Best Natural Parks Nearby Los Angeles Near Me

4worldlovers: Notice on Dogs: Please note that dogs are not allowed on the park trails, fire roads, or in the back country.

The PDF file below contains locations that allow Dogs. Dog Friendly Trails

Located in the cliffs and canyons of the Santa Monica Mountains, Topanga State Park features 36 miles of trails through open grassland, live oaks and spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean.

The park is located entirely within the Los Angeles city limits and is considered the world’s largest wildland within the boundaries of a major city. Excellent recreational opportunities for hikers as well as mountain bikers (restricted to fire roads) and equestrians.

The park is bound on the south by Pacific Palisades and Brentwood, on the west by Topanga Canyon, and on the east by Rustic Canyon. Numerous geologic formations can be found in the park, including earthquake faults, marine fossils, volcanic intrusions, and a wide variety of sedimentary formations.

A good place to start a visit to Topanga State Park is Trippet Ranch, once a "gentleman's ranch" for a weekend getaway from the city.

From Pacific Coast Highway, travel north on Topanga Canyon Boulevard, pass the post office at the center of "town," then turn right on Entrada Road.

Keep to the left at every opportunity until you reach the park's main parking lot (about one mile). From the Ventura Freeway (101), exit at Topanga Canyon Boulevard, drive south over the crest of the mountains and proceed three miles to Entrada Road and turn left.

Trail Closure Notice-3/22/2023: Storm damage has caused several slides along Bent Arrow Trail. This hike-only trail will be closed until major repairs or a re-route can be planned and implemented. Trail route information can be found at: Bent Arrow Trail.pdf (lacounty.gov)

Many of the park's trails can be accessed from Trippet Ranch. The Musch Trail leads north to Musch Trail Camp by winding in and out of the sun and shade where plant assemblages change with every subtle difference in light and moisture.

Two miles from Trippet is Eagle Junction, where hikers encounter the Eagle Spring loop trail. Eagle Rock, one of the many boulder outcrops on the trail, looms over the terrain and provides panoramic views of the park. At the eastern end of the Eagle Spring loop, hikers will come to the Hub Junction and the Temescal Fire Road.

Going north, hikers travel through chaparral to unpaved Mulholland Drive, which traverses the park. South on Temescal Fire Road takes hikers high above the wild canyons with sycamore and oak riparian forests below. At Rogers Junction, hikers can opt for the Backbone Trail, a trail that winds through the Santa Monica Mountains from Will Rogers State Historic park in the east to Point Mugu State Park in the west. Rustic Canyon can be seen from the Backbone Trail.

Another option from Trippet Ranch is to walk east to the Topanga Fire Road and then north for a short distance to the Santa Ynez Trail. Descending into the Santa Ynez Canyon, hikers can see crumbly sandstone formations containing pockets where moisture can collect, supporting numerous small plants that form tiny cliff gardens. Close to the bottom of the trail is a side trail leading to a lovely waterfall.

If you would like to perform commercial, student filming, or photography beyond point and shoot at the park, you need to contact the State Park film permit coordinator office at 818-880-0358. If you have any additional questions or would like additional information, please contant the general information line for Topanga State Park. 310-455-2465

4worldlovers:
Located alongside Compton Creek Bike Path in the City of Compton, the MRCA built this more than three-acre park on unused land belonging to adjacent George Washington Elementary School. Designed through a collaborative process with teachers, school staff, community members, and other stakeholders, the park features some of the natural habitat and plant communities found in the Compton Creek watershed, shade trees, walking paths, grassy areas, fitness equipment, picnic and seating areas, a multi-use amphitheater, parking, a community plaza, and interpretive signage.