Robert Yoshio Nagata Park

This bench provides the ideal vantage point to experience the raw beauty of the California coast. The landscape is dotted with sage, wild oak, and the occasional yucca candelaria also known as Our Lord’s Candle by the Spanish settlers. 

A glimpse upwards may reveal the California towhee, a brown bird with a long tail ending in a boxy line. Or perhaps the adult quail with its signature comma-shaped feather on its head.

Witness the expanse of the Pacific Ocean stretching to Japan, Siberia, and Indonesia. Underneath the waves, swim California halibut, opaleye, arroyo goby, and glittering grunion. While the kelp on shore is alive with small insects and crustaceans, providing nourishment for birds who come to rest and feed. To sustain this coastal biodiversity, California established the Marine Protected Areas. 

Robert Yoshio Nagata Park Bench
Robert Yoshio Nagata Park image of trail
Robert Yoshio Nagata Park image of trail
Robert Yoshio Nagata Park image of hills and ocean

Decker Canyon 34°03'48.0"N 118°53'48.9"W - 0.7 mi to bench
Leo Carrillo 35000 Pacific Coast Highway - 3.8 mi to bench

Bench coordinates - 34°03'44.6"N 118°54'14.8"W

    • Driver must be comfortable on steep and narrow mountain roads with dramatic drops

    • Start on the 101 Freeway towards Agoura Hills

    • Exit 36 at Kanan

    • Head down Kanan, 6.0 miles

    • Turn right on Mulholland, 0.9 miles

    • Turn left on Encinal Canyon Road, 3.5 miles

    • Turn right on Lechusa Road, 1.0 mile

    • Turn left onto Decker Canyon, 2.8 miles

      • Drive past Decker School Road (twice; it forms a “u” and reconnects to the main road.)

      • 0.4 miles and you will see Decker Canyon Camp on the right … this is NOT the trailhead

      • The next pull out on the right with a gate says “private property” and the MRCA sign has been pulled off but the typical brown metal post remains

      • Park off the street on the dirt.  Duck under the gate

    • Destination is on the right

      • Note: suggest return trip back the way you came, Decker Canyon does continue all the way to Pacific Coast Highway, but is considered by many tow truck drivers as the most challenging road in the Santa Monica Mountains

    • Pull out near trailhead off of Decker Canyon will accommodate 3-5 cars

    • Parking in Leo Carrillo State Park requires payment

  • From Decker Canyon Trailhead:

    • Head in direction of ocean

    • Trail will veer north (parallel to ocean)

    • 0.7 miles to bench; Return back the way you came

    From Leo Carrillo Trailhead:

    • Head inland up to pond

      • Bench is 0.7 miles past the pond; Return back the way you came

    • Skill level 2; easy to moderate if coming from Decker Canyon, but requires hiking experience to find the right trailhead

    • Bring water, a hat, sunscreen, extra jacket, closed toed shoes and printed map

    • No shade

    • From Decker Canyon, listed as ADA accessible, could be very challenging for a wheelchair

    • From PCH, not wheelchair accessible.

Download Map + Directions ↓

Robert Yoshio Nagata Park- Decker Canyon trailhead

Robert Yoshio Nagata Park Trailhead - Decker Canyon

Robert Yoshio Nagata Park - Leo Carrillo trailhead

Robert Yoshio Nagata Park Trailhead - Leo Carrillo

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