Several trails near Los Angeles keep the ocean in view for most of the walk. But the rules differ from one site to the next, for dogs, parking and closures.
Picking a trail without checking them first can waste the trip. This article covers the main Palos Verdes and Point Dume trails, with access, parking, fees and timing.
Palos Verdes has the closest ocean views to the city
Palos Verdes has the closest ocean views to the city. For the simplest start, go to the Seascape Trail.
It begins at the Point Vicente Interpretive Center and follows the coast above the Pacific, so you keep the ocean in view along the path.
Dog rules differ between these three Palos Verdes areas, so check the one you plan to walk before you bring a dog.
| Rule | Palos Verdes Nature Preserve | Abalone Cove Shoreline Park | Ocean Trails Reserve |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dogs allowed | Yes | No | Yes |
| Leash limit | 6 feet max | No dogs | Preserve leash rules apply |
| Pick up after dog | Required | No dogs | Preserve rules apply |
Other easy trails with ocean views
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See the beginner-friendly LA trails list for more options.
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Temescal Canyon Trail
Rated moderate, so expect more climbing than on the Palos Verdes paths.
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Eaton Canyon
Starts inland in Altadena, away from the coast.
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Solstice Canyon
In the Santa Monica Mountains, a canyon walk rather than a coastal one.
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Millard Canyon
Check first. The ocean view depends on access being clear.
Point Dume is the simplest walk on the Malibu coast
Point Dume is the simplest walk on the Malibu coast. The trail climbs gradually from the end of Westward Beach Road to the coastal bluff, so the climb stays easy for most walkers.
Near the top, a boardwalk leads to a viewing platform. Stop there, because that is where the ocean is clearly visible from the bluff.
Choose your route by distance and ground:
- Poppy Trail: 0.06 miles each way to an ocean overlook above Big Dume Beach. It is the shortest option.
- Coreopsis Loop: 0.12 miles each way to a bluff overlook facing the ocean, Westward Beach and the Malibu coast.
- Coreopsis Trail: 0.09 miles each way on firm, compacted ground. It is mostly flat, with a few short slopes.
Point Dume: before you go
Hours
- Open from sunrise to sunset
- Plan your walk to finish before dark
Gray whales
- Pass Point Dume from December to mid-April
- February through spring is the best time to look for calves
Dogs
- Not allowed on the trails or the beach
Sunset
- Staying for dusk? Check the best sunset hikes in Los Angeles
Sara Wan and Zuma Canyon trade bluff views for longer loops
If you want a longer, quieter walk north of Point Dume, start with the Sara Wan Trail. It is a 2.5-mile loop through Corral Canyon in the Santa Monica Mountains.
The route climbs to the Puerco Canyon watershed divide, where you get ocean and mountain views. Parking and picnic facilities are at the trailhead on the north side of Pacific Coast Highway, 4.5 miles west of Malibu Canyon Road.
The Zuma loop is 3 miles, made from Ocean View and Canyon View trails. Bikes are not allowed. Water is only at Zuma Canyon Trailhead, so carry enough for the whole loop.
The lot opens at 8 a.m. and closes at sunset, so plan your visit within those hours.
Malibu Bluffs Open Space, at 24250 Pacific Coast Highway where it meets Malibu Canyon Road, has parking, restrooms and drinking fountains.
Both the Sara Wan and Zuma loops run mostly in open sun, with little shade. Bring a hat and sunscreen, and carry enough water for the full loop. Dogs need a leash of 6 feet or less and must stay under control. Hikers must yield to horses, so step off the trail to let them pass.
Parking and fees decide most trips
South of Crest Road, parking on Crenshaw Boulevard and Park Place needs a ParkMobile reservation. The rule covers 37 spaces, so plan this before you drive up.
Each reservation lasts 2 hours 45 minutes and costs $10, plus a $0.35 processing fee. Book at least 1 hour before your start time.
Free parking exists at several spots, with different limits:
- Crenshaw Boulevard north of Crest Road: free street parking, no time limit.
- Crest Road: free, but 2 hours maximum.
- Point Dume bluff top: free for 2 hours, but only few spaces.
- Westward Beach has more spaces, but its road is closed and the lower lot is unavailable.
- On weekdays, reservations are free from 7 a.m. to 8:45 a.m.
Before you drive
- Choose your site: Palos Verdes, Point Dume, or Sara Wan and Zuma north of Point Dume.
- For Sara Wan, have $12 ready for the parking lot.
- For Zuma Canyon, plan to arrive after 8 a.m., because the lot is open only from 8 a.m. to sunset.
- Look up the sunset time for your day, and plan to be back at your car before it.
Timing and trail alerts matter more than distance
Portuguese Bend trails can close with little notice. Right now Paintbrush Trail is closed, and the lower part of Burma Road Trail is closed from its junction with lower Eagle’s Nest and Upper Vanderlip trails.
Before you leave, check the Rancho Palos Verdes trail-alert page. It lists temporary closures and circulation plans. Conditions also change from day to day, so follow the signs at the trail.
Plan your visit to Point Dume for gray whale season, from December to mid-April. That is when you can look for them from the point, so pick a date inside those months.
Want to see calves? Go from February through spring. On a clear day, bring binoculars and scan the water from the lookout.
At Point Dume, keep to the marked trail. Walking off it damages the coastal bluff and its dunes. The edge of a bluff can also crumble without warning, so stay well back from the drop and never step past a fence or sign to get a better view.
Choose your site first: Palos Verdes, Point Dume, or the Sara Wan and Zuma trails north of Point Dume. Each has its own dog, parking and closure rules, so read its section before you go.
Then check the sunset time and the trail-alert page for your day. Book a ParkMobile slot if your site needs one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring my dog on the Ocean Trails Reserve trails?
Yes, you can bring your dog on the Ocean Trails Reserve trails. Keep it on a leash no longer than 6 feet, and pick up after it.
Bring the leash and a bag with you, since you will need both for the whole walk.
Which ocean-view trail near Los Angeles is best for sunset?
For sunset, go to the Sunset Trail in Ocean Trails Reserve, the trail the Ocean Trails map names for that purpose. Look up the sunset time for your day, and plan to be back at your car before it.
Is there a fee to enter Point Dume Natural Preserve?
No, you do not pay an entrance fee to enter Point Dume Natural Preserve. Parking at the top of Point Dume is free for 2 hours, but it has only a few spaces, so arrive early.
Is the Sara Wan Trail suitable for beginners?
Yes, if a steady climb suits you. The Sara Wan Trail is a 2.5-mile loop that climbs to the Puerco Canyon watershed divide. Go at an easy pace and stop at the top for ocean and mountain views.
