Beat the heat, get an early start. This special beauty does not come from wildflower displays, which can be stunning in spring but sparse in summer. It's doubtful any poet will rhapsodize about such summer bloomers as bur-sage, mugwort, Indian milkweed, chaparral pea or ashyleaf buckwheat, though the scarlet petals of the California fuchsia and the tiny pink petals of the slim aster do have a certain charm. Some years ago, when I lived in Topanga Canyon, I routinely hiked through the state park in summer. After I moved, I, like many others, avoided the Santa Monica Mountains during the summer.
Most Topanga trails are good fire roads.
On clear days, city and canyon views are superb. In the heart of the state park, the walker will discover Eagle Rock and Eagle Spring and get topographically oriented to Topanga. The energetic will enjoy the one-way journey from Topanga to Will Rogers State Historic Park. The Topanga State Park to Will Rogers Park section of the Backbone Trail has proved popular. Follow Entrada Road by turning left at every opportunity until you arrive at Topanga State Park.