Location: Malibu Creek State Park
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Hey AV explorers, Thomas here with a day trip that pulls you west toward the coast – roughly an hour from the Antelope Valley – into one of the most surprisingly wild green spaces in all of Los Angeles County. Malibu Creek State Park sprawls across nearly 8,000 acres of oak woodland, volcanic rock formations, and a reed-lined creek that honestly feels like it belongs in Northern California. The elevation keeps it noticeably cooler than the valley, and the scenery has tricked more than a few visitors into forgetting they’re still inside the greater LA area.
And here’s the big news for this week: the lake was just recently stocked. If you’ve been waiting for the right excuse to dust off that rod and reel, this is it. Whether you’re casting from the shoreline or renting a pedal boat and drifting to your favorite spot, the fishing right now is as good as it gets up there.
Hikers, swimmers, and film buffs all have a reason to show up. The Rock Pool – a natural swimming hole carved into the volcanic gorge – is one of the most iconic spots in the entire Santa Monica Mountains, and it’s worth the 2-mile walk in even on a warm day. History lovers will recognize the main meadow as the filming location for M*A*S*H, with the rusted hulks of old set vehicles still sitting right where the show left them. Trails range from flat creek-side strolls to steep ridge climbs with sweeping ocean views. Plan on a full day – this place rewards the people who take their time.
Making it a Full Day:
When you’re ready to refuel, the surrounding area delivers. Malibu Café at Calamigos Ranch sits right on Mulholland Highway just minutes from the park entrance, a relaxed, tree-shaded patio restaurant with wood-fired dishes and a farm-to-table menu that hits differently after a morning on the trail.
For a classic pre-hike breakfast, Howdy’s Taqueria in Calabasas opens early and serves hearty burritos and breakfast tacos that will carry you through the whole day. On the drive back toward the valley, a stop at Old Place on Cornell Road is well worth the detour, a legendary roadhouse tucked in the oak trees with aged steaks, cold beers, and a character that no newer spot can fake.
Thomas’s Local Tips:
- 🏊 The Rock Pool is the main event – but go on a weekday if at all possible. Weekend crowds turn the trail into a parade and the pool itself gets wall-to-wall by midday. Arrive before 8 AM on Saturdays to claim your spot on the rocks.
- 🎬 Don’t skip the M*A*S*H site – It’s only a short detour off the main trail and the rusted jeeps and truck carcasses sitting in the tall grass are genuinely eerie and cool – a quick history lesson hiding inside a nature hike.
- 🥾 For a bigger day – continue past the Rock Pool up to Bulldog Motorway and push to Castro Peak – the ridge views toward the ocean are stunning and most casual visitors never make it that far, so the trail thins out considerably.
- 🌊 Creek levels vary with the season – Spring and early summer typically offer the best swimming conditions at the Rock Pool. By late summer it can drop significantly, check recent trail reports before making it the centerpiece of your trip.
- 🚗 Parking fills fast – Rangers do ticket overflow cars on Mulholland. Get there early or use the overflow lot on Las Virgenes Road and walk in, it adds maybe 10 minutes and saves the headache every single time.
Nature’s calling, it’s time to pick up… See you out there!
