Deep in the eastern Santa Monica Mountains, Westridge-Canyonback Park spreads across more than 1,500 acres of open space bordered by upper Mandeville Canyon, Sullivan Canyon, Mission Canyon, and San Vicente Mountain Park. What makes this spot worth the drive is how accessible it feels despite being surrounded by the city—you get genuine mountain terrain without the crowds of more famous LA hikes.

The main artery through the park is the Westridge fire road, a well-maintained trail that runs along the north-south ridgeline and connects hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians through some genuinely nice chaparral and oak woodland. The views open up as you gain elevation, with the San Fernando Valley spreading out on one side and the broader LA basin visible from higher points. The fire road is wide enough that you won’t feel squeezed even when encountering other users, and your dog will have decent footing on the packed dirt surface.

What really sets this place apart is that Westridge-Canyonback connects seamlessly to the 20,000-acre “Big Wild”—essentially giving you access to a massive network of trails if you want to keep exploring. This means you could start with a moderate 2-mile loop or push further depending on your dog’s stamina and the heat of the day.

Getting there is straightforward from either side of the mountains. If you’re coming from the San Fernando Valley, head to San Vicente Mountain Park first, which serves as the entry point. From the 405 freeway side, take Mulholland Drive west for 2.7 miles and park near the San Vicente trailhead. A ten-minute walk on the fire road gets you to the park entrance proper. Go early if you’re visiting on a weekend—the parking areas fill up by mid-morning, and your dog will appreciate the cooler temperatures of an early start anyway.