This West Side classic takes you
past a small waterfall onto a ridge overlooking the ocean.
Location: Temescal
Gateway Park Region: Pacific Palisades/Santa Monica Mountains Distance: 3.6 mile loop
Difficulty: Easy with a fairly steep descent. When to go: Year-round. Hours: Sun up to sunset. Phone: 310-454-1395 Elevation Gain: 1,200 ft. Are dogs allowed: No. They're allowed in the park (on a leash), but
not on this particular trail. Restrooms: Yes, near the parking lot. Parking: $6 to park in the lot. There is free street parking on
Sunset Blvd. and along the southwest side of Temescal Canyon Rd., by the
school.
Trail Information
Full Review: If you live west of the 405
and haven't hiked this loop, you're probably in the minority. From the
before-work speed-hiking crowd to the early evening joggers, there seems to
be a steady stream of trail-goers huffing and puffing their way up the
ridge. It's more than a convenient workout spot for West Side residents,
however. It's also a great opportunity to catch an easy glimpse of the
coastline, any day of the year.
Walk north from the parking lot and a trail sign will point you to the left,
where you'll step up a small hill to the junction of several trailheads. The
one you want is on the right, Temescal Canyon Trail (same direction as the
Waterfall sign). The path crosses a paved road before splitting off slightly
to the right and starting a gradual ascent along the canyon rim.
After 1.1 mi. you'll cross the bridge overlooking the waterfall, which slows
to a barely detectable trickle in late summer and fall. About a third of a
mile past the waterfall you'll reach another junction. Turn right to take a
half-mile detour up to an interesting rock formation, Skull Rock. When you
reach the rock, return to the junction and turn right to continue the loop.
(You can skip the Skull Rock side trip to shorten the hike by a mile.)
The Temescal Ridge Trail takes you all the way back down to where you
started. Keep to the left at any junctions. This section takes you along a
ridge overlooking the ocean before dropping down into chaparral tunnels that
shade the very steep descent.
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