Topanga State Park   [Photo from hellola.cn]

Trail: Los Liones Trail to Parker Mesa Overlook

Distance: About 7 miles round-trip

Special Feature: The magnificent views at Parker Mesa Overlook

Getting There: The hike begins in Pacific Palisades at the end of Los Liones Drive, just north of Sunset BLvd. Leave the car in the parking lot at the end of the street (fee: $10). From there, follow the trail up to East Topanga Fire Rd. and follow that to the turnoff for the Parker Mesa Overlook.

Switchbacks and steep hill climbs characterize the first two miles of this hike. With an elevation gain of about 1,300 feet, it's definitely a tougher climb. But you can find your reward as you gaze out from a vantage point atop the bluff. Enjoy a picnic lunch or relax on a bench while taking in the overlook.

 

Malibu Creek State Park

[Photo from hellola.cn]

Trail: Crags Road

Distance: About 4.75 miles round trip

Special Feature: World-famous M*A*S*H outdoor set

Getting There: Take Pacific Coast Highway north / west to Malibu Canyon Road and turn right past Pepperdine University. In the canyon, pass through the tunnel and go past the light at Piuma Road. Just before the next light at Mulholland Highway, turn left into Malibu Creek State Park.

Malibu Creek State Park spans 7,000 acres of beautiful scenery and features 15 miles of streamside trails through oak and sycamore woodlands, as well as chaparral-covered slopes. After a good rain, the namesake Malibu Creek comes to life. Malibu Creek State Park is home to the outdoor set of the legendary television program M*A*S*H. The site still draws visitors from all over the world decades after the show left the air. The park is the former location ranch of 20th Century Fox studios, which owned the land from 1946 to 1974. Many films and TV programs were shot in Malibu Creek State Park, including Robert Altman's original 1970 "M*A*S*H" film, "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" and "Planet of the Apes" (1968).

From the parking lot, hike west on Crags Road into the park. Stay on Crags Road and follow the signs to the M*A*S*H set. The hike is easy with minimal elevation gain.

 

Solstice Canyon

 [Photo from hellola.cn]

Trail: Solstice Canyon / Rising Sun Trail

Distance: About 3 miles round-trip

Special Feature: Tropical Terrace and gorgeous views of the Pacific Ocean

Getting There: From Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) in Central Malibu, take Solstice Canyon Rd. to the entrance, located at Corral Canyon Rd.

Solstice Canyon is an easy hike along a shaded trail that is partially paved before it gives way to a fire road. A babbling brook is the soundtrack as the trail leads you to Tropical Terrace and the foundations of a house designed by renowned architect Paul Williams, who also designed homes for Frank Sinatra and Lucille Ball, as well as the Theme Building at LAX. For space and science geeks, Solstice Canyon is a must-see; it was one of only three sites in the world where TRW tested satellite equipment for space missions. Depending on the time of year, a waterfall cascades into a pool in the rocks behind the former home. Do some exploring and you’ll find a statue of the Virgin Mary in a nearby grotto. You can take Solstice Canyon back, or work up a sweat on the switchbacks that take you to the Rising Sun Trail at the top of the hills. Panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean are your reward for the huffing and puffing. Unlike the cooler Solstice Canyon path, the aptly named Rising Sun Trail has zero shade, so plan accordingly.

 

Escondido Canyon

[Photo from hellola.cn]

Trail: Escondido Canyon and Falls

Distance: 4.2 miles round-trip

Special Feature: The waterfall at the end of the trail

Getting There: Head northwest on PCH from Santa Monica for about 17 miles. Not far from Solstice Canyon and just past Latigo Canyon Rd., you'll see the turnoff for East Winding Way, where you can park in the well-marked lot. Follow the paved road toward the mountains. It's a little less than a mile to the end of East Winding Way. You'll see the entrance of Escondido Canyon Park clearly marked at the end of the pavement.

From the trailhead, it's about a mile-long trek to the falls. The trail crosses Escondido Canyon Creek several times, so prepare to get your feet wet if you’re hiking in the rainy season. This is a gradual climb that drifts in and out of tree covering, alongside canyon walls. Soon, you’ll be standing at the base of the 50-foot-high Escondido Falls, admiring the multi-tiered cataract flowing over moss-covered rocks.

In the springtime, the waterfall is usually quite active, but the amount of water varies depending on the time of year. Scramble up the rocks to see the upper level and even more of the falls — the upper tier is about 100 feet high. Wading in the pool beneath the falls is a great way to cool off before heading back along the same route.

 

Vasquez Rocks

[Photo from hellola.cn]

Trail: Foot/Horse Trail, History Trail

Distance: About 3 miles

Special Feature: Otherworldly rock formations, Pacific Crest Trail

Getting There: From Santa Clarita in northern L.A. County, take the Golden State Freeway (I-5) north to the Antelope Valley Freeway (CA14) north toward Palmdale/Lancaster. Exit on Agua Dulce Canyon Rd., turn left and follow the signs to the park entrance.

Vasquez Rocks Natural Area Park is a 905-acre park located in Agua Dulce, about an hour north of Downtown L.A. The park's striking, multi-colored rock formations reach heights of 150 feet and are the result of tens of millions of years of seismic activity and erosion. Vasquez Rocks takes its name from the outlaw Tiburcio Vásquez, who used the area as one of his many hideouts. A portion of the famed Pacific Crest Trail, which stretches 2,663 miles from Canada to the Mexico border, passes through Vasquez Rocks. The gentle incline and numerous trails provide plenty of options for exploring the park. The excursion is especially memorable when combined with views from atop the famous rocks. Note that there is very little shade throughout the park, so plan accordingly.

Star Trek fans will instantly recognize Vasquez Rocks from Captain Kirk's battle with the Gorn in the Season 1 episode "Arena", several other episodes, as well as the film series. Dozens of classic TV shows have filmed at Vasquez Rocks, including Bonanza, The Rifleman, Kung Fu, Mission: Impossible and The Twilight Zone. Vasquez Rocks was also featured in movies such as Dracula (1931), Blazing Saddles (1974) and Little Miss Sunshine (2006). Because of its significance as a prehistoric site for the Shoshone and Tataviam peoples, Vasquez Rocks was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.

You can walk in Oscar's footsteps and explore outdoor film locations from Malibu to the South Bay with our guide.