Coolest Piers & Boardwalks
Last Updated on Mar 26, 2025
For those who love ocean views with their hikes, LA has incredible coastal trails. Point Dume Trail in Malibu offers stunning cliffside views and a chance to spot whales in the distance. El Matador State Beach Trail leads to hidden sea caves and picturesque rock formations. Escondido Falls Trail combines a waterfall hike with ocean breezes in Malibu. Los Liones Trail in Pacific Palisades features lush greenery and breathtaking ocean views. Abalone Cove Trail in Palos Verdes leads to tide pools and rugged coastline scenery. Palos Verdes Bluffs Trail provides panoramic coastal views and a peaceful hiking experience. Sandstone Peak via Mishe Mokwa Trail offers sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean from the highest point in the Santa Monica Mountains. Leo Carrillo Beach Trail leads to secluded coves and sea caves. Malibu Lagoon State Beach Trail is perfect for birdwatching and oceanfront serenity. Crystal Cove State Park Trails in Orange County offer stunning coastal vistas and rolling hills.
Point Dume Cove Trail in Malibu, Los Angeles, is a captivating 1.4-mile hike that unfolds like a journey through earthly paradise. Adorned with vibrant wildflowers and set against the backdrop of the majestic ocean, the trail offers a celestial panorama that seems endless. The allure of this leisurely hike lies in the breathtaking views it provides, showcasing Santa Monica Bay, the Malibu coast, the Santa Monica Mountains, and even Catalina Island. The experience is nothing short of enchanting, with each turn captivating your senses. Point Dume holds cinematic significance, most notably featuring in the final scene of "Planet of the Apes," where a giant replica of the Statue of Liberty is buried in the sand overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The trail has also served as a backdrop for iconic films such as "The Big Lebowski," "Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me," "Pearl Harbor," and "Charlie’s Angels," etching its place in the annals of Hollywood history.
Bluff Cove Trail, situated near Palos Verdes Peninsula, California, stands as a picturesque marvel, offering breathtaking vistas that encompass Bluff Cove, Flat Rock Point, and the Palos Verdes Estates Shoreline. The trail itself, winding through the coastal landscape, provides an immersive experience, guiding hikers to the rocky beach below. It is essential to don appropriate hiking gear, ensuring a comfortable descent. During low tide, the shoreline becomes a captivating canvas for exploration, revealing tide pools in both directions. The allure of this trail is not only in its natural beauty but also in its cinematic history, with Hollywood having utilized the Palos Verdes Peninsula as a backdrop for films such as "Rebel With A Cause" in 1955, featuring the iconic "chicken sequence," and "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir" in 1947. The site resonates with a timeless charm that has captured the lens of filmmakers for over a century.
Corral Canyon Trail, located in the Santa Monica Mountains near Malibu, Los Angeles, offers a tranquil 2.5-mile loop starting from the Sara Wan Trailhead. The trail meanders through lush chaparral shrubbery, following a scenic river, and treats hikers to impressive views of coastal Malibu. As you ascend to the mesa's summit, the panorama unfolds, providing unobstructed views from Palos Verdes to Point Dume, creating a sensation of being atop the ocean. The trail is part of the 1,000-acre Corral Canyon Park, safeguarding an undeveloped stretch of the Santa Monica Mountains between Dan Blocker Beach and Malibu Creek State Park. Beyond its natural allure, Malibu has a rich cinematic history, with the first recorded use of the location in 1926 for Warner Bros.' film "Across the Pacific," starring Myrna Loy, marking the beginning of Malibu as a backdrop for Hollywood's cinematic dreams.
Ray Miller Backbone Trail, nestled in Point Mugu State Park near Camarillo, California, beckons outdoor enthusiasts to embark on a rewarding 5.4-mile out-and-back adventure. With a moderate level of challenge and an elevation gain of 1,046 feet, this trail offers a scenic escape for hikers, birdwatchers, and runners alike. Taking approximately 2 hours and 38 minutes to complete, the journey provides a satisfying workout amidst the natural beauty of the region. The trail is a popular year-round destination, ensuring that its captivating vistas are accessible in every season. From the trailhead located off the Pacific Coast Highway, hikers ascend to enjoy stunning ocean views and later converge with the Overlook Fire Road, allowing them to savor the coastal charm before heading back. It's worth noting that this adventure is a pet-free zone, as dogs are not permitted on the Ray Miller Backbone Trail.
Discover the natural splendor of Malibu, California, by venturing onto the Solstice Canyon Loop, a 3.0-mile hiking trail that promises a moderately challenging yet rewarding outdoor experience. With an elevation gain of 669 feet, this trail invites hikers to explore shaded canyons in the picturesque Santa Monica Mountains, providing beauty throughout the year. The journey includes notable landmarks, such as a historic stone building, a small waterfall, and the intriguing ruins of a mansion. Adventurous souls can veer off onto spur trails like the Rising Sun Trail, leading to the enchanting Tropical Terrace featuring exotic plants, a 30-foot waterfall, and a hidden statue of the Virgin Mary. As the loop progresses along a service road adorned with lush vegetation, hikers are treated to the serene beauty that makes Solstice Canyon a popular and enchanting hiking destination.
Embark on a nature retreat in Rancho Palos Verdes, California, by traversing the Pescadero Trail at Pelican Cove Park—a captivating 0.6-mile out-and-back pathway celebrated for its moderate challenge, panoramic views, and a secluded rocky beach awaiting discovery. This scenic trail, with an elevation gain of 154 feet, is a favorite among birding enthusiasts, hikers, and walkers, providing a refreshing escape into nature just moments away from urban life. The approximately 20-minute journey leads to a stunning rocky beach, offering hikers a rewarding experience with breathtaking views. Despite its popularity, the trail allows for moments of solitude, especially during quieter times of the day. Open year-round, the Pescadero Trail provides a continuous opportunity to immerse oneself in the natural beauty of the California coastline. It's important to note that this particular trail is a pet-free zone, ensuring a serene and undisturbed environment for all nature lovers. Prepare for a satisfying workout on the ascent and relish in the short yet invigorating journey that Pescadero Trail offers.