Eagle Rock in Topanga State Park

Eagle Rock is located in Topanga State Park in the Santa Monica Mountains, and it is a unique formation that provides an amazing panoramic view of Santa Monica. On a clear day, the Catalina Islands and Palos Verdes Peninsula are visible. You can park on along the street of Entrada Rd. or pay $10 to pay for parking inside Trippet Ranch (worth it in my opinion to support the park and the amenities it provides).

The hike itself is approximately 6 miles and can be extended if desired. The trail I would suggest starts at Trippet Ranch and begins on

• 1) Trippet Ln. towards East Topanga Fire Rd
• 2) Turn left on East Topanga Fire Rd. and head northeast towards Eagle Rock
• 3) Keep left to stay on East Topanga Fire Rd. at the Santa Ynez Canyon Trail junction
• 4) At the next major junction, take a right onto Eagle Springs Fire Road to begin the loop towards Hub Junction.

(I would recommend a slight detour (0.3 miles) at Hub Junction to climb up Cathedral Rocks for another panoramic view.)

• 5) Return back to Hub Junction and take Backbone Trail all the way to Eagle Rock.
• 6) After you're done exploring Eagle Rock, continue on Backbone Trail back to East Topanga Fire Rd.

I've been here twice and both times have had the pleasure of running into some widelife as seen in the photos. It's definitely one my favorite hikes in Southern California on a cloudy or comfortable day. I would not recommend it on a hot day because there is very little coverage from the heat. My last trip here I also tried geocaching to find some hidden "treasures" along the trail with my dad, which made the hike even more enjoyable. I'd recommend giving that a try as well if you haven't already!

Reward Yourself: Top of Topanga Overlook

After scrambling up Eagle Rock, treat yourself to sunset views without any effort at Top of Topanga Overlook—just a short drive away on Topanga Canyon Boulevard. This roadside viewpoint requires zero hiking but offers spectacular panoramic views of the San Fernando Valley and surrounding Santa Monica Mountains. It's the perfect way to cap off your Eagle Rock adventure: you've already done the hard work, now just park and relax on the benches while watching the sun set behind the mountains. If your legs still have energy, there's an optional short trail for even better vantage points. The combination of an active morning hike followed by a peaceful evening overlook creates the ideal Topanga Canyon day.