Rivas Canyon lies between Will Rogers State Park and Temescal Gateway Park. Rivas Canyon Trail crosses the ridge east of Temescal Canyon and travels down rustic Rivas Canyon to connect the two parks on a single-track that is 2.1 miles from end to end with 500 feet of elevation between the high and low points of the trail.
Half a mile above the canyon floor, the trail gains the ridge, rewarding hikers with excellent views over the Pacific Ocean, Santa Monica Bay, and Palos Verdes Peninsula. This is a perfect place to watch the sunset if you happen to be hiking (back) this way at that time.
Progress east across the ridge, reaching a highpoint of 720 feet before descending 300 feet into Rivas Canyon over half a mile of switchbacks. The ivy-covered slopes lead to a junction at the canyon bottom. Turn right following a sign that reads, “WILL ROGERS 1.1 MI.”
The easy-to-follow single track progresses southward down the lush, secluded bottom of Rivas Canyon through a thriving oak woodland. Cross a patch of tall sycamores before coming to the edge of a Pacific Palisades neighborhood lower in the canyon. The trail passes alongside a brick wall that leads to the paved cul-de-sac at the top of Rivas Canyon Road. Across the road, Rivas Canyon Trail continues another 0.2 miles up to Will Rogers State Park. If you are headed back to Temescal Canyon, feel free to turn around here; make your way back up Rivas Canyon and over the ridge, creating a 3.8-mile round trip hike with 500 feet of elevation between the top of the ridge and the bottom of the canyon.
Sunset Boulevard & Temescal Canyon Road
Pacific Palisades, CA 90272
Directions: About 30 minutes from our area. Take the I-10 West until it turns into the CA-I North/ Pacific Coast Highway. Go about 3 miles and turn right on Temescal Canyon Road. Temescal Gateway Park is located at the north end of Temescal Canyon Road at the intersection with Sunset Boulevard, one mile from PCH. Free parking can be found along Temescal Canyon Road and Sunset Blvd. Parking inside the park is $7.
