Malibu Creek State ParkAbout Malibu Creek State Park
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.
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.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | 6° - 18° | 12° | 84 mm | - | - | 3.4 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | 7° - 18° | 13° | 80 mm | - | - | 3.7 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | 7° - 19° | 13° | 57 mm | - | - | 3.9 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | 8° - 21° | 15° | 25 mm | - | - | 4.1 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 10° - 22° | 16° | 3 mm | - | - | 4.0 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 12° - 24° | 18° | 1 mm | - | - | 3.8 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 14° - 28° | 21° | 0 mm | - | - | 3.6 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 15° - 29° | 22° | 2 mm | - | - | 3.5 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 15° - 28° | 21° | 5 mm | - | - | 3.4 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 12° - 26° | 19° | 6 mm | - | - | 3.2 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | 8° - 21° | 15° | 58 mm | - | - | 3.4 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | 6° - 19° | 12° | 57 mm | - | - | 3.3 m/s | - | - |
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.