Best hikes for ocean cliff views?

Question

I am coming to LA in September and have car rental. I will have Tues-F free then I need to fly out on Saturday morning (LAX again so I do have to come back). Since that's only a couple if free days I'm not sure how much I could really fit in but I know CA coast is supposed to have some good cliff views around Big Sur area. Are there any reasonably short (OK if steepe) hikes with good cliff views I should look into? Since it's a short trip I wouldn't want to get into a 7 mile hike that takes all day but I am in reasonably fit shape so elevation change alone shouldn't be a huge issue.

Answer

If you’re visiting California with limited time and want ocean cliff views, there are several excellent options along the coast. Since your free days are Tuesday to Friday and you’ll return to LAX, it makes sense to focus on areas reachable within a few hours’ drive from Los Angeles or plan a day trip along the central coast if you are willing to drive further north.

Closer to Los Angeles (1–2 hours from LAX)

Point Dume Nature Preserve (Malibu): Short but steep trails lead to dramatic ocean cliffs and viewpoints overlooking Malibu Bay. Total hike can be under 2 miles round trip.
Abalone Cove Shoreline Park (Palos Verdes): Offers cliffs and panoramic ocean views with trails of 2–3 miles. Some stairs down to coves for tidepool exploration.
Temescal Canyon Loop (Pacific Palisades/Malibu): About 3 miles round trip with moderate elevation gain, giving excellent ocean and canyon views. Parking is limited so arrive early.
El Matador State Beach (Malibu): Not a long hike, but there are cliffside paths to overlook sea stacks and dramatic coastal rock formations. Very picturesque, especially near sunset.

Central Coast Options (3–5 hours from LAX, requires early start or overnight near Big Sur/Monterey)

Bixby Creek Bridge & Short Trails (Big Sur): You can park near the bridge and do a short walk to viewpoints. Even 0.5–1 mile walks offer iconic cliff and ocean photography spots.
Garrapata State Park Trails: There are several shorter trails, 1–3 miles, that offer rugged cliff views and wildflowers in September. Steeper sections are optional depending on your energy.
McWay Falls Trail (Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park): A very short trail (~0.5 mile) leads to an overlook of the waterfall dropping onto the beach, with stunning coastal cliffs.

Tips for Planning:

If sticking near LA, you can see Malibu and Palos Verdes cliffs in a day without too much driving.
If you want Big Sur views, you will need to allocate a full day for driving, or better yet, overnight near Monterey/Big Sur to maximize hiking time.
Bring water, snacks, and sunscreen—cliffside trails can be exposed with little shade.
Check parking and trail access ahead of time, especially for small preserves near Malibu, as spaces fill up quickly.

In summary, for short and steep hikes with dramatic ocean cliff views, Point Dume, Abalone Cove, and Temescal Canyon are your best LA-area options. If you can make a day trip to Big Sur, McWay Falls and Garrapata offer world-class scenery without committing to long hikes.

Best hikes for ocean cliff views?

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