Located on the north side of Mulholland Drive in Studio City, the Universal City Lookout offers scenic views of Universal City, the San Fernando Valley, and Verdugo Hills. Funded by Universal Studios, the overlook was built in 1984 for the upcoming Summer Olympics which was hosted in Los Angeles. There is ample parking across the street along Mulholland Dr.
Located in Beverly Hills and part of the Santa Monica Mountains, Franklin Canyon Park provides a fantastic opportunity for hiking, picnicking, and breathtaking views of the city. This 600+ acre gem offers over 5 miles hiking along 3 major trails with various difficulty levels:
Discovery Trail
Easy (20 minutes / 0.3 miles): The easiest of the three, the Discovery Trail is a short loop that will take you about 20 minutes or less to complete. You can access the Discovery Trail from the southern entrance to the park.
Berman Trail
Easy/Intermediate (40 minutes / 1 mile): The Berman trail is about a mile in length and is moderately difficult. This trail connects to the northern entrance at Mulholland and provides for a scenic hike across the Santa Monica Mountains.
Hastain Trai
Intermediate (90 minutes / 2.3 mile): Although it’s the most popular trail at Franklin Canyon Park, the Hastain Trail is also the most strenuous. Gradually increasing as you make your way up trail, you’ll eventually reach a scenic overlook of the city; from here you can enjoy panoramic views of West Los Angeles and the Pacific Ocean.
Getting Here
There are two access points that feed into Franklin Canyon Park – one from the south and one from the south
From The South (Los Angeles-Beverly Hills): Travel north along Beverly Dr (towards Coldwater Canyon). Make sure you pay attention to the signs because you’ll have to turn left in order to continue along N Beverly Dr (otherwise, you’ll head up Coldwater Canyon). As soon as you reach Fire Station No. 2, keep your eyes open for Franklin Canyon Dr – it’ll be the third street on your right. Make a right turn onto Franklin Canyon Dr and then take the road until you reach the park entrance at Lake Dr.
From The North (San Fernando): To northern entrance can be accessed via Franklin Canyon Dr from the Mulholland Dr & Coldwater Canyon Intersection – you’ll see a sign that reads, “Road Closed 800 Feet. Sunset to Sunrise”. From here, simply follow the paved road until you reach the Sooky Goldman Nature Center. Alternatively, you can continue about 1.5 miles along Franklin Canyon Dr until you reach the southern entrance at Lake Dr.
Parking
Parking is available at Franklin Canyon Ranch (southern entrance), along Lake Dr, or at the Sooky Goldman Nature Center (northern entrance).
Additional Images (click to enlarge)
Located in Malibu, El Matador State Beach is a small and secluded strand of beach which offers visitors a fantastic escape from the bustling of city life. This local gem is one of three “pocket beaches” that make up the larger Robert H. Meyer Memorial SB – situated along Pacific Coast Highway between Point Dume and Leo Carrillo. It’s not the easiest beach to find, but you’ll appreciate making the extra effort once you finally get there. Lined with gentle white sand and picturesque views, the El Matador shoreline is home to an exquisite series of rock formations and shallow caves for you to explore.
Unless you arrive on a busy summer weekend, chances are you’ll have a good piece of the beach all to yourself. Take this opportunity to bring along someone special for a romantic picnic or to enjoy a spectacular sunset – or both. Alternatively, the solitude of El Matador offers the perfect getaway after a long and stressful week.
The beach also offers fantastic views of the Pacific coastline and it’s great for swimming and/or sunbathing. If it's not a busy summer day, there will be no lifeguard on duty so try to be careful out there.
Getting Here
Getting to El Matador State Beach can be a tad difficult and it does require a little hiking along a steep dirt trail. Therefore, it’s probably not the best places for children and it’s pretty much inaccessible for the handicapped.
If you can’t find any spots along PCH, there is a paid parking lot at the top of the bluff with a path leading to the beach. Parking is $4 and you can obtain your pass from the meter box.
*Photograph courtesy of California Coastal Records Project
Following along the ridge of the Santa Monica Mountains, Mulholland Drive offers breathtaking views of Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley. As you make your way along the windy road, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to park your car and take it all in. Depending on where you access Mulholland Dr, there are 2 fantastic spots that I would recommend.
From Laurel Canyon
If you’re headed up Laurel Canyon from West Hollywood, make a left at Mulholland Dr and head west for about 1 mile (make a right on Mulholland if you’re coming up from the Valley). You’ll pass a street called Skyline Dr and the lookout spot will be on your right hand side. Don’t get it confused with the overlook at the bend which resembles a sand dune. Once you arrive at the lookout spot, pull off the road and park your car on the dirt area designated for the overlook. Although the views are excellent in the day, my favorite time to go there is in the evening. Unfortunately, there’s a sign that says “Overlook Closed - 9pm to 6am”. If you don’t mind bending the rules once in a while, you can come by after 9pm at your own risk; there are people living nearby so I suggest keeping the noise at a respectable level.
From Beverly Glen
If you arrive via Beverly Glen (or Benedict Canyon) from West Los Angeles or Beverly Hills, make sure to stop by the Charles and Lotte Melhorn Overlook on the 13800 block of Mulholland Dr. If you’re headed eastbound, you’ll pass Deep Canyon Dr and the overlook will be on your left. Unlike the lookout on Skyline, there is no designated area to park your car (unless you’re handicapped)…so you’ll have to park and then walk over. There are a few benches at the overlook so you can just sit down and enjoy the spectacular view. This overlook is probably best enjoyed in the day because it can get a little cold in the evening…and you won’t have the comfort of turning on the heater in the car.
Mulholland Scenic Overlook
On Mulholland Dr (nearest cross street: Skyline Dr)
Los Angeles, CA 90046
Charles and Lotte Melhorn Overlook
On Mulholland Dr (nearest cross street: Deep Canyon Dr)
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
If you’re looking to enjoy a sunset/sunrise or just a view of the Pacific Coast during the day, there’s an ocean lookout in the Pacific Palisades where you can sit back and take it all in. The bluff has about a half dozen benches to choose from, or alternatively, you can park your car in the cul-de-sac and enjoy the view from there. Since it’s a residential neighborhood, you should do your best to keep the noise down.
Getting There
If you're traveling westbound along Sunset Blvd, you’ll want to make a left turn on El Medio Ave. Once you’re on El Medio Ave, simply drive all the way down till the road ends and park your car. If you take the Freeway, simply take PCH to Sunset Blvd and make a right. Once you reach El Medio Ave, you’ll want to make another right.
Just in case, here are the directions.
If you’re looking to enjoy a spectacular view of the Pacific Coastline and don’t mind a little hiking, head out to Point Dume State Beach in Malibu.
The hike to the coastal bluff atop Point Dume is really scenic and you can probably catch a good glimpse of the local wildlife. If you go up there between December and March, you may actually be able to spot some Pacific Gray Whales as they make their way to Baja California. On a warm day, you'll also have an opportunity to take a little dip in the tide pool which can be accessed from the eastside of the bluff.
You can make your way to the top of Point Dume by way of an ascending trail which begins at the end of Westward Beach Rd.
*Photograph courtesy of California Coastal Records Project
