Beginning at a dedicated parking lot, two trails leave from the south side of the lot. The trail follows a wide dirt path that remains generally level, though with a few brief dips and climbs. While horses, bicycles and dogs on leash are permitted throughout most of the mesa, the Monarch Butterfly Grove which offers the seasonal opportunity to view large colorful numbers of migrating monarch butterflies along this hike is restricted to walkers and hikers only.

Tracing the trail out to the mesa's cliff overlooking the ocean, the dirt trail begins to parallel the weaving contours of the cliff's edge, all the while offering epic views of the ocean in one direction and the Santa Ynez mountains in the other.

With weaving and interconnecting paths, it is possible for visitors to choose and customize their own route. Owing to the ease and accessibility of the area, you'll likely encounter numerous other users out for a run, bike ride or walking their dogs. Nearer the coast, the trail is more exposed, with minimal shade. However the opposite is true nearer the inland edge, where shady eucalyptus groves cover and protect trails and low lying seasonal streams.

Overall, Ellwood Mesa provides an easy route to get out and get some ocean air, or with the correct timing, see the spectacular displays of monarch butterflies flittering through the air or hanging in the trees.

Trails can be very muddy following wet conditions. The parking area has trash, however no water is available here.