Castro Crest
This hike first descends into Upper Solstice Canyon where the pleasant, mostly shaded trail follows a seasonal creek bed. As the trail begins to rise out of the canyon, the views get progressively more spectacular. First, lovely folded green hills emerge, followed by large sandstone formations in the distance. As you gain elevation, ocean views become more prominent. On a clear day, you can see most of the Channel Islands, Catalina, and the Santa Monica coastline. Once over the crest, seemingly endless layers of mountains abound in an almost 360 degree panorama, including views down into Malibu Canyon and beyond.
Trailhead: From Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, head 5.5 miles inland on Corral Canyon Road to a dirt parking lot where the road dead ends. Note that Corral Canyon runs between Malibu Canyon Road and Kanan Road. The best way to take this hike is clockwise, starting with the trailhead for the Backbone trial on the west side of the parking lot, then returning on the Castro Motorway (a fire road). Address: End of Corral Canyon Road, Malibu.
Circle X Ranch
Tucked in the canyons above Malibu and nestled below majestic Boney Mountain, you will find Circle X Ranch. This former Boy Scout camp offers many opportunities for exploration and adventure. Hike to Sandstone Peak, the highest point in the Santa Monica Mountains, and see several of the Channel Islands on a clear day. Enjoy a visit to the Grotto or a creekside picnic. Reserve the Group Camp and listen to coyote songs at night.
Travel one of the many trails that wind through this rare coastal Mediterranean ecosystem. The plants you see here, such as coastal sage scrub and mixed chaparral, are adapted to hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. Keep an eye out for red shank chaparral, a tree-like shrub with reddish-brown bark, clusters of thread-like leaves, and small bunches of white flowers in July and August.
From the dry, rocky slopes near Sandstone Peak to the lush fern-studded Grotto, Circle X Ranch provides a wide variety of recreational possibilities. Linger here for a while, and experience the ambiance of this secluded mountain retreat. Address: 2896 Yerba Buena Road, Malibu.
Charmlee Natural Area
Charmlee Wilderness Park is 590 acres of the best of the Santa Monica Mountains Coastal Slope environment. The park includes picnic areas, eight miles of hiking trails, native plant displays, and a nature center. Programs include a volunteer docent program, school and group nature programs, and a variety of public hikes and interpretive programs. Hours: The Park is open to the public 8 a.m. to sunset daily. The Nature Center is open Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, and from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Address: 2577 S. Encinal Canyon Road, Malibu Phone: (310) 457-7247.
Corral Canyon Park
Directions & Trail Map Regionally significant 340-acre Corral Canyon Park in Malibu encompasses the last undeveloped coastal canyon in Los Angeles County that flows freely to the ocean. The park is easily accessed from a trailhead on Pacific Coast Highway between Malibu Canyon and Kanan Dume Roads. There is also an MTA bus stop at the entrance to the park.
The trailhead provides parking, picnic areas, restrooms, educational displays, sitting benches, and a hiking trail. The 2.5 mile loop trail climbs through pristine wilderness to the Puerco Canyon watershed divide and provides spectacular ocean and mountain views. It then descends onto an ancient marine terrace with native bunch grasses. Along this route, the hiker will pass through coastal sage scrub, coastal bluff native grassland, and the riparian corridor of Corral Creek with its alder, coast live oak, California sycamore, and willow trees. A pocket of coastal salt marsh is located where the creek meets the Pacific Coast Highway bridge. Additionally, the new trailhead allows seasonal access to Los Angeles County-operated Dan Blocker State Beach. Address: 25623 Pacific Coast Highway. Escondido Canyon Park
Directions & Trail Map Accessed from Pacific Coast Highway about a mile south of Kanan Road in Malibu, the trail through Escondido Canyon Natural Area leads hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians 4.2 miles through oak woodland, riparian woodland, and Coastal sage scrub to the spectacular, multi-tiered 150-foot Escondido Falls—the highest in the Santa Monica Mountains. Allow yourself at least two hours to enjoy this trail and spectacular waterfall.
From the parking lot the trailhead is a one mile walk up the paved road. At the Escondido Canyon Trailhead sign, head to the left, walking upstream. The trail criss-crosses the creek several times and then opens onto grassy flats. A mile into the trail you will reach the base of the waterfall. This is the lower tier of the huge limestone fall. The upper tier is 150 feet tall with a deep pool at its base.
Directions: The parking lot is on Winding Way East at Pacific Coast Highway. Park cars here and walk north along Winding Way East (private road) to dirt trail that starts at the end of the paved road.
Address: 27200 Winding Way, Malibu.
La Jolla Valley Natural Preserve,
Point Mugu State Park
Directions & Trail Map In 1966, La Jolla Valley was acquired by the State of California as part of Point Mugu State Park. To encourage native grassland, La Jolla Valley Natural Preserve was established in 1972.
The La Jolla Valley trail starts out along the relatively easy La Jolla Canyon, moving through a little canyon carved by the stream running down the canyon. After about a mile and a half, rolling hills and grasslands of La Jolla Valley spread out before you. You will see a lovely pond on your left, you will head west across the entire expanse of the valley. During the spring, this valley is covered with wildflowers.
At about the four mile mark, the trail begins to swing around the north flank of Mugu Peak, eventually traversing along the steep hillside facing the ocean. This is a breathtaking section of trail with wonderful views of the ocean and the Navy base. At about six miles you will find a cutoff trail that take you up to the top of the 1,266 foot Mugu Peak. There are great views of both the ocean and La Jolla Valley. After enjoying the peak, rejoin the main trail for an easy two mile trek back to the car.
Trailhead: Drive up the coast north on Pacific Coast Highway from Malibu. About 1.5 miles north of Big Sycamore Canyon camp ground is the Ray Miller Trailhead, which is used to access La Jolla Valley. (Lat:34.08396 Lon:-119.03565) Address: West on Pacific Coast Highway, 1 1/2 mi. north of Big Sycamore Canyon campground, Malibu Phone: (818) 880-0350
Leo Carrillo State Park & State Beach
Visit the Official Website The 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, who 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 1950's TV series. Directions: The park is located 28 miles northwest of Santa Monica on the Pacific Coast Highway. Address: 35000 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu Phone: (818) 880-0350
Malibu Canyon Piuma Ridge
Directions & Trail Map Located on the spine of the central Santa Monica Mountains on the divide between the Malibu Canyon and Cold Creek watersheds, Malibu Canyon Piuma Ridge is accessed up twisty Piuma Road. The park includes one formal picnic area perched above the Malibu Creek Gorge on the upper side of the hairpin turn of Piuma Road east of Malibu Canyon Road. A few short trails lead off of Piuma Road on both the north and south facing slopes of the range. The north slope is blanketed by thick fog banks in the summer. As a result, the area supports one of the largest contiguous oak woodlands in the range. The understory is also lush. Directions: Located on the south side of Piuma Road about .25 mile beyond the Piuma Overlook (uphill.) Address: Piuma Road, Malibu.
Malibu Lagoon State Beach
Visit the Official Website The beach features 22 acres of wetlands, flower gardens, and sandy beach. The lagoon is where Malibu Creek meets the sea. Malibu Surfrider Beach has a long standing reputation as a premier surfing beach. *Wi-Fi now available! For more information about parks with wireless access go to: Other parks with WiFi access... January 19, 2005, News Release (pdf).
On the east side of Malibu Creek Bridge, Malibu Pier allows for excellent saltwater fishing. On the west side of Malibu Creek Bridge, visitors will find picnic tables and a nature area, excellent for bird-watching and a the study of a Southern California saltwater marsh.
Guided tours of the wetlands and other natural elements such as grunion, the monarch butterfly, tidepools, and the gray whale are scheduled seasonally. Cultural history tours of Chumash life and other early Malibu residents, the railroad and more, is also offered.
Directions: From Santa Monica, follow the Pacific Coast Highway thirteen miles west. From the 101 Freeway, exit at Las Virgenes Road, proceed 10 miles west through Malibu Canyon, turn left at Pacific Coast Highway, travel 1.5 miles east. Entrance for parking and the nature area is at Cross Creek Road. Walk east across the bridge and follow the dirt lane to the Adamson House.
The State Beach parking lot is located on the west side of the Malibu Creek Bridge. A county parking lot is located directly in front of the Adamson House. Disabled Access: Vehicles are not allowed on the grounds unless the license plate displays the disabled emblem. Disabled access to the museum and the first floor of the house is available. A video of the upper floor is available upon request. Address: 23200 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu Phone: (818) 880-0350
Point Mugu State Park
Visit the Official Website Point Mugu State Park, located in the Santa Monica Mountains, features five miles of ocean shoreline, with rocky bluffs, sandy beaches, sand dunes, rugged hills and uplands, two major river canyons and wide grassy valleys dotted with sycamores, oaks and a few native walnuts. There are more than 70 miles of hiking trails. The beach also features swimming, body surfing and surf fishing. The 15,000-acre park includes the jagged pinnacles of the Boney Mountains State Wilderness Area. Directions: The beach is 15 miles south of Oxnard on Pacific Coast Highway. Address: 9000 W. Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu Phone: (818) 880-0350
Red Rock Canyon Park
Directions & Trail Map Red Rock Canyon Park is located in the heart of the Santa Monica Mountains off of Old Topanga Canyon Road. The riparian canyon walls are fortified with huge red sandstone outcroppings, reminiscent of Southwest canyons and gorges. Special rockland micro-habitats reside among the many beautiful red, tan and pale purple rocks and oak and sycamore trees at the bottom of the gorge. The park provides a key habitat linkage between Malibu Creek State Park and Topanga State Park. A small picnic area and drinking fountain are available at the trailhead.
The trail leads up a fire road through slopes blanketed with toyon, laurel sumac, mountain mahogany, bush sunflowers, and ceanothus to Calabassas Peak, providing spectacular views of the Santa Monica Mountains. It then descends and narrows to the cool bottom of Red Rock Canyon. The trail then meanders through fascinating sculptured rock formations in colors ranging from chalk white to deep red.
Directions: From Highway 101 exit Topanga Canyon Blvd. in Woodland Hills and head south one mile to Mulholland Drive and turn right. Turn left on Mulholland Highway and head west 2.2 miles to Old Topanga Canyon Road. Head 3.6 miles south, then turn west on Red Rock Canyon Road. . You may park at this intersection or continue on for .8 mile to the park entrance. Two- tenths of a mile on this road is dirt and unimproved. Address: 23601 W. Red Rock Road, Old Topanga.
Topanga State Park
Visit the Official Website Located in the cliffs and canyons of the Santa Monica Mountains, Topanga State Park features 36 miles of trails through open grassland, live oaks and spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean.
The park is located entirely within the Los Angeles city limits and is considered the world’s largest wildland within the boundaries of a major city. More than 11,000 acres of land are preserved in the park. Excellent recreational opportunities abound for hikers as well as mountain bikers (restricted to fire roads) and equestrians.
The park is bound on the south by Pacific Palisades and Brentwood, on the west by Topanga Canyon, and on the east by Rustic Canyon. Numerous geologic formations can be found in the park, including earthquake faults, marine fossils, volcanic intrusions, and a wide variety of sedimentary formations.
Park Trails
Many of the park's trails can be accessed from Trippet Ranch. The Musch Trail leads north to Musch Trail Camp by winding in and out of the sun and shade where plant assemblages change with every subtle difference in light and moisture.
Two miles from Trippet is Eagle Junction, where hikers encounter the Eagle Spring loop trail. Eagle Rock, one of the many boulder outcrops on the trail, looms over the terrain and provides panoramic views of the park. At the eastern end of the Eagle Spring loop, hikers will come to the Hub Junction and the Temescal Fire Road.
Going north, hikers travel through chaparral to unpaved Mulholland Drive, which traverses the park. South on Temescal Fire Road takes hikers high above the wild canyons with sycamore and oak riparian forests below. At Rogers Junction, hikers can opt for the Backbone Trail, a trail that winds through the Santa Monica Mountains from Will Rogers State Historic park in the east to Point Mugu State Park in the west. Rustic Canyon can be seen from the Backbone Trail.
Another option from Trippet Ranch is to walk east to the Topanga Fire Road and then north for a short distance to the Santa Inez Trail. Descending into the Santa Inez Canyon, hikers can see crumbly sandstone formations containing pockets where moisture can collect, supporting numerous small plants that form tiny cliff gardens. Close to the bottom of the trail is a side trail leading to a lovely waterfall.
Directions: From Pacific Coast Highway, travel north on Topanga Canyon Boulevard, pass the post office at the center of "town," then turn right on Entrada Road. Keep to the left at every opportunity until you reach the park's main parking lot (about one mile). From the Ventura Freeway (101), exit at Topanga Canyon Boulevard, drive south over the crest of the mountains and proceed three miles to Entrada Road and turn left. Address: 20825 Entrada Road, Topanga Phone: (310) 454-8212
Will Rogers State Historical Park
Visit the Official Website
Hiking Trails Beyond the ranch and the stables are the trails that lead to spectacular views of the countryside around the park. Since Will Rogers State Historic Park is on the tip of the Santa Monica Mountains, the trails offer vistas of both the sea and the mountains. Visitors can hike to Inspiration Point or take the Rogers trail around the perimeter of the park.
Directions: The park is located off Sunset Boulevard in Pacific Palisades at 1501 Will Rogers State Park Road. Address: 1501 Will Rogers State Park Road, Pacific Palisades Phone: (310) 454-8212
Zuma/ Trancas Canyons
Zuma! It is derived from the Chumash word for “abundance.” Certainly, Zuma and neighboring Trancas Canyons satisfy this description. The perennial streams running through these canyons give rise to an abundance of animal and plant life. These same natural resources have influenced and given rise to a long and rich cultural history. Preserved by the National Park Service, their "zuma" or their abundance of resources and beauty remain for you to experience. Address: End of Busch Drive, N of Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu Phone: (818) 597-9192 For a complete list of California State Parks go to:
http://www.parks.ca.gov