Santa Monica Mountains

5 Great Maps of the 5 Best Riding Areas from Brentwood to Malibu.
Each BikeMapDude Map Pack comes in a clear plastic pouch holding five individual maps. Each single-fold color map is printed on water- and sweat-proof laminated paper on one side, with two featured rides per map with detailed descriptions and on-map route markers on the other.

Cheeseboro Canyon

For a change of pace from the chaparral-covered slopes of the Santa Monicas as well as some of the best riding in Southern California head over to Cheeseboro Canyon in Agoura Hills. The varied terrain is suitable for riders of all abilities..
Location: Agoura Hills
Best For: Intermediates.
Suitable For: All levels.
Ground Cover: Grasslands, chaparral, woodlands.
Seasons: Fall through spring. Hot in summer.

Malibu Creek State Park

Malibu Creek State Park lies in the heart of the Santa Monica Mountains and encompasses a full range of Southern California terrain. Beginners and intermediates will find great rides here while advanced riders can tackle the Backbone single-track just south of Malibu Creek.
Location: Malibu/Calabasas.
Best For: Advanced riders.
Suitable For: All levels.
Ground Cover: Brush-covered hillsides and riparian woodlands..
Seasons: Good year round.

Point Mugu State Park

A beautiful 45-minute drive up the coast from Santa Monica lies Sycamore Canyon, the main biking trail through Point Mugu State Park. As the crowds on the weekends demonstrate, the drive is well worth it. Sycamore Canyon gives beginners an ideal introduction to mountain biking with its gentle grade flowing through lush woodlands. More advanced riders will appreciate the fun, though never too difficult, loops that can be fashioned using the trails running off Sycamore Canyon...
Location: Thirty-one miles west of Santa Monica off of Pacific Coast Highway..
Best For: Beginners and Intermediates.
Suitable For: All levels except extreme.
Ground Cover: Brush-covered hillsides and lush riparian canyons..
Seasons: Good year round. Best from late fall through mid spring (great wildflowers). Can be muddy after heavy rain.

Topanga State Park and Vicinity

The Topanga State Park and the surrounding open space lies smack between the major population areas of Los Angeles' west side and the San Fernando Valley, offering millions of area residents great recreation opportunities including miles of open fire roads and even single-track for mountain bikers..
Location: West Los Angeles and Topanga State Park.
Best For: Intermediates.
Suitable For: All levels except extreme.
Ground Cover: Brush-covered hillsides and streamside woodlands..
Seasons: Good year round.

Zuma Canyon Area

If you're looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of L.A. and leave crowded trails behind even on weekends, the Zuma Canyon area might be just the ticket. Encompassing open space between Kanan Dume and Decker roads, this region seems to get the smallest crowds of all the Santa Monica Mountains destinations. The terrain here is typical SoCal, with chaparral predominating, interspersed with smaller areas of riparian woodlands and open grasslands. The riding generally consists of steep fire roads, though a beautiful segment of the Backbone Trail as well as the beginner- oriented Charmlee Park add variety..
Location: Malibu.
Best For: Strong intermediate riders.
Suitable For: All levels.
Ground Cover: Brush-covered hillsides and riparian woodlands.
Seasons: Good year round.