BEST BUDDIES BREAKAWAY CAMP: MALIBU
HIKING EXPERIENCE
DEC. 2-6, 2026
What to Expect
Camp attendees will enjoy an epic five-day hiking experience from December 2-6, 2026, based out of the picturesque Four Seasons in Westlake Village. Hikers will find themselves immersed in nature as they hike in the Santa Monica mountains and receive the amenities, support, and structure of professional athletes.
Each day includes a full curriculum with expert guidance on pacing, fitness, nutrition, recovery, and wellness. All hikers start together, with time cutoffs to accommodate every fitness level—from beginners to advanced. Those who miss a cutoff complete an out-and-back, ensuring everyone regroups and reaches the day’s shared mileage goal.
The camp features Ironman World Champion and fitness guru Leanda Cave, and Endurance running pro, Jonathan Toker, who both bring years of racing, mentoring, and coaching experience.
Those hoping for a structured, objective based approach to Camp will have the opportunity to work with Leanda, who is a USAT Certified Coach, to achieve their performance goals. Through focused pre-hike meetings and post-hike debriefs, staff will provide hikers with the tools to achieve their goals, and feedback on how to maintain or improve their performance through a holistic approach to the week and beyond.
Supported by a full staff of licensed coaches, professional chefs, and massage therapists, this five-star Camp helps to raise funds and awareness for Best Buddies International’s global mission to support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
What's included
Five days of professionally-led hikes through Malibu with Pro guides SAG support.
- Hike alongside former professional triathlete, Leanda Cave, ultra endurance pro runner, Jonathan Toker and other fitness/hiking experts.
- On-site hike leaders for support before, during and after hikes.
- Fully catered and luxury style health-conscious rest stops to include some homemade items, bars, electrolyte powder, gels, and towelettes.
- Custom Best Buddies hiking gear including T-shirt, hat and Camelbak.
- Daily pre-hike briefing, route-overview, technical discussion and Q&A with hike leaders over coffee and light breakfast.
- Correspondence with coach in the weeks leading up to the Camp to discuss preparation and fitness goals.
- Option for one-on-one break-out sessions with a hike leader throughout the Camp.
- Every hiker will obtain a fitness knowledge to achieve health, nutrition and wellness goals for the year.
Nutrition and Wellness
Providing a holistic approach to training with special attention given to nutrition and post-training recovery.
- Daily gourmet, nutrient-dense group breakfasts, lunches, and dinners
- Daily post-hike massage and nutrition in the Best Buddies Recovery Room
- Presentations by leading fitness experts, including professional exercise physiologists
- Learn how train and recover for optimal performance day-in and day-out
- Hiking focused guided yoga, stretch, and foam-rolling sessions designed to improve flexibility, relieve tension, alleviate sore muscles, and promote recovery
Four Seasons Hotel West Lake Village
The Camp package includes a complimentary four (4) night stay at the Four Seasons Hotel West Lake Village set in the heart of the Santa Monica Mountains.
- Complimentary stay at the Four Seaons for four (4) nights.
- Guests will have access to the resort’s five-star spa, pool, and fitness facilities
- Complimentary daily laundry service
DAILY ITINERARY
Wednesday, Dec. 2 - Sunday, Dec. 6, 2026
This hiking experience combines the luxury of the Four Season with a hiking camp that embodies an atmosphere of health and wellness as you prepare for the holiday season. For the next five days you will enjoy a healthy breakfast to get you in the right mindset for day ahead. As you disconnect from the usual hustle and bustle, you will become into the Californian nature with a vigorous hiking adventure. You will be guided by our experts, and encounter seasonal treasures, including wildflowers and birdlife as you wind your way through Redwood forests or up open pastures on mountain side – all in your pace and your time. Once you return to the Four Seasons you will receive a bountiful lunch and rejuvenating massage before rolling into the evening for a social dinner amongst fellow hikers, where we recap the day over a culinary delight.
Day 1
Paradise Falls Loop
It’s always refreshing to end a travel day with a hike to get the blood flowing. This loop features some good hills and nice views to set the mood for the days ahead. While the average grade is only 5%, the max grade goes up to 26% which will get your lungs pumping to flush out all that travel fatigue. This is a good opportunity to determine your hiking level for the future hikes. For those who wish to do 3 miles, one of our experienced our hike leaders will take you on the out-and-back hiking route where you will also experience the beauty of Paradise Falls.
See Route & Schedule
Route
4.1 miles loop with a 1hr cutoff where hikers will be required to turn at 1.5 miles.
Intermediate: 573ft elevation; 5% average grade; 26% max grade.
Schedule
12:00 PM Guest arrival at The Four Seasons Westlake Village
12:00 pm – 3:00 PM Hiker meeting and gear distribution check.
3:00 PM – 5:00 PM Departure to trailhead: 4.1 miles loop with a 1hr cutoff where hikers will be required to turn at 1.5 miles.
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM Welcome dinner with schedule overview and group goals discussion
Day 2
Topanga Creek Outpost Loop
We start on a single track with a moderate climb leading to an open meadow that’s completely covered in beautiful yellow, wildflowers. The stunning scenery continues to with a jaw-dropping view of the San Fernando Valley. As we head into Temescal Canyon, you can enjoy the beautiful view from above the wild and lush canyons with sycamore and oak riparian forests below. As we continue to climb and the landscape changes to resemble Mars-like features with an abundance of red soil and round pebbles. From here you can take in the gorgeous views of the canyons below, all the way to the Pacific Ocean and beyond.
See Route & Schedule
Route
10.7 mile loop with a 2hr cutoff where hikers will be required to turn at 4 miles.
Intermediate/Difficult: 1,366ft elevation; 5% average grade; 23% max grade
Schedule
5:00 AM – 6:00 AM Meditation / Stretching Session
5:30 AM – 7:30 AM Coffee and breakfast
7:30 AM Hiker Meeting
8:00 AM – 1:00 PM Departure to trail head: 10.7 mile loop with a 2hr cutoff where hikers will be required to turn at 4 miles.
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM Lunch at Four Seasons Westlake Village
2:00 PM – 5:00 PM Massage and compression therapy with protein smoothies in The Spa
5:00 PM – 6:30 PM Nutrition Seminar
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM Dinner at Four Seasons Westlake Village
Day 3
Sycamore Canyon Loop
This loop, coming in at over 9 miles, allows you to take in the scenic Sycamore Canyon, as well as great views of the La Jolla Valley and the Pacific coastline. The highest point offers great views of Big Sycamore Canyon and the surrounding mountains, including Boney Peak, as it starts to wind its way down into the canyon. From here you’ll hike along the coastal cliffs before winding back into the canyon before returning to the original trailhead.
See Route & Schedule
Route
9.2 miles loop with a 2hr cutoff where hikers will be required to turn at 4 miles.
Intermediate: 1,147ft elevation; 5% average grade; 22% max grade.
Schedule
5:00 AM – 6:00 AM Meditation / Stretching Session
5:30 AM – 7:30 AM Coffee and breakfast
7:30 AM Hiker Meeting
8:00 AM – 1:00 PM 9.2 miles loop with a 2hr cutoff where hikers will be required to turn at 4 miles.
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM Lunch at Four Seasons Westlake Village
2:00 PM – 5:00 PM Strength & Conditioning Seminar
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM Dinner at Four Seasons Westlake Village
Day 4
Queen Stage – Long Ranch /Oak Park/Cheeseboro Canyon Loop
This route starts in Lang Ranch, a beautiful community in Thousand Oaks and climbs and drops down into Oak Park, another beautiful community. The trail is part fire road, part single track and a tiny bit of street. You’ll get to experience amazing views of the Thousand Oaks area all along the 10 mile loop. It is challenging with super steep climbs, but the views and the fun single track make it worth it! This route starts at Lang Ranch Park and you are on the street for a 1/4 mile before accessing the trail which starts as a very steep, single track climb. You’ll continue to have rolling climbs for the next few miles before you descend on a fun single track down into Oak Park. At this point, it becomes a bit of an adventure as you need to climb a rain gutter up to a street. This is not for the faint hearted as it is super steep and technical and is a little over 1 mile. However, once at the top, you can enjoy the views of Oak Park and beyond.
See Route & Schedule
Route
10.2 miles loop with a 2hr cutoff where hikers will be required to turn at 4 miles.
Intermediate/Difficult: 2,013ft elevation; 7% average grade; 23% max grade.
Schedule
5:00 AM – 6:00 AM Meditation / Stretching Session
5:30 AM – 7:30 AM Coffee and breakfast
7:30 AM Hiker Meeting
8:00 AM – 1:00 PM 10.2 miles loop with a 2hr cutoff where hikers will be required to turn at 4 miles.
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM Lunch at Four Seasons Westlake Village
2:00 PM – 5:00 PM Recovery Seminar
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM Dinner at Four Seasons Westlake Village
Day 5
Sandstone Peak Loop
This hiking loop offers unrivalled views as it takes you through the Santa Monica Mountains to the summit of the highest peak in the range, Sandstone Peak at 3,110 feet. Along the way, you’ll have the chance to catch some views of Triunfo Pass and before descending to Carlisle Canyon where you can take in views of Balanced Rock. As we rise out of the canyon and at the highest point you’ll see a pyramid-shaped rock called Egyptian Rock straight ahead.
See Route & Schedule
Route
6.1 mile loop with a 90min cutoff where hikers will be required to turn at 2 miles.
Intermediate/Difficult: 1,144ft elevation; 7% average grade; 28% max grade.
Schedule
5:00 AM – 6:00 AM Meditation / Stretching Session
5:30 AM – 7:30 AM Coffee and breakfast
7:30 AM Hiker Meeting
8:00 AM – 11:00 AM 6.1 mile loop with a 90min cutoff where hikers will be required to turn at 2 miles.
11:30 AM – 1:30 PM Lunch at Four Seasons Westlake Village
11:30 AM – 1:30 PM Massage and compression therapy with protein smoothies in the Spa
12:00 PM – 5:00 PM Check Out and Departure
Five-Day Breakaway Camp Package
$8,000 One-Time Hiker Fee ($4,000 Deposit Due at Registration)
Once registered, you’ll have access to your own fundraising webpage, which you can easily personalize. Your webpage makes it easy for donors to give and for you to ask for and keep track of donations.
We’ll also provide you with fundraising materials, including email and letter templates, posters and step-by-step guides for holding your own fundraising events. And, you’ll have the support of a Best Buddies Coach. Whether you are new to fundraising, or an old pro, we’ve got all the tools you’ll need to not only meet, but exceed your fundraising goals.
Supporting Best Buddies
All funds raised benefit Best Buddies International, the largest organization dedicated to ending the social, physical and economic isolation of the 200 million people worldwide with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Our programs empower people with IDD to form meaningful friendships with their peers, secure jobs, improve communication and advocacy skills, and live independently, while also offering support for their families.
The IDD community that Best Buddies serves individuals with IDD and their families. The IDD community includes, but is not limited to, people with Down syndrome, autism, Fragile X, Williams syndrome, and other undiagnosed disabilities.