Winter Hikes Near Los Angeles (Without the Snow)

Looking for winter hikes near Los Angeles that don’t require a trip into the snow? The coast and lower foothills offer plenty of year-round hiking options. You can hike to an ocean overlook, see the Hollywood Sign, or explore a canyon without heading up into the higher, snow-covered mountains.

When I first started hiking in 2014, the Santa Monica Mountains were my go-to as a beginner and leisure hiker. I’ve explored a lot of these trails over the years and am sharing my picks for the cooler months, from a quick city workout to a longer hike with ocean views.

These winter hikes in Southern California are usually snow-free, but rare cold storms can bring snow or ice to lower elevations, especially on higher routes like Sandstone Peak. I’ve hiked these trails in different seasons, including a December trip to Sandstone Peak, so check the forecast and current trail access before choosing your hike.

And remember, winter in SoCal still gets cold! Temperatures can drop significantly early in the morning and once the sun goes down, and coastal wind can make an ocean overlook feel even chillier. Pack a warm layer even if the afternoon forecast looks comfortable.

Current access note — October 14, 2026: Echo Mountain and Lower Sam Merrill Trail remain closed under the Eaton Fire closure, currently listed through December 31, 2027. I’ve included Echo Mountain below as a hike to keep in mind after it reopens. Choose another trail while the closure is in effect, and check current notices for every route before heading out.

Best winter hikes near Los Angeles

Hike	Location	Approximate distance	Difficulty
Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook	Culver City	1.3 miles; route combinations vary	Moderate, with steep stairs
Hollywood Sign via Wisdom Tree	Hollywood Hills	3 miles round trip	Moderate to strenuous
Corral Canyon	Malibu	2.5-mile loop	Moderate
Los Leones to Parker Mesa Overlook	Pacific Palisades	About 8 miles for the route in my guide	Moderate
Echo Mountain via Lower Sam Merrill Trail — currently closed	Altadena	About 5 miles round trip	Moderate
Sandstone Peak	Western Santa Monica Mountains	3 miles out and back or a 6-mile loop	Moderate, with a rocky summit climb
MAS*H filming site	Malibu Creek State Park	About 5 miles round trip via Crags Road	Easy to moderate

Some of these are right in the city; Sandstone Peak is farther out near the LA–Ventura county line. Plan for traffic and parking, especially on a weekend. Distances can change with your parking spot and any extra stops along the way.

1. Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook

MILES: About 1.3 miles for a stairs-and-trail outing
DIFFICULTY: Moderate; the stairs are steep
LOCATION: Culver City
TRAIL ACCESS: Jefferson Boulevard near Hetzler Road

Baldwin Hills is home to the famous Culver City stairs and one of the easiest-to-access hikes if you’re already in LA. It’s a quick workout with views toward Downtown LA, the Santa Monica Mountains, and the ocean. On a clear winter day, you may even see the snow-capped San Gabriel Mountains behind downtown.

You can climb the stairs straight up or take the Hillside Trail for a more gradual route. The paths intersect, so you can make this hike as short or long as you want. I like that there are different options depending on whether you want a stair workout or a quick hike.

The hill is exposed, which makes cooler weather a better fit than a hot summer afternoon. Pack a jacket for the top and watch your footing on wet steps.

PRO TIP: If you want the city views with less climbing, the park also has paid parking near the visitor center at the top. Check the official Baldwin Hills page for fees and access. Park hours are listed as 8 a.m. to sunset.

👉 Read my full Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook guide here.

2. Hollywood Sign via Wisdom Tree and Cahuenga Peak

MILES: About 3 miles round trip; about 1.5 miles if you turn around at Wisdom Tree
DIFFICULTY: Moderate to strenuous
LOCATION: Hollywood Hills
TRAILHEAD: Wonder View Trail, approached from the Lake Hollywood Drive area

This is one of my favorite hikes for a view over Los Angeles. I prefer the route from Wisdom Tree because it feels more like a hike—you’re on a narrow dirt trail instead of a wide fire road for most of the outing.

The first climb is short but steep, gaining about 800 feet in roughly three-quarters of a mile. You can stop at Wisdom Tree for a shorter workout or keep going along the ridge toward Cahuenga Peak and the back of the Hollywood Sign. The sign looks different from behind, so if you want the classic front-facing photo, see my guide to the best view of the Hollywood Sign instead.

I’ve hiked this route for sunset, but winter daylight is much shorter. Leave time for the rocky descent and pack a headlamp. A dry day is a better choice for this trail than a wet, slippery one.

Parking is in a residential neighborhood. Follow the posted restrictions, keep driveways clear, and respect the barriers near the Hollywood Sign. Check Griffith Park’s official information for current park notices.

👉 Read my Hollywood Sign hike guide here, or use my Wisdom Tree guide for the shorter option.

3. Corral Canyon

MILES: 2.5-mile loop
ELEVATION GAIN: About 520 feet
DIFFICULTY: Moderate
LOCATION: Malibu
TRAILHEAD: Sara Wan Trailhead on Pacific Coast Highway

Corral Canyon is one of my favorite hikes in Malibu. It’s short, conveniently located right off PCH, and you get beautiful ocean views for much of the hike. I prefer hiking the loop clockwise because the ocean views are better on the way down.

This is a good choice for a clear winter day when you want a coastal hike with some climbing. There are exposed sections, so bring water and sun protection even when it feels cool. After rain, check that the trail has dried enough to use without damaging it.

PRO TIP: The trailhead is next to Malibu Seafood, which is a good place to stop for a bite after your hike. Parking gets crowded, so plan ahead and follow posted parking rules. The MRCA Corral Canyon page has the trailhead address and current parking information. Dogs are allowed on leash.

👉 See Corral Canyon and more ocean-view trails in my Malibu hikes guide.

4. Los Leones Trail to Parker Mesa Overlook

MILES: About 8 miles round trip for the route in my guide; my recorded outing was 8.3 miles
ELEVATION GAIN: About 1,352 feet on my recorded outing
DIFFICULTY: Moderate
LOCATION: Pacific Palisades
TRAILHEAD: Los Liones Trailhead on Los Liones Drive

Los Leones to Parker Mesa Overlook is one of my favorite hikes in the Santa Monica Mountains. The view at the end is amazing, and the climb will give you a good workout along the way. I’ve hiked this trail a few times, and it’s a nice option if you want ocean views closer to Santa Monica without driving farther up the Malibu coast.

The route starts on the narrower Los Leones Trail, connects with East Topanga Fire Road, and finishes on the side trail to Parker Mesa Overlook. The overlook has benches and views of PCH, Santa Monica, and the coast. I’ve brought snacks and stopped for a little picnic at the top—leave time to enjoy the view before heading back down.

After the first part of the hike, much of the route is exposed. Cooler winter weather makes the climb more comfortable, but still bring water and sun protection. Pack a warm layer for the overlook, where stopping in the coastal wind can feel much colder than hiking uphill.

PRO TIP: You may see the trail spelled Los Leones or Los Liones. Both names refer to the same canyon trail. Different starting points can make the hike shorter, so check which route your map uses before comparing mileage.

Check the Topanga State Park page for current access and parking information. Some parts of the park remain closed after the Palisades Fire, and temporary weather or work closures can affect access. Dogs are not allowed on the park trails.

👉 Read my Los Leones Trail to Parker Mesa Overlook guide here.

5. Echo Mountain — currently closed

STATUS: Closed under the Eaton Fire closure; currently listed through December 31, 2027
MILES: About 5 miles round trip when access is open
ELEVATION GAIN: About 1,370 feet
DIFFICULTY: Moderate
LOCATION: Altadena, in the San Gabriel foothills
TRAILHEAD: Cobb Estate at the north end of Lake Avenue

Do not hike this route while the closure is in effect. LA County’s current closure notice lists Lower Sam Merrill Trail, Echo Mountain Trail, and the Echo Mountain picnic site as closed. Save this one for after an official reopening.

Before the fire, Echo Mountain was a popular hike from the edge of Altadena to the historic Mount Lowe Railway ruins. I first explored it in March 2015 as part of a longer hike to Inspiration Point and Muir Peak. We stopped at the ruins to enjoy the views over Los Angeles and refuel before continuing farther up.

The shorter Echo Mountain outing follows Lower Sam Merrill Trail up long switchbacks and returns the same way. It’s about 2.5 miles each way, with steady climbing and exposed sections. When it reopens, this is a route I’d consider on a cool day; rare low-elevation snow is still possible after a cold storm.

This shorter outing stops at Echo Mountain. Hikes to Inspiration Point and Muir Peak are higher, longer trips with different winter conditions.

👉 My Echo Mountain and Inspiration Point guide describes my earlier hikes; check the current closure notice before using those directions.

6. Sandstone Peak

MILES: About 3 miles out and back, or 6 miles for the Mishe Mokwa–Backbone loop
TIME: Allow about 3–5 hours for the longer loop
DIFFICULTY: Moderate, with a rocky final summit climb
SUMMIT ELEVATION: 3,111 feet
TRAILHEAD: Sandstone Peak parking area on Yerba Buena Road

Sandstone Peak is the highest point in the Santa Monica Mountains and my pick if you want a summit hike. You can go straight to the peak for a shorter outing, or hike the longer loop past Balanced Rock and Split Rock.

I hiked the loop in December, taking the Mishe Mokwa Trail counterclockwise for a more gradual ascent and finishing with Sandstone Peak. We also got confused on the way toward Tri Peaks and spent way more time there than planned. My map-reading skills are better now, but download the trail map before heading out so you don’t repeat that part of my trip!

The last climb onto Sandstone Peak is rocky. Take your time, and stop below the summit if the footing is wet or uncomfortable. This is the highest hike on this list, so check for snow or ice after an unusually cold storm before choosing it for a snow-free day.

PRO TIP: Park at Sandstone Peak Trailhead if you only want the shorter, roughly 1.5-mile climb each way. It’s also a beautiful sunrise option when conditions and access allow. Bring a warm layer for the exposed top.

👉 Read my Sandstone Peak and Tri Peaks guide here. Check NPS Circle X Ranch information and current alerts before driving up Yerba Buena Road.

7. MAS*H filming site at Malibu Creek State Park

MILES: About 5 miles round trip via Crags Road from the main day-use area
DIFFICULTY: Easy to moderate
LOCATION: Malibu Creek State Park, near Calabasas

The MAS*H filming site is a good winter hike if you want to walk farther without a steep summit climb. Follow the Crags Road route from the main day-use area toward the old set. Much of the walk is on a wide dirt road, with canyon scenery and rock formations along the way.

I’ve visited Malibu Creek a few times and like the volcanic rock landscapes—it’s a different kind of scenery from the coastal overlooks. Cooler weather also makes the exposed walking more comfortable than a hot summer afternoon.

Check trail and crossing conditions after rain. Parking fees apply, and dogs are not allowed on the hiking trails or dirt roads. Bring your own water; the official park page lists current notices about water service, facilities, and access.

👉 Read my Malibu Creek State Park guide for more hiking options and things to do.

FAQ: winter hikes near Los Angeles

When is the best time to hike near LA in winter?

November through February can be a good time for these exposed city and coastal hikes, but check the actual weather. Late fall can still be hot and windy, and winter brings rain and shorter days. Choose a dry, calm day for the steeper rocky routes.

Red flag warnings can trigger park and trail closures in the Santa Monica Mountains. Check the managing agency’s current alerts before leaving home, and follow posted closures.

What are the easiest winter hikes near Los Angeles on this list?

Baldwin Hills is the shortest outing, with flexible trail options, although the stairs are a workout! For a longer hike with gentler terrain, consider the MAS*H site via Crags Road. Corral Canyon is a shorter coastal option, but it still has climbing. Echo Mountain is currently closed and should not be part of your hiking plans.

Do these hikes get snow? Do I need microspikes?

They are normally snow-free in ordinary winter weather, especially the city and coastal trails. Foothill and summit routes such as Echo Mountain and Sandstone Peak can see snow during rare cold storms. In dry, snow-free conditions, these routes don’t call for microspikes. If you find snow or ice, choose another route for a day planned around avoiding snow.

If you do want a snow hike, start with my winter hikes and adventures hub and beginner snow hiking guide. Conditions in the San Gabriel and San Bernardino mountains can be very different from the coast.

Can you hike these trails after it rains?

It depends on the route and how much rain it received. Avoid deep mud, high creek crossings, and closed trails. Give the ground time to dry enough that your hike won’t damage it, and check for erosion or storm-related access notices.

Which hikes are dog friendly?

Corral Canyon allows dogs on leash. Dogs are not allowed on Los Leones and Parker Mesa trails in Topanga State Park or Malibu Creek’s hiking trails. Check the rules for your specific route before bringing your pup, and do not enter closed trails with or without a dog.

Other Southern California hikes you may like

• Malibu hikes with ocean views and easy trail options
• Best waterfall hikes near Los Angeles
• More Los Angeles and Southern California hiking guides

Thanks for reading! I’d love to hear your favorite winter hike near LA in the comments. Please don’t forget to practice Leave No Trace 🙂

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