Temescal Gateway Park Trailhead Parking
Temescal is a local-agency lot, not an Adventure Pass site. Temescal Gateway Park sits at 15601 Sunset Boulevard and is managed by the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority partnership. The NPS notes that a fee may be collected; check the posted local rule. Transit from Los Angeles and Santa Monica is a real alternative when the lot is busy.
The facts
- Trail served
- Temescal Canyon Loop and connections into Topanga State Park
- Cost / pass
- A local entry fee may be collected; no Adventure Pass
- Lot size
- Developed gateway parking; no published space count
- When it fills
- Weekends and warm coastal mornings are busiest
- Overflow option
- Use transit or arrive early; do not block Sunset Boulevard or nearby residential streets
- Tow / citation risk
- Follow MRCA and posted curb rules; the lot is not a Forest Service fee site
- Restrooms
- Restrooms at the park and conference-center area
- Road to the lot
- 15601 Sunset Boulevard, turn onto Temescal Canyon Road from Pacific Coast Highway
- Busy season
- Year-round; summer beach traffic adds pressure and winter rain can affect trails
Getting there
15601 Sunset Blvd, Pacific Palisades, CA
Get directions →Read the agency sign
Temescal Gateway is managed through the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority partnership. The NPS site says a fee may be collected, so the posted local sign controls the payment rule. An Adventure Pass does not apply here.
The lot sits beside a busy city edge
This is not a remote forest trailhead. Sunset Boulevard, Pacific Coast Highway and nearby residential streets carry normal traffic, so the shoulder is not a good overflow plan. Arrive early, use transit or choose a different Santa Monica Mountains site if the gate area is full.
Transit is part of the parking plan
The NPS identifies Los Angeles Metro and Santa Monica Blue Bus service to Temescal Gateway. That makes this one of the few pages in the cluster where the realistic parking alternative is leaving the car at home rather than moving it to another small lot.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an Adventure Pass at Temescal Canyon?
No. Temescal Gateway is managed by the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority partnership, not the Forest Service. A local entry fee may be collected; follow the posted sign.
Where is Temescal Gateway Park?
The entrance is at 15601 Sunset Boulevard in Pacific Palisades, reached from Pacific Coast Highway via Temescal Canyon Road.
What if Temescal parking is full?
Use Metro or Santa Monica bus service, arrive earlier, or choose another marked lot. Do not block Sunset Boulevard or residential streets.
Are there restrooms at Temescal Gateway?
The site lists restrooms among its park amenities.
Facts on this page last verified August 2, 2026. Fees, hours, and access rules change seasonally — confirm with the official source before a long drive.