Free things to do around Los Angeles
Free Things to Do in Monte Nido
A wooded canyon hamlet in the Santa Monica Mountains — Cold Creek, Saddle Peak trails and deep seclusion.
About Monte Nido
Monte Nido is a tiny, wooded community deep in the Santa Monica Mountains near Malibu Canyon. Surrounded by preserves, its free draws are the trails — Saddle Peak, the Cold Creek and Calabasas trails — and the creekside, oak-shaded calm.
Remote and green, it offers some of the wildest free hiking in the central Santa Monica Mountains.
What's here
Free places in Monte Nido
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Saddle Peak Trail
Trails
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MRCA Open Space
Preserves
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Backbone Trail - Piuma Ridge Trail
Trails
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Calabasas - Cold Creek Trail
Trails
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Quaker--Dark Canyon
Parks
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Piuma Ridge Trail
Trails
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Cold Creek Nature Preserve
Preserves
- Directions ↗
David M. Brown Overlook
Viewpoints
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Piuma Traill
Trails
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MRCA Open Space
Preserves
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Malibu Canyon Piuma Ridge Open Space
Parks
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Piuma Traill
Trails
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David M. Brown Overlook
Preserves
- Directions ↗
Malibu Canyon Piuma Ridge Open Space
Parks
- Directions ↗
Scenic Viewpoint
Viewpoints
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Backbone Trail - Piuma Ridge
Trails
- Directions ↗
Malibu Canyon Piuma Ridge Open Space
Parks
- Directions ↗
Scenic Viewpoint
Viewpoints
- Directions ↗
Cold Creek Canyon Preserve
Parks
- Directions ↗
MRCA Open Space
Preserves
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Blue Onyx Open Space
Parks
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Mountains Restoration Trust Land
Preserves
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Blue Onyx Open Space
Parks
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Piuma Trailhead
Trails
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Backbone Trail - Piuma Connector Trail
Trails
- Directions ↗
Backbone Trail - Saddle Peak Trail
Trails
- Directions ↗
Backbone Trail - Saddle Peak Trail
Trails
- Directions ↗
Scenic Viewpoint
Viewpoints
- Directions ↗
Tapia Spur Trail
Trails
- Directions ↗
Cold Creek West Preserve
Preserves
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Cold Creek West Preserve
Preserves
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Tapia Park
Parks
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Tapia Park
Preserves
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King Gillette Ranch
Parks
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NPS Land
Preserves
Frequently asked: free things to do in Monte Nido
What are the best free things to do in Monte Nido?
Hike the Saddle Peak, Cold Creek and Calabasas trails through the surrounding Santa Monica Mountains preserves — all free.
Where is Monte Nido?
Monte Nido is a small community in the Santa Monica Mountains near Malibu Canyon and Calabasas.
Are the trails near Monte Nido free?
Yes — the surrounding mountain preserves and trails are free to hike.
Are there free events nearby?
Yes. Nearby Calabasas and Topanga host free events. The list on this page updates with current ones nearby.