Santa Monica Ridge Trail

This area of trail is accessed from the top of Del Mar Mesa Preserve. The trail starts with a steep descent down a rocky utility road. At the bottom, there is a deep creek crossing. Once across the creek, ascend the other side and look for a singletrack trail on the left. Take this trail and watch your footing as it is full of cobbles and loose rock. The elevation changes are constant (like a roller coaster). The end of this trail opens to a wide path, then singletrack. Hike the singletrack towards the lake and partially around the lake. The trail around the lake is very narrow with low-hanging tree branches and thick brush. Follow the singletrack to the trail that ascends to the top of the ridge. At the top is a field, cross the field to the singletrack. This trail winds around and descends back to the bottom. At the bottom is a horse trail which you hike until the highway.