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Temescal Canyon, Los Angeles County, California

Nature & parks
In Los Angeles, California
2.7 mi from Route 66

Temescal Canyon is a valley in Pacific Palisades, near Santa Monica, CA, about 2.7 miles off the old road. It runs through the Los Angeles County part of the Santa Monica Mountains, and its name comes from the Spanish word for a sweat lodge. For travelers who reach the end of Route 66, it offers a quick look at the mountains that rise behind the coast.

What is Temescal Canyon, Los Angeles County?

The canyon is a natural valley cut into the Santa Monica Mountains, with its head up in the hills and its mouth lower down toward Pacific Palisades. "Temescal" is Spanish for sweat lodge, a reminder of the region's older layers of history.

Visiting Temescal Canyon, Los Angeles County: tips

The canyon lies about 2.7 miles from the old road. Water, food and restrooms can be found within about 0.1 miles. The Getty Villa is about 1.8 miles away, and Heal the Bay Aquarium is roughly 2.9 miles off, so the canyon fits well into a day along the coast.

Practical info

On site & nearby

Sources: OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) · Wikidata · official site — may be outdated. Suggest a fix

Where to eat near Temescal Canyon, Los Angeles County

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Diner & restaurant
Barney's Beanery
West Hollywood, CA · 9.9 mi from Temescal Canyon, Los Angeles County
A West Hollywood roadhouse on Santa Monica Boulevard since 1927, its walls covered in old license plates.
Diner & restaurant
Carney's
West Hollywood, CA · 10.2 mi from Temescal Canyon, Los Angeles County
Hot dogs and burgers served from yellow Union Pacific rail cars above the Sunset Strip in West Hollywood.
Diner & restaurant
Pink's Hot Dogs
Los Angeles, CA · 11.4 mi from Temescal Canyon, Los Angeles County
A Los Angeles hot dog stand on North La Brea Avenue, serving since 1939 at the edge of Hollywood.

On the map

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Temescal Canyon, Los Angeles County with the 6 closest stops and places to eat (fork and knife). Tap a marker for details.

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Stops near Temescal Canyon, Los Angeles County

All of California

Getty Villa

Los Angeles, California · 4.6 mi from Route 66

Ancient Greek, Roman and Etruscan art in a villa-style museum on the Pacific Coast Highway.

MuseumPhoto credit

1.8 mi from Temescal Canyon, Los Angeles County

Topanga Ranch Motel

Malibu, California · 5.4 mi from Route 66

Site of a 1929 bungalow motel at Topanga Beach, built by William Randolph Hearst and burned in 2025.

Retro roadsidePhoto credit

2.7 mi from Temescal Canyon, Los Angeles County

Santa Monica Pier

Santa Monica, California · 0.8 mi from Route 66

Santa Monica's 1909 pier on the Pacific, where the End of the Trail sign marks Route 66's symbolic finish.

Art & landmarksPhoto credit

2.8 mi from Temescal Canyon, Los Angeles County

Heal the Bay Aquarium

Santa Monica, California · 0.6 mi from Route 66

A marine aquarium tucked beneath the Santa Monica Pier, at the symbolic end of Route 66.

Nature & parksPhoto credit

2.9 mi from Temescal Canyon, Los Angeles County

Edgemar

Santa Monica, California · 0.8 mi from Route 66

A Frank Gehry shopping complex on Santa Monica's Main Street, built from old warehouses and new forms.

MuseumPhoto credit

3.7 mi from Temescal Canyon, Los Angeles County

Topanga State Park

Los Angeles, California · 6.0 mi from Route 66

An 11,000-acre Santa Monica Mountains state park with 36 miles of trails, all inside Los Angeles.

Nature & parksPhoto credit

4.2 mi from Temescal Canyon, Los Angeles County

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