Cross a meadow to a gentle
path that overlooks the Pacific. This is one of LA's most peaceful settings.
Location: Charmlee
Wilderness Park Region: Malibu/Santa Monica Mountains Distance: 3.1 mi. loop Difficulty: Easy When to go: Year-round Hours: 8 a.m. to sunset Phone: 310-457-7247 Elevation Gain: 480 ft. Are dogs allowed: Yes, on a leash. Restrooms: In the parking lot. Parking: $3 in parking lot (no street parking available).
Trail Information
Full Review: Complain all you want about the other side of LA, where
smog and congestion and bad attitudes dominate the landscape. Over here, on
the Pacific side of the Santa Monica Mountains, it's an entirely different
story. On an ocean-facing hilltop you can sit amid tall grasses and oaks,
watching waves crash onto the Malibu coast, enjoying total solitude. This is
the LA that can turn an outsider's deepest disdain into envy.
There are few better places to take advantage of the views than the
overlooks in Charmlee Wilderness Park. This is where I take out-of-towners
or anyone who needs convincing that LA isn't a horrible place.
To find the trailhead, walk from the parking lot toward the picnic area (if
you get to the Nature Center, you went the wrong way). On the left side of
the picnic area, you'll find the unmarked Botany Trail. You'll know it by
the plant identification signs posted along the path. Follow this trail to
the next junction and keep to the left.
Since most of the trails here aren't marked, you're best off going left at
every fork until you reach the ocean. Then, stay along the coastline as long
as you can. Eventually you'll be forced to turn inland, where you'll start
walking along the west side of the meadow. When you reach an intersection,
turn right. This is the Fire Ecology Trail, which takes you into the heart
of the meadow, where you'll turn left at the next fork to meet up with the
wider fire road.
Go left onto the fire road, then right at the next junction. This takes you
back to the far side of the picnic area. If you want to stop in at the
Nature Center, turn left before the kiosk. It's just a few steps up the
road, and worth the visit. Open weekends and holidays only.
This website is sponsored by Cox Communications,
Orange County. Cox
Communications does not however endorse the above events or links. To ensure
proper delivery
of the OCnow Newsletter to your inbox (not bulk or junk folders), please add
OCnow@updates.cox.com to your address book.
Rest
assured, your privacy and satisfaction are
our top concerns.
Review our
privacy policy and
visitor agreement. Copyright 2009 OCnow.com.
All rights reserved.
If
you’re looking for mountain biking trails...
it’s all right here where you live
and play.
