Katie Clary
Living Editor
Los Liones Canyon provides a strange interface between city and wildland. Located on bluffs adjacent to Sunset Boulevard in the heart of Pacific Palisades, you’ll see Beverly Hills socialites hill-climbing next to scruffy athletes. You never know who you might see on this rollercoaster trail — I once caught Seinfeld’s Michael Richard (character Cosmo Kramer) enjoying the canyon scenery.
I choose most of my favorite hikes according to an “escape factor” — how much these places and trails distance me from the city’s responsibilities. Los Liones Canyon is different. The consistent uphill climb has one purpose: to see a magnificent view of Los Angeles, Santa Monica and miles of inland track homes. Whatever the shortcomings of urban sprawl, the skyscrapers and cookie-cutter neighborhoods are symmetrically beautiful from far away.
To reach the trailhead, drive south on Pacific Coast Highway and turn left onto Sunset Boulevard. Less than half mile down Sunset, turn left again onto Los Liones Drive. Park in the lot on the right side of the road, just before you reach the Mormon church. The trail begins just past the church.
Prepare for a winding set of switchbacks up the shaded hillside on Los Liones Trail. For tall hikers, get ready to duck under the occasional tree limb or dodge a stray branch. Although the trail is well maintained, it’s also well-forested. Approximately 1.6 miles up, the narrow, curvy trail takes a sharp turn onto East Topanga Fire Road. Follow this wide dirt road uphill, then across a flat section until you reach Parker Mesa Overlook.
The fire road is guaranteed to last longer than you anticipate; there’s always just one more corner with one more incline. But the hike isn’t too steep, and unless you’re running the course, the climb is actually quite pleasant. After all, every extra corner brings another view, higher and more striking than the last. Look for the unusual sandstone cliffs to know you have nearly finished the steepest climb. You’ll hike 1.9 miles total on the East Topanga Fire Road.
Once over the hump, it’s nearly a straight shot to Parker Mesa Overlook, the most rewarding part of the hike. This half-mile tromp follows a ridge that intersects the Fire Road. The ridge dead-ends into an awe-inspiring snapshot of the Pacific Coast and the Los Angeles Basin. The 360 degree view and ocean breezes are enough to put anyone’s problems into perspective, or at least place you above them for a while.
Here’s an Aristotelian syllogism for you: If A) the coast looks like a gigantic horseshoe from this angle, and B) horseshoes bring good luck, then C) hiking to Parker Mesa Overlook with bring you good luck.
Be sure to resolve similar life conundrums in this beautiful spot before blitzing back down the mountain.
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