This lovely park in Malibu offers plentiful picnic tables, free parking and admission as of this writing, and, best of all, great trails with ocean views. Visiting on a weekday, you probably won't find many people, which is wonderful. The trails are well-maintained and well-marked. A wide variety of native plants can be found in the chaparral and quite a few were blooming in September. An absolutely stunning wilderness park for the whole family. read more

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Fantastic views of the coastline from most of the trails that are well maintained. I've seen a lot of rattle snakes here so don't let your dogs stray into the bushes and watch the trails. I've seen at least 5 just hanging out in the middle of the trails - they blend in very well. There is parking in one of the two lots and there is a restroom that is very clean. Near the parking lots is a nice picnic table area with incredible views of the coast (as long as its not overcast). One of my favorite places to hike in Malibu! Also, there is no cell phone reception here so plan accordingly! read more

I went recently and the gates opened at 9am (not 8am). There are 2 parking lots inside the park which fill up quickly, but street parking is possible. We did the ocean overlook trail, which is a loop. We enjoyed going counterclockwise because we got an ocean view for most of the trail. The trail is nicely maintained while feeling like we are surrounded by nature. Near the parking lots is a restroom facility which was clean, had toilet paper, and had hand soup. Near this area are many picnic tables as well. One thing to note: there is no reception here whatsoever. read more

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Great trails along the Malibu coast. Easy to find and a good amount of parking. The trails were so nice and scenic. The ocean views are truly gorgeous from this trail. I was even able to see mist from whale spouts as they swam in the ocean, that was pretty special! I did run into a few rattlesnakes, but they were doing their own thing and left us alone. I did take Twinkle with me (leashed dogs are allowed), and she had a blast. Pack your water and sunscreen! 4 stars because the signage for the trails was a bit confusing and unclear. Otherwise, I highly recommend this place for a day hike! read more

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This has to be one of my favorite hikes of all times!!! Let me tell you why. Starting in the beginning, there's a large sign indicating the entrance to the park. Road leads to two parking lots and we got lucky, to find a space as on the weekends, those lots could fill up easily. There's a posted map of the area as you begin, although a quick glance and we were on our way. Within 30 minutes of being on the trail, we were looking at the most gorgeous wildflowers with views of the ocean. The air was clean, fresh and clear. The trails aren't difficult although in places, it was rocky with hills and valleys. We did see a 3 foot rattler slithering in to the brush, so just keep your eyes open and stay on the trails. Keep a close watch on your dogs if you take them and your children if they run up ahead. Bathrooms are clean with soap, running water, and automatic flush toilets at the start of the trails. Hope you enjoy this paradise as much as we did. Looking forward to returning very soon. read more

IT'S BACK AND BETTER THAN EVER! Following the Woolsey Fire of 2018, the PTB (powers that be) ROCKED the reopening of this groovy little trail system with a lotta love and care going into it. Newer, better-marked trails abound. The parking and picnic areas are wonderful. Fresh, clean bathroom facilities and abundant trash/recycling receptacles at the welcome area. NO FEE FOR PARKING or PARK ENTRY. ALL TRAILS ARE OPEN. (despite being marked to the contrary) This is and always was a VERY EASY HIKE. It was so nice to be back on this loopy little Malibu Hills trail...to start, we headed South/East working the trail that direction all the way to the beach/PCH overlook. Then, we continued up (North/West) to the (now dried up) RESERVOIR - and finally to the CLYDE CYN LOOP - which eventually circles back around to the main entrance after about an hour and fifteen minute hike - without stopping. I can't say enough about this little gem. Thank the PTB for (the) TCB! LOVE IT. read more

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Such a great hidden gem. I came here with my parents, and like others have mentioned, it's a great hike/walk even for those who aren't normally the type to go hiking (like my parents). There are a bunch of different trails and paths for everyone. It's nice to get a breath of fresh air and the best part is that this place isn't overly crowded unlike other places. If you get here early enough, you'll have plenty of trails all to yourself without other people in sight. Given my parents aren't in the best shape to do miles of hiking, we kept it to something doable for them by walking down to the old "reservoir" towards the end of the trail where you can get a great view of both the ocean and Malibu in the distance. We went back out the same way, and only took an hour total at a very leisurely walking pace. Best part of all is that there are restrooms here that are very well maintained, with seat liners, toilet paper, soap and towels. Couldn't ask for more after a hike. read more

Charmlee Wilderness Park - At the reservoir overlook - Parks Near Me - Malibu, California

Beautiful park, as of today parking is free, gate open at 8 am on Sunday so don't come before that, clean flush toilet, dog friendly. There are different trails but not too difficult and the view at the top is incredible, total 8 miles of trails but you can do short 2.6 miles to get to the top, plenty of wild flowers right now, trails have no shade, saw two coyotes staring at us so be careful if you have dogs. read more

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Love this hike, its super easy with beautiful views. It wasn't busy at all when I went and everyone who was there kept a safe distance from other hiking groups. The difficulty level is probably level one or two. It's more scenic but I absolutely loved it. Nice views, fresh air and there was plenty of parking for me. I took my dog and its dog friendly trails but I was told to be careful of coyotes roaming around. We didn't have an issue though! The trail does kind of a loop but the trail that goes towards the left to the reservoir has beautiful views of the ocean. But most of the trail itself has gorgeous ocean views! Great trail for scenic walk with family also as its easy for elderly and kids! read more

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I decided to drive down this highway/ park after many of my friends talking about its beautiful views. I was driving from SouthBay area so it took roughly about an hour and half to get there. Once driving down 23 freeway, you start noticing the vineyards around the park, the beautiful green mountains and clear sky's. There a couple of fruit stops where you can purchase fruits and sometimes wine from vineyards. I decided to stop and take a few picture of the shiny blue ocean in front of me. The views are breathtaking!!!! It was nice that parts of this park were open to get away from being stuff at home in a very safe way during quarantine. I strong recommend to do a picnic or just to show someone that may not be from California. Definitely recommend this place. read more

Charmlee Wilderness Park - Nearby PCH - Parks Near Me - Malibu, California

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This little park is a hidden gem!! I'll be honest, I was a little concerned & focused on the signs that mentioned high counts of ticks (not in those exact words, but it's there).....Really you just have to exercise caution and wear long pants & tuck them in socks. I'd also bring bug repellent because there were quite a bugs, other than that....it was magnificent!!! Gorgeous ocean views, lots of trails to venture to and make it as longer or shorter as you want. Very clean and well kept. Some trails filled w/lots of shade and others out in the open, but still you right by the ocean and it's not as hot. There were some points of the trail that did get confusing, but doable. Parking (this being weekday) was plentiful, however there was mention of parking fee of $4, but didn't see the box where we are suppose to put it. Definitely look for it the next time, I don't have a problem paying, but a problem finding the box to insert cash. It's definitely worth paying to keeping the park well maintained and open. There's a picnic area, clean bathrooms & it's shaded in that area. Views again.....stunning, breathtaking & heck yeah...amazing!!! It's a little hidden & seems hard to get to but not really, just not knowing where your going. Do be cautious of wildlife...we heard rattlers & coyotes and saw leaves that where questionable wondering if poisonous. Again a great little treasure to go to in this area!!! read more

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This place is simply beautiful; SoCal at its finest. It would be a great location to bring out-of-town guests. A much better choice over other crowded popular tourist locations. The trails are level and easily accessible for both old and young. Similarly, it would also be an ideal site for a marriage proposal. I can just envision at sunset, descending onto one knee, at the edge of the coastal bluff with the ocean view in the background; it doesn't get much better than that. The day I visited everything was green from recent rains. The long grassy meadow swayed in the wind, shimmering in the sunlight. There are 8 miles of intersecting hiking trails that let you customize your hike to fit your need. You can also climb rock formations and locate ruins of a Ranch House, an old well and a reservoir. The park is dog friendly. Parking is $4. There's a nature center that was unfortunately closed the day I visited. I also highly recommend visiting the nearby Malibu Café. It's a dog friendly place and a great place to grab a bite when you're done. read more

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This park and the hike with views it offers deserves way more than 5 stars. It's one of my very favorites. You have to drive over an hour on PCH to get here from LA, but do it, do it, do it! Also, bring a picnic basket with you. I did that once. A friend and I hiked for three hours on the trails, came back and sat at a picnic table, munching on cheese & crackers and fruit. It was glorious! Best time to come here is the spring when there are flowers, certainly. But even when I visited recently with a friend when it was dry out, it was still worth the drive and effort. The views of the ocean are stunning on a sunny day and we definitely got a workout. It's not at all a difficult hike or varied in terrain much, so don't expect waterfalls, caves, or even much shade. But there is a little forest you can pass through and again...views, views, views. Plus, it's well maintained and so incredibly peaceful. Bring one dollar bills for parking ($4). The lot is large but it did fill up by the time my friend and I left. Best to come early, which is true of any hike in southern California. I highly recommend Charmlee. read more

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This review is for 10/8/2011. It has been a couple months since my good buddy and I did a hike in Los Angeles County. With a lot of time on my hands, it was good reason to restart the hiking venture. The problem was where to go. The common place amongst our top 3 location was Malibu. We decided to head on over to Charmlee Wilderness Park. We had planned to go to Escondido Canyon Trails about a week before, but the one turnoff was the parking and the overcrowding. I have a big truck and parallel parking was not an option. Charmlee was never on our original list, but it had a big plus...It was quiet. We arrived at Charmlee Wilderness Park at 12:10pm. There is no Ranger or some booth to pay your fee, but don't bet you don't have to pay. There is a $4 Parking Fee on a sort of honor system. Once you park, you grab an envelope and place your money in and put your License Plate Number with the green ticket on your dashboard. It is better to be safe than sorry. I didn't pay initially, but when I returned after the hike, there was a purple notice saying to pay the $4 Fee. So, I paid just to be safe than to receive some fine from the City of Malibu. There are picnic tables and restrooms in the beginning of the lot. I suggest you use it before going on the hike. Some places these amenities aren't even offered. I picked up a map which is NOT TO SCALE, but its definitely helpful. I have uploaded the map for your reference. You have different routes to take, but its all wonderful routes depending on the intensity of how you took that route. There is one route you should avoid that is not on the map. Its hard to explain, but if you see construction trucks, then you are reaching a dead end and the fight to return back up is going to be a pain. The hike overall was about two hours with the constant stops and me panting so much that I ran for hours, but only ran out of gas up the hill. I can mark this off my books and say that I have hiked my third place in Los Angeles. I still got a lot of places to take off my bucket list. Any suggestions on where to hike next for a beginner? Please don't give me anything on EXPERT LEVEL...Not yet anyways. The Yelp Universe. Where are you traveling today? read more

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Sandstone Outcroppings, Majestic Oaks, Fields of Thigh-High Grass and Wildlife . . . lot's of it, all framed by the Pacific Ocean. This is rustic, golden, sage-scented California at it's best. I like to take the Botany Trail to the Fire Ecology Trail and then back through the meadow because of the diversity of plants and animals. Most trails are under a mile and almost every trail you take leads you to sweeping views of Malibu and the coast. We take our five year-old daughter here, and she loves it! Plenty of well established trails that are relatively easy on young and old feet alike. No ticks, mountain lions or rattlesnakes yet, but with out a doubt . . . they are here! Wear protective clothing and always stay on the trails. At 2 PM on a recent Sunday in June, there was only one other vehicle in the parking lot. Charmlee has several picnic areas close to the entrance and Malibu is a short drive down to either cool your feet off in the ocean, or grab a bite to eat. The park also offers full moon hikes, twilight marshmallow hikes, wildflower hikes, etc. Maps are available, and parking is $4.00 read more

Charmlee Wilderness Park - Parks Near Me - Malibu, California

Lots of different paths, no signs, none pointing to the direction of the one with the view over-looking the coast. After an hour and 1/2 circling around I decided to leave. Level of difficulty is a 2. The plus is coming early there's ample parking, free. I got a great view of the coast heading down the mountain and pulled over! read more

I've hiked all over Malibu, West L.A. and Hollywood and by far still love Charmlee best. It's a great hike for all levels and the vistas are incredible. There is tons of wildlife from rabbits to deer. The trails go from fire roads to foot paths. Great for picnics followed by a hike or the other way around. The blossoms in the spring are second to none. I promise, you'll love Charmlee for your next hike. See their website at: http://www.ci.malibu.ca.us/index.cfm/fuseaction/DetailGroup/CID/3801/NavID/174/ You can also download a trail map, see pictures of the picnic area, ampitheater, and find out more about their Full Moon Night Hikes, the wildlife, and docent-led hikes. read more

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My friends and I made our way out to Malibu this past weekend (MLK holiday) to explore Charmlee Wilderness Park. It took us about an hour or more to find the place because Google Map lead us to a private road that was chained up so we had to find another route to get to the park's parking lot. There is a sign that said "Charmlee Wilderness Park" on Encinal Canyon Rd. Just turn into that driveway and you will eventually find a small parking lot (which I learned afterwards that you have to pay $4) This park has a lot of trails so be an explorer and be adventurous. Keep in mind, if you pick all the downhill trails, you're going to eventually have to hike uphill on the way back (when you're more tired...) That's what happened to my group. There are occasional people riding their horses or walking their dogs so keep an eye out for them. The view towards the ocean was pretty but it wasn't breathtaking in my opinion. It was just nice to get some (sorta) fresh air and burn some calories. read more

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This is a hike with amazing ocean views. I went in the spring with a friend and I wish I had worn more layers and a wind proof jacket. I forget sometimes how cold and windy it gets when your hiking in the late afternoon. read more

I love these trails, they are very beautiful, but a couple of things to note from my latest visit on 3/23/19. The park was officially closed with the gates to the parking area locked. A few cars had parked in front of the gates and walked in apparently, so me and my friends did the same. With the recent rains there was grass and wildflowers everywhere, but also a lot of burn damage from the recent fires. Many of the trees were burnt down to almost nothing and the picnic area looks like many of the tables were burnt as well and not yet replaced. The trails themselves have debris from fallen burnt trees and branches and some of the trails look like the rain has washed away some of the dirt, making them uneven. Still, it was beautiful. Not sure if it was officially closed because of the fire destruction or because of recent rains, but either way, I would go cautiously, especially if it has rained recently. read more

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Beautiful hiking trails with not much shade though, however, the view of the Zuma Beach is breathtaking. I went last week and it was extremely sunny and hot, with they're few trees where we hiked, so I was burning up but the view made it all worth it. read more

Charmlee Wilderness Park - The only shade area we encountered so had to take a picture of this beautiful scene ! - Parks Near Me - Malibu, California

This is a fabulous spot if you're looking for low intensity hiking, beautiful Pacific Ocean views, and something much less crowded than other trails near LA or Santa Barbara. I spent a gorgeous Sunday afternoon recently with a group of friends and everyone had a blast. The level of exercise is not so intense that you struggle to hold a social conversation at the same time. Though if you or anyone you're with is an experienced hiker and enjoys a challenge, this is probably not for them. Helpful tip: wear loose fitting, breathable long pants. Some parts of the trails get a bit narrow and with just shorts your legs could get scraped up pretty quickly with all the shrubs and overgrown bushes. The views are truly spectacular, and they have that quintessential Southern California vibe to them with cool ocean breezes, big blue sky, and rolling hills. There are a few small groves of trees that the trails pass through which provide a nice mix of scenery and some helpful shade as well. Pack plenty of water and snacks. Though be advised that there are not a lot of convenient places for a picnic. It's more of a snack while you walk situation. read more

What a gem! This just became one of my favorite places! If you are looking for a challenging hike, this is not it. There are PLENTY of trails here and they are all under a mile. Very easy trails, not challenging. But this place offers beautiful views and it's a great place to take a stroll. Good for children, but not strollers (due to dirt and rocks here and there). First off, the parking here has a fee of $4.00 and it is CASH ONLY. The way it works: You get an envelope found in the front of the lot, you put the days date, your license plate number, and money inside. You place the envelope inside a box and the top part of the envelope goes on your cars dashboard. There are not a lot of parking spaces available, so be sure to get here early, it gets quite packed in the late morning/afternoon. There are spots before you get to the parking lot (like in the street) but don't be an asshole and block the driveway/roadway. So when you begin the trail it has TWO entrances. The one on the left side leads you to trails that go directly to the beautiful view of the ocean. The one on the right side leads to the mountain/green/tree views. Both beautiful and worth exploring! When you take the left side trail it will lead to two more trails. Carmichael and Russell. They both will give you a beautiful view of the coast. read more

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Hands down my favorite trail I've done so far. It's more of a walk than a hike. I would call it an easy hike. Very expansive, and you're literally at the edge with the most expansive view of the ocean I've yet to see on a trail in SoCal. There are benches and rocks you can sit on to relax and just enjoy the view. I went during the drier season, and it was still gorgeous. It was like a golden meadow with a trail that leads to the ocean. And it was very quiet and not many people. It's a perfect spot for a date or a quiet retreat. Parking is cash or check for $7. No waterfall. Heads up, I just went again last week and it was closed due to hazardous conditions. So make sure it's open before you drive all the way up. read more

An easy hike full of wonderful coastal views. So many trails that it's hard to pick just one. Plenty of opportunities to sit and enjoy a nice lunch - you'll need it after your long hike. Great spots for photo ops. read more

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If you are looking for a long challenging hike ... this is not the place. Its a spider web of short trails that lead out to some of the best views in Malibu. Great place to go for a little stroll and relax. read more

Charmlee Wilderness Park - Parks Near Me - Malibu, California

Beautiful area with fantastic views. The recent rains brought a lot of vegetative growth--so must visit before the heat settles in again!

An EASY hike good for beginners and seasoned hikers alike. I came her recently with a few gal pals (One who had never been hiking before). Plenty of parking in the lot. Bring cash ($4) as you do have to pay. Follow the signs for payment process and you will be fine. There are super well kept restrooms here as well which is a huge bonus. If you are planning on doing the loop trail, I suggest you download the All Trails app and find this hike prior to starting. You can download the trail map and the gps will show you where you are on the loop (or if you got off the path somehow) while you hike- even with limited cell service. The trails at this park are trafficked by horses, so keep that in mind for busy days. Round trip the loop trail is a little over a 3 mile hike but it is super easy. The hardest part was near the end for us, but it was relative incline. Beautiful coastal and Mountain View's throughout the hike. Highly recommend. read more

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Sigi the dog just loves to poop here. Uh oh. This secret park is not listed yet, so I hope I'm not ruining it but here goes: Charmlee Wilderness Park covers 532 acres of the rugged, wild and beautiful Santa Monica Mountains Coastal Slope environment. The park includes picnic areas and 8 miles of hiking trails, native plant displays and a nature center. The walks are moderate and beautiful, heading from mature stands of oak to cliffs overlooking the PCH and the ocean. The brochure has a teensy disclaimer stating that Charmlee IS a wilderness park, and you may encounter mountain lions, rattlesnakes and ticks, in addition to California's state flower, poison oak. Man are they not kidding! So far we have encountered everything except for mountain lions but being stalked by some yipping coyotes made up for it. We mainly go here in Fall/Winter because of the hungry and insidious ticks, but when the weather gets cooler they hibernate so it's OK. Spring however, is absolutely beautiful, with acres and acres and acres of wildflowers. If you must go in Spring or Summer stick to the wide trails and whatever you do DON'T brush against any bushes or trees overhead. We've found ticks on us and the dogs, but none latched on, and we still keep coming because this place is just stunning. Secretly I hope I've scared off most of you, but for those of you that still want to check it out email me and I'll tell you all about the time I tripped over a rattlesnake. Charmlee is wild, wild California as it used to be, despite the $4 parking fee (or $40 for the year). read more

Charmlee Wilderness Park - Beeeeyoooteeeful Charmlee - Parks Near Me - Malibu, California

Absolutely beautiful hike, but first time visitors should remember, it is a *wilderness* park and you will encounter wildlife. I was solo hiking with my dog here recently and we were stalked by a pack of 4-5 coyotes in broad daylight, and the pack was approaching my 55lb dog. I've seen plenty of coyotes hunting at sunset at Charmlee before, but never spotted a pack in broad daylight until this occasion. Obviously, we are entering their territory-- just something to be aware of if you're hiking alone or with small pets/children. Make sure you know how to stay safe if coyotes approach (make loud noises, make yourself as big as possible, make eye contact with the coyote, back away slowly but don't run away), and keep an eye out for rattlesnakes on the trails in the afternoon. Otherwise, a beautiful hike & amazing opportunity to be immersed in nature (just be aware of your surroundings!) read more

A haiku review: Real nice hiking trails Get away from the city Views galore, so great read more

My favorite SoCal hike and mountain bike ride. Beautiful views and easy enough for beginners but w options to make challenging enough for intermediates. read more

Charmlee Wilderness Park - Parks Near Me - Malibu, California

Super Super nice view. Varieties of hiking trails to choose. If you want to feel the mountain hiking with ocean breeze, this is the place. read more

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Love this little area! Dog friendly. Great area for picnics. Clean bathrooms. Plenty of water from the water fountains. Pretty secluded. We enjoyed this area for a picnic and then went on a little hike with our dog. There were a lot of bugs in the area but otherwise, we really liked it. There seems to be some sort of fee for the parking but there is no sign saying how much. They just had a little box with envelopes you can place money in. I have seen previous yelpers say it is 4 bucks. They also seem to have varying activities throughout the year which look intriguing. The views are beautiful from the picnic area. The hike is a bit sunny so it may be better earlier in the morning or on a cooler day. read more

Very Nice. Great views of the ocean at the end of the hike, if I have time, I'll post some pics. $4 parking fee in a little envelope will allow you to park very close to the start of the trail. GPS took us the long way around to get here, but still worth it. Cheers! PS Beware of the poison oak, big ants and possibly coyotes and rattlesnakes! read more

A hidden gem of hiking trails through the Santa Monica mountains. High above Malibu, Charmlee Wilderness Park offers breathtaking, awe-inspiring scenic views of the Pacific Ocean as well as the beautiful surroundings of nature... colorful wildflowers, gigantic, towering trees, asymmetrical rock formations, geckos galore and even a gopher snake sitting. Enjoy a hike on a breezy day, close your eyes, and let nature sing you a peaceful song. read more

I was so devastated from the fires at this park. There was a veteran who used to live near the park - I hope he's ok. He would walk at the park with his dogs. the parking lot was closed when I visited the park recently, but I was able to park outside and still complete my hike. Please do not fucking smoke pot or cigarettes. Don't be a moron. Grow up. read more

Awesome little hike. Nothing too strenuous, incredible views of the ocean, extremely peaceful AND dog friendly! I didn't realize you had to pay for parking, will make sure to have cash on me next time. There are picnic tables so you can enjoy a lunch and I bet the sunsets here are out of this world. Will definitely be coming back for more hiking here. read more

Located in the hills above Malibu, Charmlee Wilderness Park is probably best in the spring, when its meadows come alive with wildflowers. However, the ocean views and groves of oaks can be enjoyed year round. The park has a variety of hiking trails that frame the meadow. Unfortunately, if there's one drawback it's that the layout can be a little confusing, and the signs aren't always clear. If you're looking to hike a particular route, you might find it tricky to follow, but if you have plenty of time and don't mind wandering a little bit, you're sure to enjoy yourself. It's possible to piece together a fairly decent workout with all of the trails here, but some visitors might just want to take leisurely stroll or have a picnic in the shade. read more

I've hiked this trail twice now. The overlooks are really great for beautiful ocean views in Malibu. It also has great wooded areas and trees. The meadow was dried up on this last hike so no wild flowers like it said in my hiking book for February. The different trails can be a little confusing, but it can also be fun to explore the different ones and you are never far from parking. read more

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