provided by
Leo Carrillo State Park has 1.5 miles of beach for swimming, surfing, windsurfing, surf fishing and beachcombing. The beach also has tide pools, coastal caves and reefs for exploring. Giant sycamores shade the main campgrounds. The park also features back-country hiking.
Nature walks and campfire programs are offered and a small Visitor Center has interpretive displays. During the summer, children's programs are available.
The park was named after Leo Carrillo (1880-1961), actor, preservationist and conservationist. Leo Carrillo served on the California Beach and Parks commission for eighteen years, and was instrumental in the state's acquisition of the Hearst property at San Simeon. He was related by blood and marriage to a long line of distinguished original Californians. Leo's greatest fame came from his portrayal of Pancho, the sidekick to Duncan Renaldo's Cisco Kid, an early 1950s TV series.
Getting There
The park is located 28 miles northwest of Santa Monica on the Pacific Coast Highway (Highway 1.)
The Day Use Annual Pass is accepted at this park.
The park is located 28 miles northwest of Santa Monica on the Pacific Coast Highway (Highway 1.)
The Day Use Annual Pass is accepted at this park.
Operating Hours & Contact
The gate is locked from 10pm to 8am. No entry after 10pm.
Telephone: 818-880-0363 (general information)
The gate is locked from 10pm to 8am. No entry after 10pm.
Telephone: 818-880-0363 (general information)
Camping
The Canyon Campground has 135 family sites, each with a table and fire ring. Restrooms and hot pay showers are nearby. Hike-and-bike campsites are located near campsite #1. The Group Campground at the back of the canyon accommodates up to 50 people. It has picnic tables, two barbecue pits, and restrooms with hot pay showers. Camping reservations are recommended from May through October and on holiday weekends.
Make Online Reservations
Note: The park recently switched from coin-operated showers to token-operated showers. The token machines accept ONLY one dollar bills. Change for larger bills is not available at this time.
Max Camper Length: 31 Feet
Max Trailer Length: 31 Feet
The Canyon Campground has 135 family sites, each with a table and fire ring. Restrooms and hot pay showers are nearby. Hike-and-bike campsites are located near campsite #1. The Group Campground at the back of the canyon accommodates up to 50 people. It has picnic tables, two barbecue pits, and restrooms with hot pay showers. Camping reservations are recommended from May through October and on holiday weekends.
Make Online Reservations
Note: The park recently switched from coin-operated showers to token-operated showers. The token machines accept ONLY one dollar bills. Change for larger bills is not available at this time.
Max Camper Length: 31 Feet
Max Trailer Length: 31 Feet
Recreation & Activities
Fishing: Anglers over age 16 need a valid California fishing license to fish for kelp (calico) bass, surf perch, sheephead, halibut and white sea bass.
Diving: The clear waters of the park are good for scuba diving and snorkeling. Dive with the proper certification, equipment and training, and never dive alone. Ask a lifeguard about ocean conditions and the best diving areas.
Surfing: Swim and surf only in areas with lifeguards, and go with a friend. Sequit Point and nearby Staircase and County Line beaches are especially popular. Swimming, boogie boarding and sunbathing are also favorite activities. Know your limits and learn about weather and ocean conditions. If you get caught in a rip current that causes you to drift from shore, do not swim against it. Instead, swim parallel to the shore until you are out of the current, then swim back towards shore.
Hiking: Hikers have a choice of gentle or more energetic walks. Yellow Hill Fire Trail offers panoramic views of the beach; on a clear day, you can see Anacapa, Santa Catalina and Santa Cruz, three of the Channel Islands in the distance out at sea. The steeper Nicholas Flat Trail meanders through wildflowers and various plant communities to a seasonal pond. A short nature trail loops near the campfire center at the rear of Canyon Campground.
Interpretive Programs: Campfires, Junior Ranger programs and nature walks are offered from Memorial Day through Labor Day. A small visitor center is open on the weekends. School field trips must have reservations. For information, call 805-488-1827.
Fishing: Anglers over age 16 need a valid California fishing license to fish for kelp (calico) bass, surf perch, sheephead, halibut and white sea bass.
Diving: The clear waters of the park are good for scuba diving and snorkeling. Dive with the proper certification, equipment and training, and never dive alone. Ask a lifeguard about ocean conditions and the best diving areas.
Surfing: Swim and surf only in areas with lifeguards, and go with a friend. Sequit Point and nearby Staircase and County Line beaches are especially popular. Swimming, boogie boarding and sunbathing are also favorite activities. Know your limits and learn about weather and ocean conditions. If you get caught in a rip current that causes you to drift from shore, do not swim against it. Instead, swim parallel to the shore until you are out of the current, then swim back towards shore.
Hiking: Hikers have a choice of gentle or more energetic walks. Yellow Hill Fire Trail offers panoramic views of the beach; on a clear day, you can see Anacapa, Santa Catalina and Santa Cruz, three of the Channel Islands in the distance out at sea. The steeper Nicholas Flat Trail meanders through wildflowers and various plant communities to a seasonal pond. A short nature trail loops near the campfire center at the rear of Canyon Campground.
Interpretive Programs: Campfires, Junior Ranger programs and nature walks are offered from Memorial Day through Labor Day. A small visitor center is open on the weekends. School field trips must have reservations. For information, call 805-488-1827.
Natural History
The Land
The Mediterranean climate and varied topography support chaparral, coastal sage scrub, riparian woodland, wildflowers and coastal strand plant communities. Higher inland regions support dense brush, fire-adapted chaparral species such as chamise, manzanita, ceanothus and scrub oak. Lower elevations are home to the sage scrub plant community - prickly pear cactus, buckwheat, giant coreopsis, California sagebrush and bush sunflower. Riparian plant Communities - California bay, willow, blackwalnut and sycamore trees - grow in the cool, moist environment along Arroyo Sequit. Rabbits, bobcats and coyotes thrive here, along with squirrels and scrub jays. Hikers often see acorn woodpeckers, horned owls, quail, warblers and red-tailed hawks. Mule deer, gray foxes and raccoons forage in the riparian woodland at night. Amphibians and reptiles include salamanders, toads, lizards, rattlesnakes, gopher and king snakes.
The Sea
Small beach coves in this year-round paradise offer privacy and ocean access for anglers, divers, surfers, wildlife watchers and beach walkers.
Tide pools: During seasonal low tides, visitors may see sea stars, anemones, mussels, crabs and other tide pool creatures. Tide pool animals are fragile and need your help to protect them. Touch animals gently and leave them where you find them. Picking up animals may injure them. Leave shells as future homes for hermit crabs.
Marine mammals: Gray whales migrating down the coast venture in close to the beach. In April and May, gray whales may be seen from the beach as mothers (cows) and babies (calves) return north. Dolphins, harbor seals and sea lions can also be seen swimming along the beach.
Sea birds: Pelicans, gulls, grebes and cormorants glide overhead. Many species of gulls and shorebirds feed along the shoreline while other birds fish in the waters offshore. Pelicans and cormorants are commonly seen resting on rocky outcroppings.
The Land
The Mediterranean climate and varied topography support chaparral, coastal sage scrub, riparian woodland, wildflowers and coastal strand plant communities. Higher inland regions support dense brush, fire-adapted chaparral species such as chamise, manzanita, ceanothus and scrub oak. Lower elevations are home to the sage scrub plant community - prickly pear cactus, buckwheat, giant coreopsis, California sagebrush and bush sunflower. Riparian plant Communities - California bay, willow, blackwalnut and sycamore trees - grow in the cool, moist environment along Arroyo Sequit. Rabbits, bobcats and coyotes thrive here, along with squirrels and scrub jays. Hikers often see acorn woodpeckers, horned owls, quail, warblers and red-tailed hawks. Mule deer, gray foxes and raccoons forage in the riparian woodland at night. Amphibians and reptiles include salamanders, toads, lizards, rattlesnakes, gopher and king snakes.
The Sea
Small beach coves in this year-round paradise offer privacy and ocean access for anglers, divers, surfers, wildlife watchers and beach walkers.
Tide pools: During seasonal low tides, visitors may see sea stars, anemones, mussels, crabs and other tide pool creatures. Tide pool animals are fragile and need your help to protect them. Touch animals gently and leave them where you find them. Picking up animals may injure them. Leave shells as future homes for hermit crabs.
Marine mammals: Gray whales migrating down the coast venture in close to the beach. In April and May, gray whales may be seen from the beach as mothers (cows) and babies (calves) return north. Dolphins, harbor seals and sea lions can also be seen swimming along the beach.
Sea birds: Pelicans, gulls, grebes and cormorants glide overhead. Many species of gulls and shorebirds feed along the shoreline while other birds fish in the waters offshore. Pelicans and cormorants are commonly seen resting on rocky outcroppings.
Park History
Archaeologists believe that the Chumash people, superb artisans who excelled at basketry and elaborate rock art, lived in the area as long ago as 6,000 B.C.E. They enjoyed playing games, singing, dancing and trading with other tribes. Their plank boats carried them to the Channel Islands to trade, fish and gather mussels and abalone. In the late 1700s, Spaniards settled the area, forcing dramatic changes on the Chumash and their way of life. Native American labor built Mission San Buenaventura, but the regimented mission life and the effects of European diseases took a toll on the Chumash. After inhabiting this land for thousands of years, they had nearly disappeared by 1920. Today many Chumash descendants still celebrate and share their vibrant cultural traditions.
Archaeologists believe that the Chumash people, superb artisans who excelled at basketry and elaborate rock art, lived in the area as long ago as 6,000 B.C.E. They enjoyed playing games, singing, dancing and trading with other tribes. Their plank boats carried them to the Channel Islands to trade, fish and gather mussels and abalone. In the late 1700s, Spaniards settled the area, forcing dramatic changes on the Chumash and their way of life. Native American labor built Mission San Buenaventura, but the regimented mission life and the effects of European diseases took a toll on the Chumash. After inhabiting this land for thousands of years, they had nearly disappeared by 1920. Today many Chumash descendants still celebrate and share their vibrant cultural traditions.
Accessible Features
Camping
Seven campsites are accessible. Visitors will find that other sites are generally level, have adequate space and may be usable. Many sites have accessible picnic tables and fire grills. Two campground restroom and shower buildings are accessible with adjacent parking. Distances from campsites to restrooms vary but routes are generally accessible.
Camp Store: Entry is accessible. Interior aisle width varies, but staff assistance is available. One designated accessible parking site is adjacent to the store.
Group camping includes an accessible combination restroom with shower and one accessible tent pad.
Picnic Area
North Beach: Accessible picnic sites include accessible parking and restrooms. All routes and stairs from bluff and Highway 1 to beach have been modified for accessibility. Accessible pay phone is available.
Trails
The Camp 13 Trail: The Camp 13 Trail is an approximately ¾ mile gravel and compacted soil surfaced trail which parallels the Canyon Campground. The trailheads are located near the campground entrance station and near campsite 44. Accessible restrooms are located in the campground.
Beach/Shore Access
Beach wheelchairs are available to check out at beach entry kiosks.
North Beach provides accessible parking and paved path under freeway. Beach wheelchairs are available to get onto the beach. Accessible restroom and a no-flush restroom are available.
South Beach: Accessible parking and paths and a beach wheelchair provide beach access.
Camping
Seven campsites are accessible. Visitors will find that other sites are generally level, have adequate space and may be usable. Many sites have accessible picnic tables and fire grills. Two campground restroom and shower buildings are accessible with adjacent parking. Distances from campsites to restrooms vary but routes are generally accessible.
Camp Store: Entry is accessible. Interior aisle width varies, but staff assistance is available. One designated accessible parking site is adjacent to the store.
Group camping includes an accessible combination restroom with shower and one accessible tent pad.
Picnic Area
North Beach: Accessible picnic sites include accessible parking and restrooms. All routes and stairs from bluff and Highway 1 to beach have been modified for accessibility. Accessible pay phone is available.
Trails
The Camp 13 Trail: The Camp 13 Trail is an approximately ¾ mile gravel and compacted soil surfaced trail which parallels the Canyon Campground. The trailheads are located near the campground entrance station and near campsite 44. Accessible restrooms are located in the campground.
Beach/Shore Access
Beach wheelchairs are available to check out at beach entry kiosks.
North Beach provides accessible parking and paved path under freeway. Beach wheelchairs are available to get onto the beach. Accessible restroom and a no-flush restroom are available.
South Beach: Accessible parking and paths and a beach wheelchair provide beach access.
Community Trips
The tidepools at Leo Carrillo State Park are a wonderful place to explore. Join us as we visit them and check back as I update the hike with more pictures of plants and animals throughout the year. Park Ranger and Docent Staff
We met at The Nature Center at Charmlee Wilderness Park in Malibu, CA. It was 6:00 pm and the moon was just rising over the hills. The first group of 30 or so hikers went ahead lead by a guided tour. The remaining 23 hikers were asked to stay back for a second night guide. We took the Old Ranch Road and Meadow Ranch Road fire trails to the Old Reservoir outlook....
So this is the return leg of the downhill run after taking lunch at Leo Carillo State Beach. And Shaz thinks I should be proud of her for this one. She had so much burn going on I could smell the smoke. It' a long slog uphill (about 1700 feet in just over a couple of miles) and it was go a couple of hundred yards then stop. It was gusting about...
Reviews
