Marvin Braude Mulholland Gateway Park in Tarzana, California

Located in the Santa Monica Mountains, Marvin Braude Mulholland Gateway Park is a gem of a hike in the valley side. This park, named for the former Los Angeles City Councilman who spent decades fighting to preserve recreational space in the Santa Monica Mountains, boasts gorgeous city and mountain views, expansive lawns, picnic areas, ample parking, restrooms and potable water.

The Mulholland Drive ridge crest trail, with its unpaved constituent and views of the San Fernando Valley, is a popular route for hiking and mountain biking. The vistas are well worth the effort, especially when you get to the top of the ridge for the best views of the entire area.

Caballero Canyon, a notch in the ridge, offers several trails for hiking and mountain biking. The emerald green hills are also great for enjoying a picnic with loved ones.

One of the more challenging and beautiful trails is the 3.3 mile (6.5 km) loop that leads from the park to the crest of the Mulholland Drive ridge, then back down Caballero Canyon. This hike, rated “medium,” has plenty of elevation gain and loss, but pays off with a fantastic view of the valley and the surrounding mountains.

It also has a few of the highest waterfalls in the region.

The ridgetop trail head, 3.2 miles (5.1 km) south of the Ventura Freeway on Reseda Boulevard, is an ideal starting point for hikers seeking an introduction to the valley side of the mountains. Its two grassy hillside picnic sites, a native plant-landscaped vista point and a dozen handsome rock benches are sure to draw a crowd of hikers.

The ridgetop is also the unofficial trail head for Lemming Trail, a 10-mile (16 km) one-way tramp that enables a grand tour of the Santa Monica Mountains from Tarzana to Topanga to Temescal to the Pacific Ocean. The trail, which is a little difficult to navigate with a gps unit, has many vantage points where you can see the entire vista.

Top Of Reseda Trailhead in Tarzana, California