Leo Carrillo State Park has 1.5 miles of beach for swimming, surfing, windsurfing, surf fishing and beach combing. The beach also has tidepools, coastal caves and reefs for exploring. Giant sycamores shade the main campgrounds. The park also features back-country to explore the former ranch landscape and stock pond at the Nicholas Flat Natural Preserve.
Junior Rangers and campfire programs are offered during the summer. School field trips are offered durring the school year.
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 1950's TV series.
Location: The park is located 28 miles northwest of Santa Monica on the Pacific Coast Highway (Highway 1.) The address is 35000 West Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA 90265.
Driving Directions:
- Take the 101 freeway and exit at Kanan Road.
- Go south onto Kanan Road.
- Turn right onto Mulholland Highway.
- Keep left to continue on Encinal Canyon Road.
- Turn left to stay on Encinal Canyon Road.
- Turn right onto CA-1 N, Pacific Coast Highway.
- 2.3 miles down, the park entrance will be on your right.
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 hikes and trails:
- Leo Carrillo Beach Trail (moderate)
- Yellow Hill Trail (easy)
- Nicholas Flat Trail (hard)
Campground Information
Anything relating to Campground Reservations:
contact Reserve California online or 1-800-444-7275.
Firewood Policy: Burning firewood, Duraflame, and charcoal briquettes is allowed in the fire rings only when fire level permits. Check the sign near the entrance kiosk for the day's fire level.
Showers: The park has only token-operated showers. The token machines accept ONLY one dollar bills. Change for larger bills is not available at this time.
Electrical Hookup AMP details: 20 AMP, 30 AMP, 50 AMP (all 3 are present where hookups are)
For camp host opportunity inquiries, email angelescamphost@parks.ca.gov.
School Field Trips
Thank you for your interest in a field trip to Leo Carrillo State Park! We offer two options for your school to experience the park:
- Self-guided field trip: Bring your students to our parks for a self-guided field trip. Please contact us for more information at Malibu.FieldTrips@parks.ca.gov and fill out this form
- Guided field trips: State Park Staff and volunteers lead students on a guided field trip exploring the park. For more information about this guided field trip and to sign up, please go to this website.
Guidelines for all field trips:
- Reservations, made at least 1 month in advance, are required. Approved K-12 schools may have parking fees waived.
- Teachers are strongly encouraged to visit the park prior to their program to orient themselves.
- Chaperone ratio of 1:10 is required
Special Events and Filming
Special Event Information
Please email the Special Event Coordinator at malibu.specialevents@parks.ca.gov for the most up-to-date pricing, guidelines, and availability.
Filming Permits
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.
