We attempted the hike to Sandstone Peak on New Year Day 2016.
There were various places to park at the head of the trail. Once we approached the head trails on Yerba Buena Road, cars were parked on the side and were crowding the main lot for the trail. The first real parking lot gave access to all the trails you want at Sandstone Peak. If you continue on a bit, there was another parking lot for Sandstone Peak trail. This parking lot has a restroom. The Sandstone Peak trail leads straight to Sandstone Peak, about 2.5 miles round trip.
We parked at the first lot for Mishe Mokwa trail. We hiked the Mishe Mokwa trail and continued on to Sandstone Peak trail to ascend to the top. Hiking through Mishe Mokwa trail, you’ll be able to see the Split Rock, have access to Balance Rock trail. After passing the Split Rock, you’ll continue ascending and will reach Tripeak trail or if you continue on you will see a path for the Inspiration Point.
I do recommend the Inspiration Point @ Sandstone, as it gives you a beautiful panoramic view of mountains and ocean. From here, you’ll be able to see a view of Catalina Island, Channel Island, and Palos Verde.
From the Inspiration Point, you will reach Sandstone Peak in about .5 miles. Go up the stairs and turn left. Keep going up until you reach the top. The view was amazing, but I suspect it will be much more breathtaking at sunset. Remember to sign the guestbook kept away under Mt. Allen plaque.
When descending, I do recommend that you take the same route you came up. We took a different route to the right and had some little unpleasant rocky issues going down.
Once you make it down, turn right and head on down to the parking lot.
Although the hike was a bit rocky at times, it was overall very pleasant and moderate in difficulty level so long as you stay on the maintained trail. The Mishe Mokwa Trail to Sandstone Peak was about 6.5 miles loop and took us 4 hours if you include all the scenery stops. With limited stopping points, it would have probably taken us 3 hours.
We did enjoy this hike and do recommend this trail to beginners/intermediate hikers.
How to get there & parking:
From Orange County and Los Angeles area head towards Malibu. Heading north on PCH into the west end of Malibu and turn right onto Yerba Buena Rd. About 6.5 miles in you will see the Sandstone Peak trailhead parking lot on the left. Turn in to park. There is also a restroom here.
Trailhead address: 12896 Yerba Buena Road, Malibu, CA 90265
Trailhead coordinates: 34.111576, -118.926766 (34° 06′ 41.67″N 118° 55′ 36.35″W)