○ TIER 1 — SOURCED & RESEARCHED
3.4 miRound Trip
900 ftElev. Gain
ModerateDifficulty
2-3 hoursEst. Time
1,200 ftHighest Point
LoopRoute Type
YesDogs
NonePermit

Temescal Canyon Loop

๐ŸŒค Trail Weather โ€” Plan Your Hike Updated every 6 hrs ยท Trailhead coords
โœ…
Good Conditions โ€” Solid Day to Hike
78ยฐF, Clear Sky. Wind 13 mph. Standard 10 Essentials apply.
โ˜€๏ธ
78ยฐ
Clear Sky
Feels 79ยฐF
๐Ÿ’จ Wind
13 mph WSW
No significant gusts
๐Ÿ’ง Humidity
67%
Humid โ€” heat feels stronger
๐Ÿ‘ Visibility
6.2 mi
Good visibility
โ˜๏ธ Cloud Cover
0%
Clear โ€” full sun exposure
๐ŸŒ… Sunrise
6:15 am
Ideal start time
๐ŸŒ‡ Sunset
7:42 pm
Off trail by this
Today โ€” 3-Hour Intervals
2 pm
โ˜๏ธ
79ยฐ
Feels 79ยฐ
๐Ÿ’จ 9/7
5 pm
โ›…
78ยฐ
Feels 78ยฐ
๐Ÿ’จ 8/7
8 pm
๐ŸŒ™
70ยฐ
Feels 70ยฐ
๐Ÿ’จ 6/6
11 pm
๐ŸŒ™
68ยฐ
Feels 67ยฐ
๐Ÿ’จ 3/3
5-Day Forecast
โ˜๏ธ
Today
Scattered Clouds
79ยฐF
feels 79ยฐ
๐Ÿ’จ Wind/Gust
9/7 SSW
๐Ÿ’ง Humidity
65% Humid โ€” heat feels stronger
๐Ÿ‘ Visibility
6.2 mi โ€” Good visibility
โ˜๏ธ Clouds
40% Partly cloudy
โœ… Good Conditions โ€” Go Hike
๐ŸŒ™
Sat, Aug 15
Clear Sky
67ยฐF
feels 67ยฐ
๐Ÿ’จ Wind/Gust
2/3 SSE
๐Ÿ’ง Humidity
76% High humidity โ€” pace yourself
๐Ÿ‘ Visibility
6.2 mi โ€” Good visibility
โ˜๏ธ Clouds
1% Clear โ€” full sun exposure
โœ… Good Conditions โ€” Go Hike
๐ŸŒ™
Sun, Aug 16
Clear Sky
71ยฐF
feels 71ยฐ
๐Ÿ’จ Wind/Gust
2/2 S
๐Ÿ’ง Humidity
66% Humid โ€” heat feels stronger
๐Ÿ‘ Visibility
6.2 mi โ€” Good visibility
โ˜๏ธ Clouds
0% Clear โ€” full sun exposure
โœ… Good Conditions โ€” Go Hike
๐ŸŒ™
Mon, Aug 17
Clear Sky
71ยฐF
feels 71ยฐ
๐Ÿ’จ Wind/Gust
4/5 ESE
๐Ÿ’ง Humidity
59% Humid โ€” heat feels stronger
๐Ÿ‘ Visibility
6.2 mi โ€” Good visibility
โ˜๏ธ Clouds
0% Clear โ€” full sun exposure
โœ… Good Conditions โ€” Go Hike
โ˜๏ธ
Tue, Aug 18
Broken Clouds
72ยฐF
feels 72ยฐ
๐Ÿ’จ Wind/Gust
3/4 SE
๐Ÿ’ง Humidity
64% Humid โ€” heat feels stronger
๐Ÿ‘ Visibility
6.2 mi โ€” Good visibility
โ˜๏ธ Clouds
63% Mostly cloudy
โœ… Good Conditions โ€” Go Hike
Trailhead elevation only. Conditions change at altitude. Check weather.gov before heading out. Aug 14, 1:16 pm

One of the most heavily trafficked coastal conditioning loops in Southern California. A steep shaded canyon wall transitions to exposed ocean-facing ridges with clear views of Santa Monica Bay.

Trail Overview

Temescal is the Pacific Palisades workout trail. It is popular because it delivers โ€” good views, genuine elevation gain, and easy access from the west side of LA. The canyon section is shaded and beautiful. The ridge is fully exposed and the ocean views are outstanding. This trail is genuinely crowded on weekend mornings. If you want solitude go elsewhere. If you want a solid workout with great views this is the right call.

This Hike Is For You If…

Intermediate hikers who want a satisfying workout close to the west side of LA. Dog-friendly.

Skip This Hike If…

Skip if you cannot handle crowds. This is one of the most congested trails in the range on weekend mornings.

What to Expect on Trail

Terrain: Singletrack canyon lower section. Exposed fire road ridge return. Good footing throughout.

Shade: Partial

Water: Seasonal. Temescal Creek lower section seasonal.

Views: Outstanding

Crowds: Among most crowded trails in Santa Monica Mountains. Weekdays and early mornings significantly better.

Dogs: Yes, dogs are welcome on this trail.

Best Arrival: Before 8am on weekends. One of the busiest trailheads in the Santa Monicas.


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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3.4 miRound Trip
900 ftElev. Gain
ModerateDifficulty
2-3 hoursEst. Time
1200 ftHighest Point
LoopRoute Type
YesDogs
NonePermit

Trailhead & Logistics

Address: Temescal Gateway Park, Temescal Canyon Road, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272
Parking: $5 parking fee at Temescal Gateway Park. Street parking on Temescal Canyon Road fills fast.
Bathroom: Flush Toilets
Cell Service: Good
Best Arrival: Before 8am on weekends. One of the busiest trailheads in the Santa Monicas.

Trail Reality Check

Temescal is the Pacific Palisades workout trail. It is popular because it delivers โ€” good views, genuine elevation gain, and easy access from the west side of LA. The canyon section is shaded and beautiful. The ridge is fully exposed and the ocean views are outstanding. This trail is genuinely crowded on weekend mornings. If you want solitude go elsewhere. If you want a solid workout with great views this is the right call.

Terrain: Singletrack canyon lower section. Exposed fire road ridge return. Good footing throughout.
Shade: Partial
Water: Seasonal โ€” Temescal Creek lower section seasonal.
Views: Outstanding
Crowds: Very Busy โ€” Among most crowded trails in Santa Monica Mountains. Weekdays and early mornings significantly better.
Who should do this: Intermediate hikers who want a satisfying workout close to the west side of LA. Dog-friendly.
Who should skip this: Skip if you cannot handle crowds. This is one of the most congested trails in the range on weekend mornings.