Mesa Peak Cameron Nature Preserve

Much of the Mesa Cameron Nature Preserve Trail goes through coastal sage scrub—a habitat that has grown increasingly rare due to development, especially on mountain tops. Coastal sage scrub plants, like white sage, are slow-growing and suffer tremendous losses from illegal harvesting. Some hikers might encounter a Blainville's Horned Lizard, a California Species of Special Concern because of urban encroachment to their habitats in flat sandy spaces, and on mountain tops. At 2.5 - 4.5 inches, horned lizards resemble tiny dinosaurs, and can date back to the Miocene era.

Mesa Peak Cameron Nature Preserve view of bench
Mesa Peak Cameron Nature Preserve image of lupine flower
Mesa Peak Cameron Nature Preserve image of trail
Mesa Peak Cameron Nature Preserve image of green hills overlooking ocean
Mesa Peak Cameron Nature Preserve view of bench

  • Two options:

    Malibu Creek Backbone Trail
    700 Malibu Canyon Road

    • Start on the 101 Freeway towards Calabasas

    • Exit 31 for Las Virgenes Canyon

    • Turn right towards the Ocean, drive 4.7 miles

      • Note: Las Virgenes Canyon turns into Malibu Canyon when you cross Mulholland; keep driving to destination

    3817 Puerco Canyon Road
    Malibu, California

    • Start on Pacific Coast Highway towards Malibu

    • Turn right on Puerco Canyon

      • Puerco Canyon is 1.2 miles north of Malibu Canyon

    • At 700 Malibu Canyon; parking costs $8.00. Bathroom available

    • At the Puerco Canyon site, parking is free to the right of the white line before you get to the gate at the fire trail. Bathroom not available

    • Well-groomed fire trails make for easy access to the benches

    • Either way, you’re looking at 6 miles in full sun over step terrain

    • Skill level 3-4; primarily because it is a long trail under a strong sun with ascents and descents

    • Bring water, a hat, sunscreen, extra jacket, closed toe shoes and printed map

    • No shade

    • Poor to non-existent cell-phone coverage on the trail and no WiFi coverage

Mesa Peak Cameron Nature Preserve image of Backbone trailhead

Mesa Peak Cameron Nature Preserve Trailhead - Backbone

Mesa Peak Cameron Nature Preserve Trailhead - Puerco Canyon