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Rapid, dramatic geologic changes created the spectacular landscape of Malibu Creek State Park. Its jagged mountains, rock outcroppings, cliff-like slopes and deep gorges were formed over two million years by severe climate changes, earthquakes, erosion and tectonic plate collisions. These forces continue to shape the landscape today.
In the early days of the film industry, rugged terrain that could double for far-off locations was difficult to find near Hollywood. Filmmakers transformed this area into exotic locales such as old Mexico, outer space, and an army hospital in Korea. Movies and television shows filmed here include M*A*S*H, The Planet of the Apes, Pleasantville and How Green Was My Valley. The Angeles District Headquarters building here served as the “dream house” in the 1948 classic, Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House.
Just 25 miles from downtown Los Angeles, the park features hiking, fishing, bird watching and horseback riding opportunities.
There are 15 miles of streamside trail through oak and sycamore woodlands on chaparral covered slopes.
23-mile Malibu Creek in the park is the principal watercourse of the Santa Monica Mountains, from Boney Mountain to Malibu Lagoon.
The park is open from dawn until dusk. A visitor center is open on weekends only.
Getting There
The park is located four miles south of Highway 101 on Las Virgenes/Malibu Canyon Road.
The Day Use Annual Pass is accepted at this park.
The park is located four miles south of Highway 101 on Las Virgenes/Malibu Canyon Road.
The Day Use Annual Pass is accepted at this park.
Native History
This land was home to the Chumash people for thousands of years. Grasslands, chaparral (drought resistant, fire-adapted shrubs), oak woodlands, and riparian woodlands (stream areas) provided abundant resources. Early Spanish explorers found a Chumash culture of settled villages, established class structures and extensive trade systems. The Chumash were known for their extraordinary craftsmanship, oral traditions, music and rich religious life. Archaeologists have uncovered the site of a small village once known as Talepop in the northeast section of the park. European immigration and exploration changed the lives of the Chumash people forever.
Their descendants still carry on many of their traditions today. The Sepulveda Adobe, at the corner of Las Virgenes and Mulholland, housed a homesteading family in the 1860s.
This land was home to the Chumash people for thousands of years. Grasslands, chaparral (drought resistant, fire-adapted shrubs), oak woodlands, and riparian woodlands (stream areas) provided abundant resources. Early Spanish explorers found a Chumash culture of settled villages, established class structures and extensive trade systems. The Chumash were known for their extraordinary craftsmanship, oral traditions, music and rich religious life. Archaeologists have uncovered the site of a small village once known as Talepop in the northeast section of the park. European immigration and exploration changed the lives of the Chumash people forever.
Their descendants still carry on many of their traditions today. The Sepulveda Adobe, at the corner of Las Virgenes and Mulholland, housed a homesteading family in the 1860s.
Tips & Rules
• Check-out time is noon.
• Quiet hours are 10pm to 6am
• Generators may be operated only between 10am and 8pm
• All bicycle riders under age 18 must wear a helmet.
• The maximum speed limit in the park is 15 mph.
• Dogs must be on a six-foot maximum leash at all times and must be inside a tent or RV at night. Dogs are not permitted on trails or dirt fire roads.
• Campfires are permitted only in the metal fire rings provided. Wood may be used during low fire danger conditions, and charcoal during medium fire conditions. No fires are permitted when fire risk is high.
• Please check at entrance station for fire conditions.
• Alcohol consumption is permitted in the camping and picnic areas only, and only by those 21 years of age or older.
• Minors, when camping or visiting alone, must have written permission from a parent or guardian, including contact phone number, to enter the park.
• Park only in the campsite for which you have been registered. Limit of 2 vehicles limit per site. All vehicles must remain on the pavement.
• Please do not occupy any campsite until you have registered and paid for it.
• Check-out time is noon.
• Quiet hours are 10pm to 6am
• Generators may be operated only between 10am and 8pm
• All bicycle riders under age 18 must wear a helmet.
• The maximum speed limit in the park is 15 mph.
• Dogs must be on a six-foot maximum leash at all times and must be inside a tent or RV at night. Dogs are not permitted on trails or dirt fire roads.
• Campfires are permitted only in the metal fire rings provided. Wood may be used during low fire danger conditions, and charcoal during medium fire conditions. No fires are permitted when fire risk is high.
• Please check at entrance station for fire conditions.
• Alcohol consumption is permitted in the camping and picnic areas only, and only by those 21 years of age or older.
• Minors, when camping or visiting alone, must have written permission from a parent or guardian, including contact phone number, to enter the park.
• Park only in the campsite for which you have been registered. Limit of 2 vehicles limit per site. All vehicles must remain on the pavement.
• Please do not occupy any campsite until you have registered and paid for it.
Accessible Features
Camping
Some sites are usable. Assistance may be needed with access to fire rings, water spigots or trash. Restrooms with showers: Toilets are generally accessible with adjacent accessible parking. Shower facilities are usable.
Make Campground Reservations
Picnic Area
Some accessibly designed tables are available. Restrooms are usable.
Trails
Las Virgenes Connector Trail is a multi-use trail 0.40 mile long through a rural setting. The trailhead, parking and restroom are located at the southern end of De Anza City Park, adjacent to Malibu Creek SP.
Visual Impaired Trail is a 0.40-mile interpretive trail in a meadow setting that leads to a usable picnic area. The trailhead is about 200 feet from the lower (main) parking lot. Accessible parking and restroom are nearby.
Camping
Some sites are usable. Assistance may be needed with access to fire rings, water spigots or trash. Restrooms with showers: Toilets are generally accessible with adjacent accessible parking. Shower facilities are usable.
Make Campground Reservations
Picnic Area
Some accessibly designed tables are available. Restrooms are usable.
Trails
Las Virgenes Connector Trail is a multi-use trail 0.40 mile long through a rural setting. The trailhead, parking and restroom are located at the southern end of De Anza City Park, adjacent to Malibu Creek SP.
Visual Impaired Trail is a 0.40-mile interpretive trail in a meadow setting that leads to a usable picnic area. The trailhead is about 200 feet from the lower (main) parking lot. Accessible parking and restroom are nearby.
Trails
Summary
Difficulty
Distance
Solstice Canyon
A moderate hike to a ruined mansion in the Santa Monica Mountains, complete with waterfall!
A moderate hike to a ruined mansion in the Santa Monica Mountains, complete with waterfall!
Moderate
5.9 mi/
9.5 km
9.5 km
Bulldog Road / Castro Crest
Rock scrambling and a great workout hike in the southwestern part of Malibu Creek State Park / Castro Crest.
Rock scrambling and a great workout hike in the southwestern part of Malibu Creek State Park / Castro Crest.
Moderate
7.6 mi/
12.2 km
12.2 km
Malibu Creek
Some of the highlights along Malibu Creek, in central Malibu Creek State Park.
Some of the highlights along Malibu Creek, in central Malibu Creek State Park.
Moderate
7.9 mi/
12.7 km
12.7 km
Malibu Lagoon State Beach
Summary
Difficulty
Distance
The Malibu Lagoon State Beach
A walk along the coast of Malibu Lagoon State Beach, including Malibu Pier and the historic Adamson House.
A walk along the coast of Malibu Lagoon State Beach, including Malibu Pier and the historic Adamson House.
n/a
2.0 mi/
3.2 km
3.2 km
Guides
Rock scrambling and a great workout hike in the southwestern part of Malibu Creek State Park / Castro Crest.
Some of the highlights along Malibu Creek, in central Malibu Creek State Park.
A walk along the coast of Malibu Lagoon State Beach, including Malibu Pier and the historic Adamson House.
A moderate hike to a ruined mansion in the Santa Monica Mountains, complete with waterfall!
Community Trips
A shaded canyon hike to the ruins of a burned-down mansion. Full write up at
Modern Hiker.
Hiking With DeanThe Cold Creek Preserve protects the headwaters of Cold Creek, one of the few year-round streams in the Santa Monica Mountains. The extravagant lushness of the riparian vegetation growing in Cold Creek Canyon Preserve today is astonishing. In spite of the 1993 Malibu fire that burned virtually everything to a crisp, the gully-washing rains from the 1998 El Nino with its floods and mudslides, and recent earthquakes, the preserve has...
This hike is different than the other versions seen on Every Trail--it goes into the canyon, and allows a bunch of bouldering and climbing of rocks. If you are an inexperienced hiker, or not used to edging around rocks (and climbing them), this hike may not be for you. I did it the last two weekends, and it was fun (pictures included from both trips). For me however, this is one of...
Went for a hike in Malibu Creek Park to go find the area where they shot M*A*S*H.
Until the fire of October 9, 1982 (in Malibu Creek State Park), the Mendenhall Oak was a magnificent spreading live oak tree. Reportedly 700 years old, it was already ancient when the Spanish expeditions first came. When stagecoaches ran between Santa Barbara and Los Angeles it provided a shady rest stop on the line. Although the tree burned and collapsed in 1982, new growth and regeneration should provide us a clue to...
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