Malibu Creek State Park Celebrates 50 Years with Evening of Music, Food, Storytelling and Stars
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Moments from the 50th anniversary celebration at Malibu Creek State Park on Sept. 26. Photos from California State Parks
CALABASAS — California State Parks is proud to celebrate 50 years of Malibu Creek State Park (SP), one of Southern California's most iconic state parks. State Parks collaborated with the Santa Monica Mountains (SAMO) Fund to host a public event with an evening of live music, food, storytelling, stargazing and anniversary cake on Sept. 26. The celebration, centered around the theme “Stories Live Here,”honored the rich cultural, natural and historic legacy of the park.
“For 50 years, Malibu Creek State Park has welcomed visitors with its stunning landscapes and outstanding opportunities for outdoor recreation,” said Angeles District Superintendent Richard Fink. “Its story reaches far beyond these 50 years, and we honor the Native American communities whose deep connections to this land continue today. This anniversary celebrates everyone who has helped care for the park and reminds us of our responsibility to protect its natural and cultural heritage for future generations."
“Santa Monica Mountains Fund was thrilled to support California State Parks in celebrating 50 years of Malibu Creek State Park,” said SAMO Fund Executive Director Deanna Armbruster.“This event helped connect people to their public lands and highlight the important work happening across the Santa Monica Mountains. Supporting that connection is at the heart of what we do, and we’re proud to be part of it.”
During the day, visitors enjoyed live music, food and drinks while exploring hands-on activities, educational exhibits and partner booths. They examined fossils, learned about the park’s trees and natural resources, created nature-inspired art and connected with community partners.
Members of the “Apemania” group also made an appearance at the event in full special-effects makeup and costumes inspired by the 1968 Hollywood classic “Planet of the Apes,” portions of which were filmed at the park. Delighted event attendees lined up to take photos and interact with the group.
As evening fell, tribal members, scientists, historians and other storytellers shared stories about the people, wildlife and landscapes that have shaped Malibu Creek SP across generations. The celebration also featured anniversary cake and guided telescope viewing with the Los Angeles Astronomical Society, giving visitors a chance to explore the night sky.
About Malibu Creek State Park
Malibu Creek SP encompasses more than 8,000 acres of spectacular canyons, grasslands, oak woodlands, volcanic rock formations and scenic trails in the heart of the Santa Monica Mountains and offers outstanding opportunities for camping, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, rock climbing, fishing, birdwatching and nature exploration. For thousands of years, the area has been home to Indigenous peoples, whose enduring connections to the land continue today. The park also preserves significant chapters of California's ranching and homesteading history.
History
Since time immemorial, the people of ta’lopop have lived in the area that today is known as Malibu Creek SP. 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.
In the late 18th century, Spanish colonization and the subsequent establishment of missions led to the takeover of these lands and disruption of the Native settlements. By the early 1900s, as metropolitan Los Angeles continued to grow, the area became a private recreation retreat and was later purchased by 20th Century Fox as “Century Ranch.” Its dramatic landscape appeared in productions including “Planet of the Apes,” “Roots” and “M*A*S*H”.
Timeline and Key Dates
- 1769 – Gaspar de Portolá’s expedition passes through the region, leading to Spanish colonization and the subsequent establishment of missions and disruption of Native settlements
- 1862 – Passage of Homestead Act leads to Malibu Creek area being settled by homesteaders
- 1863 – Settler Pedro Sepulveda builds an adobe home (now a historic structure) near what is now Las Virgenes Road and Mulholland Highway
- 1910 – Crags Country Club established on former homestead lands
- 1946 – 20th Century Fox purchases the property, subsequently using its dramatic landscape as a backdrop for over 100 films and television shows
- 1970s – California State Parks acquires property
- 1976 – Malibu Creek State Park opens
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