Zuma Ridge Hike

Zuma is a Chumash word meaning "abundance,"  and this hike affords you abundant views of the valleys, ravines and mountain ridges of the beautiful Santa Monica Mountains and the Pacific Ocean from a peak at 2400 feet above sea level.  It is a 5.9 mile hike one way, and a car drop off at Busch Drive trailhead, then driving up Kanan Road to Encinal Canyon where the trailhead starts.  It took about 3 hours to hike including a stop for a picnic on a boulder with a vast view of the ocean.  

Zuma Ridge trail begins off of Encinal Road by a Fire Camp and is a reverse hike (meaning you are hiking the easier way by descending most of the time).  The hike begins with about a two-mile long 1100 foot ascent to the top of the ridge,where you pass the infamous Buzzards Roost estate, then descend about 4 miles and 2400 feet to the Busch Drive parking lot.  
This hike is much easier on a brisk winter day, as it is a sunny hike with very little shade for about 4 miles.  It can be uncomfortably hot in the summer.  

The trail begins at the Fire Camp dirt road.  You will see signs for Zuma Ridge trailhead when you head north from the parking lot.  It is a large fire road trail that you will be hiking, and an easy hike.  You will begin to ascend when you turn towards the ocean.  At the very top of the ridge, you will see a crop of pine trees, and the entrance to the Buzzards Roost estate.  It is the most remote and private residence in Malibu with 360 degree views for 100 miles on clear days.  Veer off to the right and remain on the trail, and you will see a stump and bench that overlooks one of the first and most dramatic views of the ocean.  There is a little trail to the right if you want to see it from a higher point of view.  

Most of the rest of the hike, you are descending to sea level.  
Stop along the way to see westward views of Boney Ridge, Sandstone Peak (the highest peak in the Santa Monica Mountains) and Trancas/Edison trail.  To the east, you can see radio towers that are off of Corral Canyon and the boulder outcropping by the radio tower by Saddle Peak off of Piuma Road (see my Corral Canyon and Saddle Peak hike blogs!).  When you get to a fork on the trail, veer right to stay on Zuma Ridge.  
It seems like you can see forever on a clear winter day.  It is an absolutely beautiful hike.  

For the car drop off at Busch Dr, take Pacific Coast Highway from Santa Monica, pass Pepperdine and about 7 more miles you will pass Kanan Dume Road.  A mile more and you will see Busch Drive next to a little commercial zone.  Turn right, and continue on Busch Drive to the end, where there will be a dirt parking lot.  Drop off a car here.  Then retrace back to Kanan Dume Road.  Turn left on Kanan, and about 6 miles turn left onto Mulholland Drive, then bear left on Encinal Canyon.  After 2-3 miles you will see L.A. County Fire Camp on the left.  Turn up the dirt road and the trailhead will be on the right.