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The long volcanic wall of Echo Cliffs above green chaparral

Santa Monica Mountains

Echo Cliffs

See the crags we guide

Photo: National Park Service (Public domain)

Not guided

We don't run guided trips to Echo Cliffs.

Guided climbing is not an authorized commercial use here. The notes below are for independent climbers, or you can see why we skip a few local crags.

One of the best sport crags in the Santa Monicas, but guided climbing isn't permitted here.

About Echo Cliffs

Echo Cliffs is a stunning band of volcanic rock below Sandstone Peak, with nearly 200 bolted routes and a great cluster of easy climbs on the Easy Street wall. If you climb independently, it is one of the best days out in the Santa Monica Mountains.

It's on National Park Service land, where commercial operators need a Commercial Use Authorization, and guided rock climbing isn't currently one of the activities the park authorizes. So we don't guide here. If you'd like to build the skills to visit on your own, a learn-to-lead day with us at Texas Canyon or Malibu Creek is a great place to start.

Highlights

  • Nearly 200 bolted routes
  • Great independent-climber destination
  • Stay on designated trails: part of the Grotto is closed

Good for

  • Independent climbers

Access and permits

Access
Open to the public, but part of the Grotto is closed by the NPS to protect sensitive plants. Stay on the designated climbers’ trail.
Permits
NPS Commercial Use Authorizations at Santa Monica Mountains NRA do not currently cover guided rock climbing.

We only guide where we're authorized. Commercial guiding has to be permitted by the land manager, so we don't run trips here.

Sources and further reading

Access changes often, with fires, storms and closures all common. Check the land manager's alerts before you go.

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