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A day at Malibu Creek State Park is going to be filled with activity, gorgeous views, and plenty of nature. I personally went to Malibu Creek for a rock climbing trip, but there are plenty of hiking trails and less intense things to experience there as well. It was a great group hike up to the natural rock walls. The views were amazing, and we went in early November so the weather was amazing, not too hot or cold. We climbed the Planet of the Apes wall, which as a movie lover was also an amazing experience to get to climb and belay down the wall that was used in a movie! I highly recommend going to Malibu Creek at least once if you would enjoy an outdoorsy day. Bring a friend, a group of friends, family, a significant other, your dog(s), pack a pick nick, bring plenty of water and a camera because you will want to take in everything Malibu Creek has to offer!

It was a rare but torturous 105-degree day in Los Angeles. I was miserable. If I recall correctly, all I was asking for was “a hike where I can jump into some water at the end.” And that’s exactly what Malibu Creek offers. Located just miles outside of the city, the Santa Monica Mountains provide an accessible natural escape. The drive itself was gorgeous, winding through the wilderness and out of the LA. The park rangers were kind and helpful; as soon as they saw our bathing suits, they knew where we were headed. They gave us precise directions on how to get to the rock pool, and told us that we would find others along the way. My over-creative imagination always imagines getting kidnapped and murdered in the mountains, so I was relieved to find groups of teenagers, adults, and families along the way. It’s an easy hike—about one mile each way. The terrain is flat, ideal for novice hikers. However, keep in mind that this area is dry and arid during the summer, so stay hydrated! There are wide stretches of trail where there’s no shade for several hundred feet. The rock pool at the end of the hike was so refreshing (no pun intended)! On a weekday, there were about 30 people at the pool. Even then, there was plenty of room for us to swim, but the weekend crowd might not be as nice. Unfortunately, there really isn’t a clear spot to leave our belongings or lounge if you’re not swimming. The pool’s edges are lined with dirt and rocks. You’ll have to hopscotch to the edge because the rocks hurt! Also, be forewarned, the water is a very deep toxic green. You cannot see the bottom, and I was sure I was going to grow webbed toes underwater. The rocks are slippery, so be careful where you step or you might find yourself face-deep in emerald water. If you’re feeling brave, there are also several jumping rocks overlooking the pool. I didn’t try it for myself because of my now-obvious and irrational fear of nature, but several pool-goers did. If you’re looking for a quick adrenaline rush, I recommend it. Better you than me. During the summer, this hike is a revelation. However, make sure you contact the local rangers before heading out. During a dry season, the water may be too low for swimming and you might hike a mile to find yourself in a rocky, uneventful basin.

Malibu Creek State Park is a part of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, and it is also a major site for film and TV fans. A moderate hike will bring you to the site where the TV show M*A*S*H* was filmed, and while none of the original pieces are there anymore (they belong to the Smithsonian) the locations of different tents are marked, and there is a recreation of the famous signpost, as well as several trucks which were left behind. Another popular area, which is hardly a hike at all, is the Rock Pool, which is popular for swimming and for the rocks you can jump off if you want. This pool can get pretty busy on hot days, because it remains pretty cold no matter what. Within the park is also the original Regan Ranch and the Paramount Ranch, which was owned by the studio and remains a popular location for outdoor shoots for movies and TV shows. This is a great place for groups to go because it appeals to nature lovers and film buffs at the same time. If you don't want to pay for parking, you can park on Mulholland and hike in via the trail that starts on Mulholland to the left side of Las Virgines Road, if you are coming from Malibu.

I first visited Malibu creek state park during my sophomore year of high school. I went here for an environmental restoration event. I had never heard of this park before even though I'm from la. But this was such an amazing place to visit. After that event, I visited here again with my friends and completed the hike. This is one of my favorite hikes. If you're a hiking person, you will love it here. It's a great place for service projects and environmental sustaining events. It's also good for walks and relaxing. I would recommend visiting this park. It's got a beautiful, calm feel to it and its the perfect getaway from the urban side of Los Angeles.

Malibu Creek State Park is a fun and lovely place to get away from urban LA and spend some time in the outdoors. There are main trails that are more like outdoor nature walks than hikes, so it's a really good place to take kids, large groups, and others who want a hiking feel without having to climb any steep slopes. The creek area and pool at the end of the main path I went on are fun for hopping around and wading in the water. Environmental groups also do park cleanups and restoration in the area, which are perfect for service projects and field trips for groups of older kids.

Malibu Creek State park is an adventure that I will never forget. A group of my friends and I decided to go hiking the day before and we just picked this one randomly. We ended up going not knowing that we can swim there or jump off cliffs. We walked around a lot and enjoyed nature at its best. While we were roaming around we hadn’t seen many people but once we reached the lake there were tons of people. Since no one brought a change of clothes we went on with our hike. We ended up choosing a path and just kept going. We went on a hot summer day so we ended up getting really tired since no shade was coming up we ended up heading back the same way we came. This is worth the adventure though. If your prepared then you will have a great time.

Located about 25 miles from Los Angeles, Malibu Creek State Park once served as a popular filming location for 20th Century Fox, which classics like M*A*S*H, Planet of the Apes, and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid all being filmed there. So if you're a film buff, that's reason enough to hike there. The park boasts over 15 miles of streamside trails, and it's not uncommon to see mountain lions, bobcats, and golden eagles during your trek. Visitors are also encouraged to rock climb, mountain bike, fish, even camp if they feel like it. Malibu Creek State Park is open daily from sunrise to sunset.

Malibu Creek State Park Hike My Advice/ My Take: The Malibu Creek State Park is host to one of one of my favorite hikes in Los Angeles. The park is also one of Southern California’s most popular destinations for outdoor activities such as camping, rock climbing, horseback riding and bird watching. There are many different trails (day hikes or longer) that one can choose from. My preferred trail is one that leads to a rock pool. It is a fairly easy trek and it begins on the corner of Mulholland and Las Virgenes. You continue on Crags Road, which is the main route through the park, cross a creek and then you hit the pool. Some rugged rocks that are perfect for cliff jumping and rock climbing surround it. Need to Know/Tip/Insider Info: I recommend doing this hike in the Spring/Summer time then the weather is perfect for some swimming in the rock pool. If you aren’t afraid of heights, this is definitely a great place to go and cool off with some friends! And don’t worry; the highest cliff is only about 25 feet. *Fun Fact: This park was once used to film numerous movies and TV shows, such as Planet of the Apes and M*A*S*H. Who’s Hanging Here/ What’s the Vibe: There will be a mix of some serious hikers (hiking boots, walking sticks, backpackers etc) because of the abundance of trails to choose from, but you will also find your typical families and outdoorsy people as well. Also, there are great rocks for rock climbing so you will probably run into at least one avid rock-climber. Cocktails & Cuisine: No cocktails or cuisine here… but there are plenty of spots to stop and have a picnic! What to Wear: Hiking attire is recommended. And don’t forget to bring a bathing suit if you plan on swimming in the rock pool! What does it Cost: Besides gas money-Malibu isn’t necessarily in the heart of LA, the hike and parking is free! When to Go: Anytime during the year is great, but I personally like going in the late spring/early summer.