Nestled along the stunning Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu is more than just celebrity homes and surf spots. It’s a hiker’s paradise, offering breathtaking trails that wind through the Santa Monica Mountains, climb rocky ridgelines, and reward adventurers with panoramic views of the Hiking Places in Malibu.
Breathtaking Malibu Hikes with Pacific Ocean Views
Whether you’re craving a short coastal stroll, a waterfall adventure, or a rugged mountain challenge, Malibu hiking places are packed with scenic beauty, biodiversity, and peaceful escapes. From sunrise serenity to golden hour glow, these ocean-view hikes in Malibu are the perfect blend of fitness and tranquility. 🌿✨
In this 2025 guide, we’ve rounded up 42+ of the best hiking places in Malibu with ocean views — all sorted by difficulty and experience. So grab your hiking boots, don’t forget your camera, and let’s hit the trails!
Iconic Hiking Places in Malibu with Ocean Views
1. Solstice Canyon Trail
A mix of history and nature, this 3-mile loop offers ocean vistas, waterfall ruins, and shade-covered trails.
2. Escondido Falls Trail
An easy-to-moderate hike ending in one of Malibu’s tallest waterfalls, with peekaboo ocean views along the way. 💧
3. Malibu Bluffs Park
Perfect for short, scenic walks overlooking the sparkling Pacific. Great for families and sunsets! 🌅
4. Zuma Ridge Trail
Wide fire roads lead uphill to epic panoramic ocean views. A favorite for mountain bikers too. 🚵♀️
5. Corral Canyon Loop Trail
Short yet dramatic, this trail offers sweeping sea views and wildflowers in spring. 🌸
Moderate Ocean-View Trails 🌊
6. Backbone Trail – Mishe Mokwa to Sandstone Peak
The highest peak in the Santa Monica Mountains! Ocean views from 3,111 feet up. 🏔️
7. Point Dume Cove Trail
A must-do! Hike the blufftops and hidden beach paths for cinematic ocean backdrops.
8. Charmlee Wilderness Park Trails
Quiet, less-crowded park with grassy meadows and blue water views.
9. Tuna Canyon Trail
Wooded switchbacks open up to reveal majestic coastal cliffs and Catalina Island on clear days.
10. Temescal Ridge Trail
A bit inland, but leads to gorgeous views of the Malibu coast and Palisades.
Dog-Friendly Hiking Places in Malibu 🐶
11. Trancas Canyon Park Trail
Short, shady, and perfect for your pup. Ends with partial ocean views and open air.
12. Zuma Canyon Trail
Wide trails, off-leash areas, and views of both canyon and coast.
13. Winding Way Trail
Connects to Escondido Falls and is leash-friendly, with water features and occasional sea glimpses.
14. Latigo Canyon Trail
A bit rugged but perfect for adventurous dogs and owners. Stunning sky-meets-sea scenery.
15. Ray Miller Trail
Part of the Backbone Trail system — easy for dogs and known for its coastal switchbacks.
Hidden Gem Hikes with Ocean Backdrops
16. Nicholas Flat Trail (via Leo Carrillo)
Lush terrain and a surprise lake with sweeping ocean views from the ridgeline.
17. Canyon View Trail (Charmlee Park)
Short and sweet with 360-degree views on a clear day.
18. Murphy Way Trail
Rarely crowded, steep but rewarding, and a great whale-watching spot in winter! 🐋
19. Civic Center Loop Trail
Unmarked but lovely — meadows, city views, and Pacific glimmer.
20. Encinal Canyon Trail
Challenging terrain with epic ridge views of the coastline.
Most Instagrammable Hiking Places in Malibu 📷✨
21. Point Mugu Peak Trail
Bright blue ocean meets dry brush ridges — stunning photo opportunities!
22. Puerco Canyon Trail
Historic ranch scenery meets dizzying coastal drop-offs.
23. Ocean View Trail (Corral Canyon)
Its name says it all! Ideal for sunset selfies and drone shots.
24. Dan Blocker Beach Trail
Short and often overlooked, great for beach-sky panorama shots.
25. Paradise Cove Bluff Trail
Clifftop views and access to secluded sandy shores. 🌴
Family-Friendly Ocean View Hikes
26. Malibu Lagoon State Beach Trail
Boardwalk and beach access with gentle hiking — great for kids.
27. Legacy Park Trails
Environmental preserve with short trails and educational signs.
28. El Matador Beach Trail
Steep but short trail to the beach — views + caves = kid heaven.
29. Zuma Beach Trail
Flat and sandy with constant views of waves and sun.
30. Sycamore Canyon Nature Trail
Wildlife sightings, ocean breezes, and shady picnic areas.
Ocean View Hikes with Seasonal Wildflowers 🌼
31. La Jolla Valley Loop Trail
Wildflowers, sea breezes, and open grasslands. A springtime favorite!
32. Nicholas Flat Trail (spring version!)
Wildflower-lined ridge with coastal views that bloom in color.
33. Zuma Ridge to Buzzard’s Roost
Wildflowers paint the hills each spring with vibrant purple and gold.
34. Trippet Ranch Trails
Start inland and ascend to coastal bluffs with spring blossoms.
35. Satwiwa Loop Trail
While technically near Malibu’s border, it offers seasonal beauty and big sky views.
Coastal Bluffs & Beach-View Trails
36. Lechuza Beach Trail
Tucked-away public access with a short, scenic walk to the bluffs.
37. Broad Beach Trail
Private-looking but public-access — peaceful ocean trail in west Malibu.
38. Big Sycamore Canyon to Overlook
Trail leads to an amazing overlook point with waves crashing below.
39. El Pescador State Beach Trail
Small but beautiful — coastal cliffs meet tide pools. 🌊
40. Malibu Creek to Piuma Ridge
Longer hike that rewards with coastal ridge panoramas.
New & Noteworthy Ocean View Trails for 2025
41. Sea Vista Ridge Trail (NEW)
A newly-maintained connector trail near Pacific Coast Highway with uninterrupted views.
42. Bluffs Over Malibu Trail
Reopened in late 2024 after wildfire recovery — expect serenity and sea breezes.
Malibu’s Trails Are Pure Coastal Magic
Whether you’re trekking to a mountaintop, walking along a beach bluff, or chasing waterfalls through canyons, the hiking places in Malibu with ocean views are among the most unforgettable in California.
With over 42 epic trails to choose from, your 2025 outdoor calendar is going to be full of fresh air, coastal sunrises, and peaceful moments overlooking the Pacific. So get out there — and let the sea be your soundtrack.
I’m Lily Wilson, a traveler, storyteller, and soul-searcher from the sun-kissed shores of Hawaii. At LilyOnTheGo.com, every journey begins with curiosity, courage, and a trusty carry-on. Travel, for me, has never been about ticking places off a bucket list. It’s about chasing sunrises in unfamiliar cities, sharing laughs with strangers who become friends.