Talk About A Hike With A View!

In the distance is Malibu, Santa Monica, and of course the incredible Pacific Ocean – a hike that my wife Alex and I have taken many times…and it’s always worth a photo…whether you are looking to the west, or to the east, where downtown Los Angeles beckons in the morning fog…

Let’s Go “Hitch Hiking!”

My wife Alex came up with the title “Hitch Hiking” – our plan: share a great hike we’ve gone on, along with an appropriate Alfred Hitchcock movie…a “Hitch hike”….and our first one to share is from Los Angeles – more specifically, from an incredible state park that is located just off the famous Sunset Boulevard….

Welcome To Will Rogers State Park!

Located just a few miles inland from the Pacific Ocean, just north of Sunset Boulevard, Will Rogers state park was donated to the state by the entertainer’s wife after his death in a plane crash in 1935.

When you arrive there are rolling lawns and a huge and active polo field…but we were headed up, toward Southern California’s uniquely wild backbone!

Welcome To The Backbone Of The Santa Monica Mountains!

Yes, this “backbone” runs almost seventy miles, from Point Mugu State Park north of Malibu directly to Will Rogers State Historic Park overlooking the entire west side of Los Angeles.

It’s easy to get to, park, and explore…as you can see, there are broad trails that lead up into the mountains, surrounded here by Eucalyptus trees…

There is a moderate 2-mile loop to and from Inspiration Point, which provides you with this view of the entire west side of Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Malibu and more.

There are countless trails that you can follow, as that map shows…just know that the closer you get to the wild, the closer the wild gets to you…

There have been sightings, but if you stay on the main trails, you are much more likely to run into a group of horseback riders…and yes, horses have the right of way.

So do the cactus.

As you climb higher, you begin to see everything around you – to the east, you have spectacular views of downtown Los Angeles – with a home in the foreground that also has that view…

The trail continues higher and higher, and you see incredible views of the Pacific Ocean to the west – and after an hour, you reach a wooden bridge that spans a steep gully in the mountainside…a perfect time to celebrate!

Yes, nothing better than crossing the bridge and doing a “Rocky” jump to celebrate!

We love going this far up the trail, and once you are across the bridge, there is a very steep and narrow trail, with a railing, that takes you to an overview that has been turned into a shrine…

The higher you climb, the more spectacular the view becomes in all directions: a mix of mountain shrubs and incredible ocean views – a view that even the wildlife enjoy…

We finally stopped, spent time just soaking in the view, then headed back down – and yes, you get the incredible view as your guide…

Now, From “Hike” To “Hitch!”

With this aggressive four hour hike behind us, it was time to regroup at home for the second part of the day: a classic Hitchcock film!

To Catch a Thief is the 1955 romantic thriller film directed by Alfred Hitchcock, and stars Cary Grant as a retired cat burglar who has to save his reformed reputation by catching an imposter preying on the wealthy tourists of the French Riviera. Grace Kelly also stars – and it was her final film with Hitchcock.

Check out the trailer:

Here is what inspired us to watch it: the incredibly beautiful French Riviera, which is shown in a great driving scene with Cary Grant and Grace Kelly…never mind that every dialogue scene was clearly shot in a studio on green screen, the exterior shots offer up a Riviera that reminds us of the view from Will Rogers!

So there you go: a great “hitch hike” – and more to come!

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