Hike the Santa Monica Mountains

The Trailmaster says, "Take a Hike!" From Topanga to Malibu to Point Mugu, Hiking Expert John McKinney shares his favorite trails to the range's parks, preserves and special places. Enjoy breathtaking mountaintop views from Inspiration Point, Parker Mesa Overlook and Sandstone Peak. Choose any easy nature walk, moderate family hike or an all day adventure along the majestic Backbone Trail.


JOHN MCKINNEY is the author of 25 books about hiking, parklands and nature, including The Hiker’s Way: Hike Smart, Live Well, Go Green and A Walk Along Land’s End, Dispatches from the Edge of California on a 1,600-mile hike from Mexico to Oregon.



McKinney has written more than a thousand ar­ticles about hiking plus numerous trail guidebooks including such popular favorites as Southern Cali­fornia, A Day Hiker’s Guide and Day Hiker’s Guide to California’s State Parks. His books for children include Let’s go Geocaching and Let’s go Hiking.



For 18 years, McKinney, a.k.a. The Trailmaster, wrote a weekly hiking column for the Los Angeles Times. A passionate advocate for hiking and our need to reconnect with nature, McKinney shares his expertise on radio and TV, and as a public speaker.