Malibu Bluffs Park is one of those spots that feels like a little secret even though it's right off…read morePCH. I stopped by on a sunny afternoon and ended up staying way longer than planned. The views alone are worth the visit: wide‑open ocean, Catalina on a clear day, and that classic Malibu coastline stretching forever. The park itself is super clean and well‑kept. There's plenty of open grass for picnics or just laying out, plus a nice walking path where you can wander without feeling rushed. Families were out with kids, a few people were doing yoga, and everyone just seemed relaxed. It has that mellow Malibu vibe without being pretentious. Parking can get a bit tight during peak times, but it's manageable. And even when it's busy, it never feels overcrowded because the space is so open. If you want a peaceful place to unwind, take in the ocean, or just breathe for a minute, Malibu Bluffs Park is an easy win. I'll definitely be back.

I love the culture when growing up my friends, and I used to play Cowboys in Indians. I was always…read morethe Indian nothing but respect.

We went on one of the many trails around here, and it was absolutely stunning! The views on this…read moretrail are breathtaking--definitely worth the effort. It's a loop hike, and we preferred doing it clockwise. This way, the climb felt more gradual at first and gave us those rewarding canyon-top views with the canyon on one side and the ocean on the other. There's also a little waterfall and a lively stream running through the trail (we went in July, and the water was still flowing nicely). Be prepared--the ascent can be quite steep in parts, but the payoff at the top makes it all worth it. Facilities are only available at the trailhead, so plan accordingly. Dogs are allowed, but they should be kept on a leash. Parking is a bit tricky. The lot only seems to hold about 30 ish cars. I would say on the moderate / hard side.

A beautiful hike! I love a good canyon hike, and this one…read morehad some excellent views. No complaints :)

Next time you're driving down PCH in Malibu, especially with a little kiddo in the car, this is a…read morelovely newer park space to check out if you just take a turn up Las Flores Canyon Road. It's peaceful & beautiful in autumn (or any time) with plenty of really nice, creative playground equipment for a kid to enjoy. I just say yes to any place in LA that is quiet & secluded. A bit of history: Over the years, Las Flores Canyon has experienced fire, flooding, and landslides. I'm told by locals that, after a landslide, the City of Malibu bought homes that once stood on this park site. The area was then turned into the park, where native plants and trees abound. It's hoped that migrating Monarch butterflies will be attracted (this I gotta see, camera in hand). In the 90's fires destroyed homes here, leaving only chimneys & foundations. Some of those bricks, etc. were used to make paths for the park. So Las Flores Creek Park would have a lot of stories to tell, if only parks could talk. But wait....be still with nature and maybe they do.....

We needed a quick stop somewhere for our kids to run around between our trek from San Diego to…read moreSanta Barbara. We tried to stop somewhere in LA that looks cool, but there was no parking and waaaaay too many people to leave our car packed with luggage. So I hopped on Yelp to find a new spot that looked away from the city, and this was perfect. It was quiet and beautiful, and its simplicity was very engaging for my kids 5-8years. My husband walked on the paths for a bit and I enjoyed a spot in the sunshine as the majority of the park was shady and a bit chilly! The park and trail is tucked into a neighborhood. The only thing confusing to me was the parking lot. There was two marked spots--one for handicapped and one next to it which said 'no parking' on the ground but there was no sign on the wall in front of the spot. It seemed odd and unnecessary. Why can't people park here in the only other marked spot? Is this parking lot only for people with handicaps? Where is anyone else supposed to park--the curb on the other side that's not marked and not deep enough to be out of the way of someone backing out of the handicapped spot? Other than that, and the dirty bathroom which had what looked like a poop smear on the floor and a pile of liners and crumpled TP blocking the bowl of the women's toilet, this was a great spot to be.

We've all heard of PTSD…read more... You know, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. But have you heard of PDSB?? (I'll break this one down in a bit) Well, if you've read any of my other reviews of the picturesque beaches in Southern California, your PTSD of "here we go again, another review about white sandy beaches, moderate temp. waters and picture perfect sunsets" by Lance L. just might kick in. But bear with me, because this review, you're definitely not gonna want to skip. So what is PDSB you ask? Well Point Dume State Beach of course! Yes, one of Malibu's finest & for good reason too! Sure, when everyone thinks about beaches in Malibu... For those with families, It's usually Zuma Beach, but that's where EVERYBODY goes and because of this, it's ALWAYS packed! And of course, there's where all the surfers go.... Surfrider Beach, hence the name! But Surfrider is for hangin' 10 and you just might get a big stare down by the locals. But Point Dume State Beach or PDSB as I know you will now refer to it is about to be your new favorite. Here's why: A pay lot which sounds like it sucks to have to pay just to go to the beach, but the minimal cost ($6-$15 depending the season) is worth it. The lot is literally parallel to the beach and once you park, you are right on the sand! In addition, Point Dume State Beach, although smaller than Zuma is pretty decent because it's not as well known about so you will definitely find a place to plant that umbrella and set up your beach towel to watch the kids play, throw a football around or work on your tan lines. As far as Safety, Not only is lifeguard towers right on the sand, but a lifeguard headquarters office is also onsite, so if something goes south, help is very nearby. Point Dume State Beach does have fairly maintained, public restrooms that's are serviced regularly by the beaches and harbors maintenance team as well as a few porta-potties onsite for use. The beaches themselves are clean and do not have a lot of trash, debris or tar like some of the beaches that I've been to up North on the Ventura County Side (Oxnard & Ventura beaches). And the best part, some of the best sunsets you can catch on this part of the coastline. Besides the actual beach, you can actually hike from the beach side itself up the Point Dume hiking trail to get an even better view or jump off the cliff if you dare. But.... Please, Please, Just make sure you are a solid swimmer if you are a real swimmer thrill seeker as the water near the cliff is rocky and the currents are very unforgiving. There are always calls for service where Lifeguards, Firefighters and the Sheriff's department are on scene performing rescues, but unfortunately, sometimes are unsuccessful and people have tragically drowned. So maybe leave the Olympic style diving into the Big Blue to the pros. And now that you probably have actual PTSD from me telling you how you could actually die if you aren't careful.... Maybe just shake it off and get some PDSB instead and enjoy the Best of Malibu from the safety of your seat right on the sand! "Life's a Beach, Enjoy it!"

Love this beach. Parking is fairly easy and I feel like it's not a beach that's gets overwhelmingly…read morepacked so it's enjoyable. Waves were coming up high n knocked me over but it felt good once drying off in the sun lol. Made some sandwiches that were so delicious!! Just a great vibe on a Sunday when it's sunny!

Amazing hike. Been doing this one for a few years now. Only did the full loop once because we lazy…read more Parking is paid with Porto potties. Or you can park on pch right next to the Malibu seafood place for free. If you come before 9 you should be ok. Make sure you have a front license plate!! We got a ticket once for not having one.. crazy. Very dog friendly hike, lots of hills so it's not easy, well marked trails. We like going right for everything. There's a small stream crossing due to all the rain so it's possible your feet may get wet and the dogs will be filthy. Make sure you give them flea and tick medicine! We went on February thinking it was ok, cold rainy... came home and there was a tick on my dogs ear!! Fun hike overall! Trail just keeps going up so you don't get that gratification until you make it to the tip for the whole loop

Beautiful hike! You can't beat the views!…read more I wanted to check Corral Canyon for a while in Malibu and went recently for my birthday. We parked on the PCH passed Malibu Seafood (watch where you park, cops are serious in this area, they were hunting to give tickets to people when we went!). We walked into Malibu Seafood parking lot, there is a sign and you start a hike. You can check various trails, we stayed on the main path, which is tight and there is vegetation on both sides, so long pants are important as is sunscreen and water due to lack of shade. There weren't too many people, the views are incredible, the Pacific ocean shines in the horizon and Malibu coastline is gorgeous. We saw a few hawks flying above. We stayed on the trail, the chimney comes up fast, then kept going for a while and we did take a left at the fork and the views got better and better! Whatever trail you take, you won't get lost since this is a loop. Around 2 miles hike, not easy, but not strenuous, I'd call it moderate, good exercise, but not too hard. I can't take the images of the view out of my head. I'd do the hike it again in a heartbeat! It was a great way to spend my birthday! And of coursed we rewarded ourselves at Malibu Seafood with a nice meal since this b-day girl deserved it with the hike and all!

As I mentioned in my last review, I am going to focus on beauty, light, peace, and joy in the…read moreremaining weeks of 2026, because I think, given all that is going on currently I, and perhaps you, need it. Attached are pictures I took with my full frame cameras when I was using them to capture the best of Los Angeles, as an amateur photographer. They represent my vision of what I experienced at The Japanese Garden. When Dr. Kawana, a renowned architect who designed over a dozen major Japanese gardens in the United States, planned this particular garden to take advantage of an adjacent water processing facility , he wanted to create surprise and peace in people as they entered and moved around the garden. That surprise around every corner is what one experiences as we follow the path laid out to take the sojourner from the beginning to the end, which is really completing a circle. Each part of the gardens has a different design, purpose and meaning and all of it is symbolic, reflecting the great gardens of 18th and 19th century Japan, belonging primarily to the aristocracy. Now we ordinary folks can enjoy the serenity that was once reserved for the very few. Walking purposely and meditatively through an oasis like this is called Kinhin. Plan to circumnavigate the property slowly. For a mere few dollars, you can spend a quiet morning or afternoon re-charging, right in the middle of the urban fray that is Los Angeles. These grounds are a feast for the soul, through the five senses. Don't miss it.

This 6.5 acre lush Japanese garden is unlike any other garden you'll ever visit…read more Conceived by engineer Donald C. Tillman and designed by UCLA professor Dr. Koichi Kawana, it opened in 1984 with a message in mind- recycled waste water can sustain new life. The result was a landscape of lotus and ponds, home to wildlife from mosquito fish to egrets. Meanwhile in the backdrop, pumps as wide as 8 feet in diameter are elevating sewage to be treated. The crowd was sparse on a weekday, ideal for a leisurely stroll. From the Shoin Building, a series of screen windows look out into the vast garden. It's an opportunity for rest and reflection. Operating hours are 9:30 am to 3:30 pm M-Th and one Sunday a month. Admission is $5 per adult. Restrooms, including gender neutral ones, are behind the Shoin Building. No filming allowed of any kind without a FilmLA permit, even on a phone for personal use. Seems overly restrictive by modern standards. Photos are fine if not posed/professional. This lush Japanese garden is fed by 6 million gallons of reclaimed water a day, making it unlike any other. You wouldn't know by looking at it, and that's the beauty.

Consider this hike when you need a fun, low-impact, and nature-ous experience! However, parking is…read morequite aways from the actual entrance; there are some hills and dips, but it is a great full body workout for everyone and anyone. The waterfall at the end of the hike is so pretty and it has a bench for you and others to enjoy the view.

Place is open. Fun hour of walking and hiking. Parking is the only issue as you have to park down…read moreoff of PCH unless you get one of the lot spots. Watch out for parking in no parking zones. Saw cars being ticketed. The walk wise, I counted 4 light easy streams you have to walk through on branches and rocks. The trail is fairly easy and moderate to do. About 30min to get down to waterfall. Fun way to spend time with family.

Highly recommend this park. Nowadays it is very hard to find a clean park here in LA with zero…read morehomeless / ppl doing drugs everywhere! This park is super clean, private, and overall a great place to enjoy with your little ones, have picnics or do some outdoor exercises.

This is one of the best parks around, clean, big, and lots for the little ones to do.read more

I can only speak to the last few years... and my pup has not had issues with the gravel but that…read moreearlier review is heartbreaking and I'm sorry they experienced it. I suspect they replaced the ground material in the park. I discovered this park before DogPPL but now that we can't get to DogPPL because of the road closures. we are back at free Trancas! I love it because it's huge. However, there is no delineation between large and small, it's one giant park. It's way out by Trancas and just a quick drive up into the canyon from the Vintage Grocer, another store I love! So you can pop in at the vintage grocer and grab some snacks for yourself or after you get finished with the dog park you can swing down there and stop at one of the restaurants. I know Kristy's is located in the center now as well as the brewery. The location of the dog park is impressively scenic as far as dog parks go. There are canyon and ocean views. The restrooms are generally pretty clean; they've never been filthy even though they are ranger maintained public facilities. There's a really cute little kids playground that has the squishy ground, which feels so nice to walk on and then of course the gigantic soccer field. There's plenty of free parking and it's never been crowded. I have had some negative dog encounters here because it is so quiet people will sometimes bring less than fully socialized dogs here. So you have to be cautious and monitor your dog if they're not in the park alone. But that's any dog park. And as a dog owner, we owe it to our pups to monitor them. There's no cell phone service here at least for me with AT&T, but I do love the ocean views. It's really a great dog park. The picnic table is in the shade always helps us beat the heat. And although my dog doesn't jump over the little rails or going to the red tunnel, he loves that there's chaparral on the hill that he can go pee and sniff, and he loves all the trees in the park and the positioned rocks within the park. They're fun little obstacles for him and I to play hide and seek

Trancas Canyon Park is a quiet, well‑maintained green space tucked away above Pacific Coast…read moreHighway. It balances scenic beauty with family‑friendly amenities. It's popular among locals for its peaceful atmosphere, views of the hills and ocean, and a place where kids, dogs, and adults can all relax. Perfect spot to have a picnic with no loud noises. Very calm peaceful park.

Point Mugu State Park includes the famous Point Mugu (Mugu comes from the Chumash word for…read more"beach"), sand dunes, five miles of coastline and seventy miles of hiking trails. Pt. Mugu was the site of the largest Chumash settlement in the Santa Monica Mountains and I can see why. The beaches are stunning, creeks run throughout the land of lush chaparral and sycamore trees with abundant wildlife. There are several campgrounds, some along the beach and some inland; seems that reservations are required for the camp sites. If you'd like to visit just for the day, the California State Park Library Pass is accepted here! A beautiful location for all ages.

Easily one of my favorite beaches in California…read more This intimate beach is extra unique due to its rock formations and large trees. It's a perfect hybrid of park/beach. They also have every amenity you could need for a perfect afternoon: bathrooms, bonfire pits, picnic tables, showers, etc. I especially love that this beach is dog friendly as long as your pet stays on leash. It's connected to a nearby campground, making it the perfect place for a quick summer getaway with friends.