Briar Blockbuster

Hike to Panoramic Views of Los Angeles at Briar Summit Preserve

Woman taking a photo with her phone at Briar Summit Preserve overlooking Los Angeles

It’s not always the blockbusters that dominate tinsel town—in 2021, look for the indies to surprise. Get a fresh perspective on Hollywood and enjoy some of the most awesome views in the city, while avoiding the crowds. Briar Summit Preserve offers a short and sweet 1-mile, 250-foot climb and distinct 360-degree views across LA.

Find street parking on Briar Summit Drive before the road terminates at the trailhead. Though the LADWP service path is paved, it is also wide—perfect for social distancing, although you most likely won’t see many others. Pass by the gate and begin your gradual ascent. The vistas are constant and epic, especially at golden hour and sunset. To the south is Laurel Canyon and the Hollywood Hills, and you can see even beyond to the Pacific on clear days. 

Woman hiking at Briar Summit Preserve in Los Angeles

There are spur trails that branch south for further views; it’s worthwhile to explore these and add a bit of mileage. The second of these juts out from the canyon wall enough to get an undeniably unique perspective of Griffith Park Observatory and the Hollywood Sign to your east, near the peaks of Mount Hollywood and Mount Lee. The path continues to climb and passes a water tower surrounded by a variety of healthy trees. Soon, an entirely new view will come into sight, and this one is equally impressive. Look for the towering spires of Hogwarts in the Universal Studios theme park below, as the view is framed by the Verdugo Mountains and the San Gabriels beyond.

Woman taking in the view of Los Angeles at Briar Summit Preserve

The trail curves northwest and challenges you to a final steep climb before reaching the radio towers and summit. There’s a geocache hidden amongst the scrub, but the real secret here is the multitude of panoramas, concluding with the nearly 360-degree lookout. Take the descent slowly to get more view time, which is particularly gorgeous at sunset, on your way to your car.

To get to the Briar Summit Preserve trailhead, take the US-101 to Laurel Canyon Blvd. and exit south. Take Laurel Canyon Blvd. for 3 miles and take a left onto Mulholland Dr., followed by an immediate right onto Briar Summit Dr. After two blocks, turn left to stay on Briar Summit Dr. Find street parking near the gate and trailhead. Dog-friendly!

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Field of Light at Sensorio in Paso Robles

    Light This Way

    Hidden in the bucolic hills of Paso Robles lies one of the greatest light shows on earth. The lighted art exhibition, Sensorio, is as if the rainbow magic of the aurora borealis was plucked from the sky and planted in the fields.

    View
  2. Bucks Up!

    Come on in, the water is beautiful. Whether you like swimming, kayaking, stand-up paddling, or heading out on a bigger boat, Bucks Lake is a high mountain haven that’s easy to access, blissfully uncrowded, and surrounded by sandy beaches, picnic areas, pines, and aspens.

    View
  3. Surfboards and tents for shade are set up on the beach at Cull Canyon Regional Recreation Area in the Swim Lagoon Area

    Switchbacks and Swimming Holes

    Hike hard, play hard! This 7-mile out-and-back in Cull Canyon Regional Recreation Area is a great workout with payoff vistas and a relaxing post-hike picnic and dip in the water.

    View
  4. Roaring Good Time

    There’s nothing quite like the majestic beauty of California’s redwood forests. Now, imagine experiencing those towering giants aboard a historic 19th-century steam train. Roaring Camp Railroads in Felton is home to some of the oldest and most authentically preserved narrow-gauge steam engines in America.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Bear Hug

    This 5.5-mile loop through Coyote Lake-Harvey Bear Ranch County Park explores one of the newest segments of the acclaimed Bay Area Ridge Trail, one redolent with trees ranging from madrone and manzanita to buckeye and blue elderberry (with a bubbly post-hike bonus).

    View
  2. Bikers and walkers on the Bay Area Ridge Trail with the Golden Gate Bridge behind them

    National Park City Walk

    See San Francisco the way locals do by hiking the Presidio, a national park right in the city! Wooded trails, secluded beaches, and epic views of the Golden Gate Bridge feature on this 5.5-mile out-and-back on the Bay Area Ridge Trail. It’s a lovely slice of the City by the Bay.

    View
  3. Two kayakers on Upper Klamath Basin on tour with Sky Lakes Wilderness Adventures

    Zen & the Art of Kayaking

    It’s the most meditative and relaxing experience you’ll ever have on a kayak. Yes, you read that right, a Zen experience on a kayak. It all happens in beautiful Klamath County when you head out on a guided tour with Sky Lakes Wilderness Adventures.

    View
  4. Two people fly fishing on the Truckee River with guides from Reno Fly Shop

    Zen and the Art of Fly Fishing

    Learning to fly fish is one of the most fun and beautiful ways to connect with nature, family, friends, and yourself. It’s also a great way to truly experience the magic of a place. Make that place Reno Tahoe, where a fly fishing adventure with Reno Fly Shop is like being planted in a plein air painting of dreamy outdoors.

    View