○ TIER 1 — SOURCED & RESEARCHED
8.6 miRound Trip
600 ftElev. Gain
ModerateDifficulty
4-5 hoursEst. Time
1,100 ftHighest Point
Out-and-BackRoute Type
YesDogs
NonePermit

Serrano Canyon Trail

๐ŸŒค Trail Weather โ€” Plan Your Hike Updated every 6 hrs ยท Trailhead coords
โœ…
Good Conditions โ€” Solid Day to Hike
79ยฐF, Broken Clouds. Wind 1 mph. Standard 10 Essentials apply.
โ˜๏ธ
79ยฐ
Broken Clouds
Feels 79ยฐF
๐Ÿ’จ Wind
1 mph SE
Gusts to 5 mph
๐Ÿ’ง Humidity
64%
Humid โ€” heat feels stronger
๐Ÿ‘ Visibility
3 mi
Reduced โ€” marine layer possible
โ˜๏ธ Cloud Cover
73%
Mostly cloudy
๐ŸŒ… Sunrise
6:01 am
Ideal start time
๐ŸŒ‡ Sunset
8:03 pm
Off trail by this
Today โ€” 3-Hour Intervals
2 pm
โ˜๏ธ
79ยฐ
Feels 79ยฐ
๐Ÿ’จ 7/4
5 pm
โ˜๏ธ
80ยฐ
Feels 83ยฐ
๐Ÿ’จ 9/8
8 pm
โ˜๏ธ
77ยฐ
Feels 77ยฐ
๐Ÿ’จ 8/10
11 pm
๐ŸŒฅ๏ธ
69ยฐ
Feels 69ยฐ
๐Ÿ’จ 1/2
5-Day Forecast
โ˜๏ธ
Today
Broken Clouds
79ยฐF
feels 79ยฐ
๐Ÿ’จ Wind/Gust
7/4 SW
๐Ÿ’ง Humidity
64% Humid โ€” heat feels stronger
๐Ÿ‘ Visibility
2.8 mi โ€” Reduced โ€” marine layer possible
โ˜๏ธ Clouds
75% Mostly cloudy
โœ… Good Conditions โ€” Go Hike
๐ŸŒ™
Sat, Jul 25
Clear Sky
67ยฐF
feels 67ยฐ
๐Ÿ’จ Wind/Gust
5/6 SE
๐Ÿ’ง Humidity
81% High humidity โ€” pace yourself
๐Ÿ‘ Visibility
6.2 mi โ€” Good visibility
โ˜๏ธ Clouds
9% Clear โ€” full sun exposure
๐ŸŸก Warm & Humid โ€” Extra Water
โ˜๏ธ
Sun, Jul 26
Overcast Clouds
68ยฐF
feels 68ยฐ
๐Ÿ’จ Wind/Gust
2/3 SSE
๐Ÿ’ง Humidity
81% High humidity โ€” pace yourself
๐Ÿ‘ Visibility
6.2 mi โ€” Good visibility
โ˜๏ธ Clouds
100% Overcast
๐ŸŸก Warm & Humid โ€” Extra Water
โ˜๏ธ
Mon, Jul 27
Scattered Clouds
67ยฐF
feels 67ยฐ
๐Ÿ’จ Wind/Gust
7/9 SE
๐Ÿ’ง Humidity
81% High humidity โ€” pace yourself
๐Ÿ‘ Visibility
6.2 mi โ€” Good visibility
โ˜๏ธ Clouds
41% Partly cloudy
๐ŸŸก Warm & Humid โ€” Extra Water
โ˜๏ธ
Tue, Jul 28
Scattered Clouds
65ยฐF
feels 66ยฐ
๐Ÿ’จ Wind/Gust
5/7 SE
๐Ÿ’ง Humidity
84% High humidity โ€” pace yourself
๐Ÿ‘ Visibility
6.2 mi โ€” Good visibility
โ˜๏ธ Clouds
37% Partly cloudy
๐ŸŸก Warm & Humid โ€” Extra Water
Trailhead elevation only. Conditions change at altitude. Check weather.gov before heading out. Jul 24, 2:34 pm

A quiet backcountry escape from the Sycamore Canyon floor, squeezing through a narrow oak-choked rocky gorge that feels completely removed from the coast. Dense canopy, dramatic narrows, and outstanding wildlife viewing.

Trail Overview

Serrano Canyon is the best kept secret in Point Mugu State Park. Most visitors stay on the main fire road. Walk past it and into Serrano and the canyon narrows, the sycamores close overhead, and you are in genuine backcountry terrain despite being a mile from PCH. The canyon narrows require some easy boulder hopping. Deer, coyote, and raptors are regularly sighted.

This Hike Is For You If…

Intermediate hikers who want solitude and natural canyon character. Wildlife watchers. Anyone who has done Sycamore Canyon and wants to go deeper.

Skip This Hike If…

Skip if the $10 day use fee is prohibitive.

What to Expect on Trail

Terrain: Wide fire road to canyon junction then narrow singletrack. Some boulder hopping in the narrows.

Shade: Mostly Shaded

Water: Seasonal. Serrano Creek seasonal. May require crossings.

Views: Good

Crowds: Very few hikers venture into Serrano Canyon. Often completely alone.

Dogs: Yes, dogs are welcome on this trail.

Best Arrival: Morning is ideal. This canyon is shaded and comfortable most of the day.


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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8.6 miRound Trip
600 ftElev. Gain
ModerateDifficulty
4-5 hoursEst. Time
1100 ftHighest Point
Out-and-BackRoute Type
YesDogs
NonePermit

Trailhead & Logistics

Address: Sycamore Canyon Campground, Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA 90265
Parking: $10 day use fee at Sycamore Canyon. Restrooms at campground. Trail begins from campground interior.
Bathroom: Flush Toilets
Cell Service: None
Best Arrival: Morning is ideal. This canyon is shaded and comfortable most of the day.

Trail Reality Check

Serrano Canyon is the best kept secret in Point Mugu State Park. Most visitors stay on the main fire road. Walk past it and into Serrano and the canyon narrows, the sycamores close overhead, and you are in genuine backcountry terrain despite being a mile from PCH. The canyon narrows require some easy boulder hopping. Deer, coyote, and raptors are regularly sighted.

Terrain: Wide fire road to canyon junction then narrow singletrack. Some boulder hopping in the narrows.
Shade: Mostly Shaded
Water: Seasonal โ€” Serrano Creek seasonal. May require crossings.
Views: Good
Crowds: Quiet โ€” Very few hikers venture into Serrano Canyon. Often completely alone.
Who should do this: Intermediate hikers who want solitude and natural canyon character. Wildlife watchers. Anyone who has done Sycamore Canyon and wants to go deeper.
Who should skip this: Skip if the $10 day use fee is prohibitive.