Malibu Creek State Park
Park Popular Los Angeles park with hiking and filming locations
In the Santa Monica Mountains, Malibu Creek State Park offers canyon trails, rock pools and climbing routes; hikers, mountain bikers and film‑location enthusiasts use it for day trips near Los Angeles.
Malibu Creek State Park is a California state park in the Santa Monica Mountains within Los Angeles County that protects a mix of riparian corridors, oak woodlands and rocky outcrops. The park is a regional outdoor recreation area offering hiking, climbing, equestrian trails and picnic areas.
Among its recognizable features are a rock pool and small reservoir on Malibu Creek used for swimming and photography when open. The park also contains the on-site filming areas used for the long-running TV series MAS*H and numerous other film and television productions.
Trails range from short walks to longer day hikes through oak savanna and canyon systems, and the park is used year-round by local residents and visitors. Facilities include trailheads and parking off local access roads on the inland side of the Santa Monica Mountains.
The park sits within the Santa Monica Mountains west of the San Fernando Valley and north of the Pacific coast, with road access from the western Los Angeles suburbs and the Calabasas area.
- Location and use: Located within the Santa Monica Mountains in Los Angeles County and managed as a California state park offering trails, climbing and equestrian facilities.
- Recreation: Popular for day hikes, rock climbing on volcanic and metamorphic outcrops, and swimming at the rock pool where conditions allow.
What to See #
- Rock pool / Century Lake: Century Lake and the adjacent rock pool are formed by a low dam on Malibu Creek and are popular spots for day visits, photography and easy walks.
- M*A*S*H filming site: The former TV and film site known as the M*A*S*H set lies within the park and is a named point of interest for visitors familiar with on-location filming history.
How to Get to Malibu Creek State Park #
From central Los Angeles take US-101 North to the Las Virgenes/Malibu Canyon exit. Head west on Las Virgenes Road; the park entrance and main parking are at 1925 Las Virgenes Road in Calabasas. Public transit options are limited - a combination of Metro/Amtrak to Van Nuys and a taxi/ride-hail is possible, but driving is by far the easiest.
Tips for Visiting Malibu Creek State Park #
- Arrive early (before 9am) on weekends to secure parking near the Rock Pool and trailheads.
- Follow signage to the M*A*S*H site and the Rock Pool; the park is a filming location and some spots are easy to miss among chaparral.
- Use the Crags Road trail for a quieter, shaded approach to the Malibu Lake area - saves the crowded Grasslands parking.
Best Time to Visit Malibu Creek State Park #
Spring and fall offer the most comfortable weather and scenery; weekends in summer draw locals and film-location tourists.
Weather & Climate near Malibu Creek State Park #
Malibu Creek State Park's climate is classified as Hot-Summer Mediterranean - Hot-Summer Mediterranean climate with warm summers (peaking in August) and cool winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 6°C to 29°C. Semi-arid with limited rainfall with a pronounced dry season.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 18°C and lows of 6°C. The wettest month with 84 mm of rain.
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February
February is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 7°C. Regular rainfall (80 mm).
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March
March is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 7°C. Moderate rainfall (57 mm).
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April
April is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 8°C. Light rainfall.
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May
May is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 10°C. Almost no rain.
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June
June is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 12°C. Almost no rain.
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July
July is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 14°C. The driest month with just 0 mm.
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August
August is the warmest month with highs of 29°C and lows of 15°C. Almost no rain.
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September
September is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 14°C. Almost no rain.
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October
October is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 12°C. Almost no rain.
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November
November is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (58 mm).
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December
December is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (57 mm).
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