Fryman Canyon Park

While its 122 acres spans across a swath of the eastern Santa Monica Mountains, most know Fryman Canyon as the Betty B Dearing Cross Mountain Trail, a fire road that starts in a parking lot off Laurel Canyon Boulevard and winds through Wilacre Park, Franklin Canyon and Coldwater Canyon Park. Park in the lot (for free!), then start the three mile loop that begins with a steep incline before leveling out to give hikers a breathtaking view of the valley below them. Sporadic benches offer a place to rest, while secondary trails branch off of the fire road along the loop, leading you to hidden look out points and even an outdoor theater.