Parker Mesa Overlook: Best View In Town

Incredibly, the public can still enjoy unadulterated hilltop views of LA, from downtown to Malibu on a clear day. Don’t worry, this so-called ‘best view in town’ doesn’t involve scoring an invite to some exclusive mansion or becoming hired help. All that’s required is a bit of driving and hiking.



Parker Mesa Overlook can be reached two separate ways. One starts from Trippet Ranch in Topanga Canyon – the same starting point as the Eagle Rock hike. The other way – and my personal favorite - begins in Pacific Palisades from Paseo Miramar Road.



From Paseo Miramar, you will enjoy spectacular 180 degree views of LA the whole 2.5 miles up to the overlook. And when I say up, I mean up – a 1200 foot elevation gain to be exact. So on top of the views, this is a serious calorie burner.

The wide trail meanders up the ridge between the Los Liones and Santa Ynez canyons. Since it isn't a wooded trail with shade, remember to bring a hat. My favorite time to come is a few days after a spring rain when you're sure to spot wildflowers.



Thankfully, there are benches on the knoll at the top where you can rest and take in the view. If it’s really clear, you can spot Catalina Island in the distance. Be forewarned that the view is so captivating hikers have been known to completely forget about time. My husband and I got caught in the Parker Mesa Overlook’s spell and ended up hiking down in the dark – not something I’d generally recommend.

Click here for a great photo of Parker Mesa snapped by a fellow blogger.

The only downside to the Paseo Miramar starting point is that it sometimes can be hard to find parking in the neighborhood.

Driving Directions:
- From Santa Monica, drive north on PCH to Sunset Blvd.
- Turn right and drive 0.3 miles to Paseo Miramar
- Turn left onto Paseo Miramar and drive until the end of the road

Eagle Rock Hike: Topanga Canyon

Hike 2 miles to see a rock?

Eagle Rock is actually more a massive boulder outcrop and like most things it’s more about the journey than the goal.



The real rewards of this walk are the stunning views of Topanga Canyon and the slivers of Pacific Ocean you’ll catch on a clear day. The fact that the surrounding hills are not packed with homes like you see on other trails is also a plus.



Whether the funky-looking rock is so-named because it resembles an eagle or because eagles sometimes soar around it is up for debate (at least in my mind). I can sort of make out the head and wings of an eagle on the boulder (shown above), but maybe my imagination is just on overdrive.



The 2 mile jaunt (4 miles roundtrip) is the shortest hike out of Trippet Ranch, the starting point. While most of the trail is along a wide, meandering fire road with a mild incline, the final ¼ mile gets a bit steeper and narrower. There are occasional forks in the road. But as far as getting lost, the trail is very clearly signed so I’d be impressed if you managed it.



It’s pretty much uphill the whole way to the rock. A bench inscribed with “Rest for the Soul” awaits you there.



Colorful wildflowers congregate along the path in spring, making it a great time to go. In summer, the grass and shrubs can look a bit thirsty. Evenings, when the sunset light casts a golden glow over the grass and shrubs and when the packs of hikers have gone home, is my favorite part of the day here.



Wildlife sightings are common. Jack rabbits scurry across the path, birds flutter through the grassy fields, and deer sometimes pop up. Watch out for the dung presents left behind by the horses ridden on the path. (I learned the hard way.)

There is a day use fee of $5 per car to use the parking lot at Trippet Ranch. This, however, can be avoided by parking about 150 feet away from the entrance on Entrada Road and walking in.

Directions:
o Take Topanga Canyon Blvd (Hwy 27)
o Turn on Entrada Drive
o Carefully follow signs along the winding road for about a mile to the
Trippet Ranch entrance