Hiking Coastal Tuna Canyon
View of Tuna Canyon after the rain
The first thing you need to know about Tuna Canyon is that there are two Tuna Canyons with hiking trails that might show up while doing a search. One is La Tuna Canyon Park, which is located in Sun Valley, and the other is Tuna Canyon Park in the Santa Monica Mountains. (Confusing, I know.) This post is about the one in the Santa Monica Mountains. The park is located somewhere between Malibu and Topanga. The best way to find the entrance is to search for ‘Tuna Canyon Trail Head’ or 2802 (2807 on some maps) Tuna Canyon Rd, Topanga, CA 90290.
The second thing you need to know is that there is no true parking lot in the traditional sense. It really is more like a section to pull over in the dirt near the park’s entrance.
And the third thing you need to know is that the road to get there is a winding, narrow, and at times one-lane only, experience. If you don’t like that type of drive, you may want to pass on this one. But for those who don’t mind, you will be rewarded with some amazing views.
Oh, and the fourth thing, no public restrooms! Plan accordingly. On the upside, it’s free.
Spring hike in warmer weather
Enjoying some shade on the trails.
The MRCA has a pretty good map of the area, though you can wander around and get a feel for where the trails connect or are hike in and out, as opposed to a loop.
This is likely one of the easier trails to hike, which makes it great for dogs (and people) of all ages. There are a lot of relatively flat areas with some inclines, though you can decide how much you’re willing to do. There is some shade here and there, as well as a bench near the top of one of the hills to take a break and soak up the views. I did see a recent comment from someone that they spotted a mountain lion in the area about a month ago, so again, yet another reason to keep your dog on a leash.
Bench on the hill
The perfect spot to take a scenic break.
My personal favorite time to hike is around March because it is so incredibly green everywhere you look. The contrast of the deep blue ocean and the emerald green hills is something you really should see with your own eyes. I take decent pics, but nothing beats the real thing. It is often windy during that time, too, so just be aware. It can also be muddy if it’s rained recently.
Me on a windy day
Even chillier days offer beautiful views.
In addition to the ocean views, you will discover interesting rock circles along the trail. And if you’re there after we’ve had heavy rains, you’ll probably see snow-covered mountains in the distance. I always love it when you can see snow on a day when you’re wearing a tank top.
When you’re ready to leave the park, you have two options for heading home. You can drive back the way you came and head through Topanga again. Or you can continue down the road, which does become a one-way road (not one-lane) that spits you out on the PCH. It’s a curvy road, too, but it at least offers new scenery to enjoy, and you can spend time exploring Malibu or Santa Monica should you choose to do so.
Park details are below. Happy hiking!
Ready, Set, Know
Address: 2802 (2807 on some maps) Tuna Canyon Rd, Topanga, CA 90290
Admission: Free
Dogs Allowed: Yes, on a leash
Restrooms: No
Water: No, there are no refill stations
