Santa Ynez Falls - Topanga State park 2.5 miles out-and-back rocky

Santa Ynez Waterfalls - Topanga State Park

At 0.5 miles from the trailhead keep right at this waterfall sign. Follow the directions and keep left at the next waterfall sign.

Santa Ynez Canyon trail, Topanga state park, Trippet ranch, malibu hike, california hike

Location : Topanga state park

Total distance : 2.5 miles round-trip (out-and-back)

Elevation gain : 180 ft

Peak elevation : 780 ft

Tree Cover : Tree cover present

Parking : Street parking at the trailhead.

Trailhead : Click here

Note : No pets, bikes, fires on this trail

Trail hours : 8 AM to 8 PM

Map :

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Note : Pets are not allowed on this trail.

Detailed directions : The hike starts at this sign, click here for the location. Whenever the trail gets too steep and difficult you may take the alternate path and walk on the stream bed if there isn't a lot of water like in summer months. Wherever there are sign directions to waterfall hike follow them, and if you do not see one make sure you stay close to the stream as it runs parallel to the trail and they interweave at times crossing each other.

Start at the trailhead, go towards the Santa Ynez Waterfall trail junction, which is half a mile away. Before you reach the trail junction you will have to cross a paved (concrete) path - it looks like a trail so it is very easy to get confused. Cross the concrete path and take the dirt trail. Before you reach the trail junction you will see another fork like the one in the picture, keep left - watch the video to get a better idea of what this looks like.

This is already one of my favorite trails, the best time to go is right after the trail opens at 8 am. You will hear birds chirping - like in the video above. You can really relax to the smell of eucalyptus trees and the chirping sounds of birds, even on a hot day the trees provide plenty of shade and keep you cool. The terrain is a bit rocky so it is a good idea to wear boots.

It is doable even with kids so next time you look for a place for a family outing consider this, but remember pets are not allowed on this trail.