🟡 Warm & Humid — Extra Water
☁️
Wed, Oct 28
Scattered Clouds
59°F
feels 59°
💨 Wind/Gust
2/3 NNE
💧 Humidity
89% High humidity — pace yourself
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi — Good visibility
☁️ Clouds
50% Partly cloudy
🟡 Warm & Humid — Extra Water
☁️
Thu, Oct 29
Overcast Clouds
59°F
feels 59°
💨 Wind/Gust
3/5 NNE
💧 Humidity
89% High humidity — pace yourself
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi — Good visibility
☁️ Clouds
100% Overcast
🟡 Warm & Humid — Extra Water
Trailhead elevation only. Conditions change at altitude. Check weather.gov before heading out. Oct 25, 12:50 am

A lush ivy-draped canyon transforms into a serious ridgeline workout. The trail climbs aggressively to a high coastal plateau terminating at a lone bench hanging above the Malibu coastline — the definitive ocean viewpoint of the Santa Monicas.

Trail Overview

The lower canyon section of Los Liones is deceptively easy — green, shaded, and pleasant. Then it hits the ridge and does not stop climbing for another two miles. Parker Mesa Overlook earns its reputation as the best coastal viewpoint in the range. On a clear day you can see Catalina Island, the full arc of Santa Monica Bay, and the Channel Islands. A legitimate workout hike with excellent payoff.

This Hike Is For You If…

Fit intermediate hikers who want the best coastal views in the range. Good training hike. Dog-friendly.

Skip This Hike If…

Skip in marine layer conditions when the overlook views will be obscured. Skip after 9am in summer — the ridge is fully exposed.

What to Expect on Trail

Terrain: Shaded canyon lower section. Exposed fire road ridge to overlook. Good footing throughout.

Shade: Partial

Water: None — Carry All Water. No reliable water. Carry 2 liters minimum.

Views: Outstanding

Crowds: Less crowded than Temescal despite similar access and quality.

Dogs: Yes, dogs are welcome on this trail.

Best Arrival: Before 8am on weekends. Small lot with limited overflow.

This is a Tier 1 sourced review. Trail information is based on published sources and research. Andrew has not personally hiked this trail yet. Photos and firsthand sensory detail will be added when upgraded to Tier 2.

👞

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7.3 miRound Trip
1200 ftElev. Gain
easyDifficulty
3.5-5 hoursEst. Time
1525 ftHighest Point
out_backRoute Type
YesDogs

Trailhead & Logistics

Address: Los Liones Trailhead, Los Liones Drive, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272
Parking: Small free lot at trailhead. Street parking on Los Liones Drive. No fee. Fills quickly on weekends.
Best Arrival: Before 8am on weekends. Small lot with limited overflow.

Trail Reality Check

The lower canyon section of Los Liones is deceptively easy — green, shaded, and pleasant. Then it hits the ridge and does not stop climbing for another two miles. Parker Mesa Overlook earns its reputation as the best coastal viewpoint in the range. On a clear day you can see Catalina Island, the full arc of Santa Monica Bay, and the Channel Islands. A legitimate workout hike with excellent payoff.

Terrain: Shaded canyon lower section. Exposed fire road ridge to overlook. Good footing throughout.
Who should do this: Fit intermediate hikers who want the best coastal views in the range. Good training hike. Dog-friendly.
Who should skip this: Skip in marine layer conditions when the overlook views will be obscured. Skip after 9am in summer — the ridge is fully exposed.