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THINGS
TO DO IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA |
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Malibu
Creek California State Park
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By Matthew
Martz |
A hidden gem in the Santa
Monica Mountains, Malibu Creek State Park is 7,000 acres
of beautiful running streams, old oak and sycamore groves,
and arid chaparral covered hillsides, perfect for hiking,
fishing, horseback riding, mountain bike riding and camping.
With a diverse topography that includes jagged mountains,
rock outcroppings, cliff-like slopes and deep gorges,
the park's rugged terrain was once used by filmmakers
to create spectacular backdrops for nearby Hollywood,
creating distant places such as old Mexico, deep space,
and an army hospital in South Korea.
Movies and television shows filmed here include the hit
television series' M*A*S*H, The Planet of the Apes, the
classic Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, as well as
Pleasantville. In fact, the Angeles District Headquarters
building here served as the “dream house”
in the 1948 classic, "Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream
House", and many abandoned movie props can still
be found in and buried around the parks unique landscape
.
Located just 35 miles from downtown Los Angeles, Malibu
Creek State Park features nearly 15 miles of trails that
wind along the 23-mile Malibu Creek, attracting all types
of outdoor enthusiast that flock to the area to enjoy
a day on the trials.
Before embarking on your adventure,
be sure to stop by the park’s visitor center, just
a short distance from the main parking area off the Las
Virgenes Road entrance. There you can pick up a map of
the park for $2 as well as discovering the area's wildlife,
microclimate and interesting past, including the history
of the structure that houses the center.
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Malibu Creek State Park |
Built in the 1920s as a vacation home by Willis P. Hunt,
who later, along with several other wealthy turn-of-the-century
businessmen purchased the land that is now part of Malibu
Creek State Park, the home was sold in 1946 to 20th Century
Fox, the State of California bought it in 1974.
Inside the center is a replica of a Chumash village with
photographs of Indian cave art and a large collection of
arrowheads that were found on the surrounding grounds. Touching
is encouraged at the many wildlife displays where kids can
feel the pelts of skunks and opossums or crush acorns with
a stone mortar and pestle. Visitors are also treated to
a short film about the many movies filmed on location at
the park
.
After a brief stop at the visitors center, it's time to
head out towards Rock Pool. After crossing the large bridge
spanning the creek and following the trail 3.5 miles along
the volcanic cliffs, you'll find tons of rocks to climb
on, as well as a perfect spot for both swimming and picnicking.
The "Swiss Family Robinson" television series
and some Tarzan movies were shot in this area of the park
.
Most of the parks trails are well marked and graded for
easy hiking if you follow the main fire service roads. However,
for those that seek a more challenging experience, there
are plenty of other smaller hiking trails that branch off
to various areas of the park. These are more difficult and
should only be traversed by more experiences hikers.
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Jagged Mountains of Malibu Creek Park |
Malibu Creek |
One of the more popular
areas within Malibu State Park is just a gentle two-mile
hike from the park entrance. Originally the archaeological
site of a Chumash village, and 25 years after the most watched
series finale in television history went off the air, the
outdoor set of M*A*S*H has been restored and re-opened to
the public.
For fans it's a must see, as you'll recognize the towering
Goat Buttes that were featured in the opening shot of each
episode, as well as an old rusted jeep, ambulance and a
replica camp signpost. Ropes mark the old hospital grounds
and there's a small outbuilding that houses a few displays.
One of the parks longer hikes is the 4.5 mile trial that
leads to Century Lake. Surrounded by porous lava and sedimentary
rock layers that helped form the Las Virgenes Valley , the
man-made lake is a popular spot with movie makers as well
as a haven for hikers to stop and rest.
Malibu Creek's year-round campground boasts 63 sites, offering
picnic tables, flush toilets, coin showers, and a dump station.
The cost is $35 per night and $12 per additional vehicle.
Wood burning is prohibited, but charcoal fires are permitted
in designated fire rings.
The park is open from dawn until dusk seven days a week,
and the visitors center is open most Saturdays and Sundays
from noon to 4 p.m. Parking is $12 but you can park free
on Mulholland Blvd and there is a trail that takes you in
for free past the parking lots.
Getting to Malibu Creek State Park is an easy hour’s
drive from anywhere in the San Fernando Valley or Los Angeles.
Expect a two hour drive from Orange County with traffic.
Next time you are looking for a weekend getaway, check out
Malibu State Park. |
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Cornell
Winery explore more than 50 local wines,
from Santa Monica Mountain vineyards |
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Malibu
Beach is rich
in history and home to the rich and famous. Covering
17 miles of coast. |
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Adamson
House is a mini
Hearst Castle on Surfrider Beach in Malibu. Guided
tours offered. |
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