Backbone Trail via Will Rogers State Park

You'll make your way up Will Rogers State Park Road, located just minutes from Santa Monica, Brentwood, Westwood, Malibu, Palisades, and much of west Los Angeles. Once on the road, head all the way to the top and you'll dead end into the parking lot. Always worth supporting State Parks with the parking fees, but there is also a strip of street parking that has no regulations, just outside the park. 

Once ready to hike or run, you'll head to the back of the parking lot. With the polo fields and bathroom still to your right, you'll see a dirt path with a sign where the trail starts. There are multiple ways around Inspiration Point Loop but I usually keep left on the fire roads. Upon a noticeable intersection, you'll head down to the Backbone Trailhead instead of heading to Inspiration Point. You'll see signage for Backbone Trail right before the trail jets up and into the hills. 

You can take the trail as far as you please, as it extends 62 miles. Once you surpass the first 1.5 mile climb to the bridge lookout, the trail will even out over rolling hills, turning it's way through the Santa Monica mountains. A lot of the trail is exposed, but winds through some forested areas as well, offering various viewpoints throughout. 

It can get very hot during summer months, so beware of the sun and heat in the middle of the day.