Parker Mesa Overlook

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For anyone who enjoys beautiful trips through the dry, chaparral hills of California, this out-and-back to the Parker Mesa Overlook is not to be missed. The route is a moderate length for a solid day trip and provides nice views along the way.

The final reward of the Parker Mesa Overlook makes the uphill effort all worthwhile. There are benches and some space to spread out a beautiful picnic lunch or opt for a sunrise/sunset trip for stunning photographs.

A sustained uphill climb with a relatively flat upper section to the overlook on a wide, dirt trail will leave you breathless, but feeling accomplished.

To access this featured run, head up Los Liones Drive to the Los Liones Trailhead on the north side of Castellammare. There is a pull-off parking area at the trailhead.

The trail starts off gradually with a couple of short and steep climbs while it snakes through the dense bushes of the chaparral ecosystem. After a little more than a mile, the trail ends at the East Topanga Fire Road.

Turn left onto the East Topanga Fire Road and continue the uphill climb along the ridgeline to the north. The higher the trail gets, the better the views become, but the best one is yet to come.

From there, turn onto the East Topanga Fire Road from the Los Liones Trail and head north for a mile until the trail begins to level off with some downhill sections. A little less than a mile further, look to the left for the Parker Mesa Overlook Spur.

Head south on the Parker Mesa Overlook Spur for a half mile until you reach the climactic view from the Parker Mesa Overlook. Once you've refueled and taken in the view of this striking vista, head back the way you came.

Intact chaparral ecosystem with woody shrubs.