Malibu Creek State Park

About Malibu Creek State Park

Malibu Creek Park is one of California's most popular parks and a popular tourist destination. The park was once used by the Chumash Indians and was their center of life for centuries. From here you have a magnificent view of the San Fernando Valley and the Pacific Ocean. There is a mixture of chaparral - covered slopes, grassy slopes and steep cliffs, as well as a variety of waterfalls and streams.

Century Lake is located on land purchased from Malibu Creek State Park and divided into three parcels owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the National Park Service. Today, the National Park preserves more than 1,000 hectares of the original park and is a paradise for all - for day hikers and picnickers, as it is still used for filming. Rock Pool is the largest and most popular pool in the state of California and one of only a handful of pools in California.

The Malibu Creek Trail runs through the middle of State Park and winds through the park. The creek was dammed up to a smaller lake at the turn of the century, but has since been reopened as a recreational area.

This is an easy, almost level footpath that can be taken from the parking lot of Malibu Creek State Park. If you are in the San Fernando Valley, you can leave the Ventura Freeway (101) and head south on Ventura Boulevard and turn right onto the Santa Monica Boulevard exit. From there, drive 6.5 miles to the intersection of Ventura Blvd and Ventura Avenue and then head north on Santa Ana Boulevard.

Follow the wide fire road from the parking lot and cross the dry stream that runs through it all and follow it to the entrance of Malibu Creek State Park.

Soon the road splits into a highway and a low road, and you reach the intersection and leave it on a short road that crosses the bridge over Malibu Creek. Walk down the shady highway that makes a long, lazy arc to your left as it follows the north bank of Malibu Creek and follow the Gorge Trail. You reach a crossroads, discover the gorge path, follow it and cross the stream to the other side.

Malibu Creek makes a hairpin curve through 400 feet of volcanic rock walls and cascades into the aptly named Rock Pool. It was here that the television series "Tarzan" and the film were shot, as well as many of the movies and television series.

As the road climbs, you will enjoy beautiful views of the valley of Las Virgenes, and when you reach the crest of a hill, you will overlook Century Lake. The winding sedimentary layers of Malibu Creek and volcanic rock walls tell the story of violent geological upheavals that shaped Malibu Canyon.

Return to the path and follow the steps back up the highway, but leave Century Lake behind and return to the gorge.

The lake was dug by a wealthy businessman from the - century, who had a lodge nearby, and you will find the location of the now - distant scenery. You can walk down the Fire Road to Century Lake and party for a day, or return to Crag's the next day and drive back to Malibu Creek.

The striking Goat Buttes Tower above Malibu Creek is featured in the opening image of the episode.

The park is located on the west side of Malibu Creek, south of Century Lake and north of Crag's Lodge.