Malibu Creek State Park

Malibu Creek State Park extends across the crest of the Santa Monica Mountains, encompassing over 8,000 of scenic acres filled with craggy canyons, gorges, and meadows. Divided by a section of Malibu Creek, the park has been an incredibly important place for humans for thousands of years.  

As far as human memory extends, the people of ta’lopop have lived in the area that today we know as Malibu Creek State Park. The village complex of ta’lopop is believed to be one of the oldest habitation areas known in the Santa Monica Mountains, and it is known to be home to the Ventureño Chumash, Fernandeño Tataviam, and Gabrieleno/Tongva. Malibu Canyon acted as both a natural and cultural boundary for people speaking the eastern Chumash (mitsqanaqan) and the Western Tongva (Fernandeño) languages. People were identified by their lineages connected to their village, and villages maintained political and personal relationships through trade. After Gaspar de Portolá’s 1769 expedition and the subsequent establishment of missions at San Fernando and San Buenaventura, Spanish settlers began colonizing native lands. The people of ta'lopop were forced to relocate and work at the missions and later, ranches; however, some native communities, persisted in Malibu Creek area until the “American era.” 

Malibu Creek area was settled by Homesteaders in the mid 1860’s with the passage of the Homestead Act in 1862. In 1863, settler Pedro Sepulveda built an adobe home from local mud bricks, located on the corner of Las Virgenes Road and Mulholland Highway. This historic structure was stabilized in 2003, following damage from the Northridge Earthquake, and underwent restoration from 2014 to 2016 for opening as a museum. The adobe was severely damaged in the 2018 Woolsey fire and work continues to protect and preserve the structure. 

As metropolitan Los Angeles continued to grow, Crags Country Club was established in 1910 on former homestead lands for wealthy businessmen as a place to recreate with their families. Several Club members constructed weekend homes, including the Hunt House, which now serves as the park’s Visitor Center, and the Mott Adobe. Built about 1925 along Malibu Creek by John G. Mott, a prominent LA attorney, the home was featured in Architectural Digest in 1930 and hosted lavish parties for friends, including President Herbert Hoover.  Today, much of the Abode walls have melted back into the earth, leaving only the dramatic stone fireplace standing.  

Hollywood soon discovered the beautiful scenery, and with club membership declining, 20th Century Fox Studios purchased the property in 1946. The rocks and trees at what became known as “Century Ranch” formed a dramatic backdrop for over 100 films and television shows including Planet of the Apes, Roots, and M*A*S*H. California State Parks bought Century Ranch in the early 1970s, adding acreage that included the historic White Oak Farm and Ronald Reagan’s Yearling Row ranch. The park was classified and opened in 1976. 

Location:
The park is located four miles south of Highway 101 on Las Virgenes/Malibu Canyon Road.
1925 Las Virgenes Road, Calabasas, CA 91302

Driving Directions:

• From the 101 exit on Las Virgenes Road.
• Go south on Las Virgenes Road (toward the ocean)
• Continue straight.
• Park entrance will be on the right, a little past the Mullholland Drive intersection.

Parking fees:

• All day – $12.00 per car, per day
• 3 hrs – $9.00 per car
• 2 hrs – $6.00 per car
• 1 hr – $3.00 per car
• Large Bus- $125 per bus
• Small Bus- $50 per bus

Popular trails and hikes:

• Rock Pool (easy)
• Century Lake (easy)
• M*A*S*H site (moderate)
• Lookout Trail (moderate)

No Dogs on Trails at Malibu Creek State Park - Nearby Dog Friendly Trails

Dogs are NOT permitted on the trails in Malibu Creek State Park. Here are some places nearby where dogs are allowed: 

Why aren’t dogs allowed on trails at Malibu Creek State Park?

1. To Protect Resources: Dogs are predators by nature - presence or lingering scent of dogs can cause wildlife to move away, temporarily or permanently reducing the amount of available habitat in which to feed, breed and rest. Dogs can transmit diseases and other parasites to native animals. Dogs that run loose or become lost often harass or kill park wildlife.

2. To Protect You and Your Dog: Dogs in wild areas can be bitten by rattlesnakes or other wildlife. Dogs frequently pick up ticks. If your dog comes in contact with with poison oak it can easily transfer the irritating oils to you.

3. For the Safety and Enjoyment of Others: Some people are intmidated by dogs, even friendly ones. Dogs reduce the amount of wildlife that hikers are likely to see.

Visitor Services

Picnic reservations currently are first-come, first-served and reservations are not required. If you have 25 or more people in your group, plan to bring in special equipment, or hire someone - you will need to apply for a Special Event Permit by contacting the Special events office at:  Malibu.SpecialEvents@parks.ca.gov.

Campground Information

Anything relating to Campground Reservations:

contact Reserve California online or 1-800-444-7275.

Showers: The park's showers are token-operated. The token machines accept ONLY one dollar bills. Change for larger bills is not available at this time.

Firewood policy: Firewood is allowed to be burned in a fire rings in the campground on LOW (Green) level Fire Safety Day(s). Burning firelogs (ex: Duraflame log) and charcoal briquettes in the fire rings is allowed when fire level is at Medium (Yellow) and weather permits. On a HIGH (Red) level wood, firelogs, or briquettes are NOT allowed to be burned. Check the sign near the campground entrance to see the day's fire level.

For camp host opportunity inquiries, email angelescamphost@parks.ca.gov.

Special Events, Field Trips, and Filming

Field Trip Information

We offer guided field trips at Malibu Creek State Park. For for information and to sign up, please go to this website. 

For a self-guided field trip to Malibu Creek State Park or to arrange a field trip as an organization, please contact us for more information at Malibu.FieldTrips@parks.ca.gov

Guidelines for all field trips: 

1. Reservations, made at least 1 month in advance, are required. Approved K-12 schools may have parking fees waived. 
2. Teachers are strongly encouraged to visit the park prior to their program to orient themselves. 
3. Chaperone ratio of 1:10 is required

Special Event Information

You will need a Special Event permit if any of the following criteria apply: (1) Groups 25 or more people, (2) using equipment not a part of the park (amplified sound, stage, lights, flowers, chairs, tables, etc.), (3) collecting payment and/or paying for non-DPR service requires a Special Event Permit.  Please email the Special Event Coordinator at malibu.specialevents@parks.ca.gov for the most up-to-date pricing, guidelines, and availability. 

Filming Permit Information

If you would like to perform commercial or student filming or photography at the park, you need to contact the State Park film permit coordinator at (818) 880-0358 or Melony.Light@parks.ca.gov.