Santa Monica Mountains Guided Hike from Zuma Canyon

Hike past waterfalls and down to the ocean in a single afternoon

A five-hour guided hike in the Santa Monica Mountains departing from Zuma Canyon combines fire roads and rocky single track through one of the area's wildest sections, with lunch on the trail, multiple waterfall views, and a finish at Point Dume beach. Your guide adjusts the route to match your fitness level and can add peak summits for groups wanting more challenge. Pickup is included.

The experience

The hike starts at the Zuma Canyon parking lot and loops through terrain that shifts between smooth fire roads and rocky single track, giving you a mix of surfaces and effort levels in one trip. You'll see the coast throughout the day and pass multiple waterfalls: the kind of water features most hikers have to plan separate trips to find. Lunch arrives on the trail, so you eat where the views are best instead of backtracking to a trailhead.

The guides here are among the few outfitters in the greater Los Angeles area permitted to lead trips in the Santa Monica National Wilderness Area, which is why the routes stay on trails most hikers never find. Every trip is planned around your group's goals and fitness level, so a first-time hiker and an avid one can book the same departure and both get what they came for. If your group wants to push further, you can add small peak summits that branch off the main loop.

The day ends at Point Dume, one of Malibu's most recognizable headlands, where you swim in the ocean before heading back. The whole thing takes five hours from start to finish.

What’s included

• Lunch on the trail.
• hotel or meeting point pickup.
• guide in English.
• access to the Santa Monica National Wilderness Area trails.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:00

Book up to3h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated 13 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPets welcomeNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by LA Mountain & Trail Expeditions

Is this one for you?The guide leads in English and adjusts the route to your fitness level, so whether you're a first-time hiker or someone who hikes regularly, you'll spend the day at a pace that works for you rather than struggling to keep up or waiting for others to catch on.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

1 verified traveler review

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What kind of terrain will I be hiking on?

The loop combines smooth fire roads and rocky single track through the Santa Monica Mountains, so you get varied footing and scenery in one trip rather than a single surface the whole way.

Can I see waterfalls on this hike?

Yes, the route passes multiple waterfalls in a single trip, which is one of the reasons this particular loop is popular with guides who know the area well.

Is lunch included, and where do we eat?

Lunch is provided and served on the trail, so you eat at a spot with views instead of returning to the parking lot.

What happens if I'm not as fit as other people in my group?

Every trip is individually planned based on the goals and ability levels of guests, so your guide adjusts the route and pace to match your fitness level, even if others in the group want something different.

How does the hike end?

The day finishes at Point Dume, where you swim in the ocean before heading back to the parking lot.