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Malibu Creek State Park
Malibu creek1.jpg
Malibu Creek State Park, with the Goat Buttes in the background
Malibu Creek State Park is located in California
Malibu Creek State Park
Malibu Creek State Park
Location in California
Malibu Creek State Park is located in the United States
Malibu Creek State Park
Malibu Creek State Park
Location in the United States
Location Los Angeles County, California, USA
Nearest city Calabasas, California
Area 8,215 acres (33.24 km2)
Established 1974
Governing body California Department of Parks and Recreation

Malibu Creek State Park is an amazing state park in California, United States. It protects the beautiful canyon of Malibu Creek within the Santa Monica Mountains. This huge park is about 8,215 acres in size. It was created in 1974 and opened to visitors in 1976. The park is also part of the larger Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.

Exploring Malibu Creek State Park

Malibu Creek State Park stretches from near Malibou Lake in the west. It goes all the way to Piuma Road in the east. The park follows Malibu Creek down to the Pacific Ocean. It even includes the Adamson House and where the creek meets the ocean at Malibu Lagoon. Tapia Park also recently became part of this state park.

The park has three special nature areas. These are the 730-acre Liberty Canyon, the 300-acre Udell Gorge, and the 1,920-acre Kaslow Preserve. These areas help protect the natural environment.

A Look Back: History of the Park

Ancient Times: The Chumash People

For thousands of years, native Chumash people lived on the land that is now Malibu Creek State Park. Archaeologists have found the site of a Chumash village called Talepop in the park. The Chumash were famous for their redwood canoes. They used these canoes to travel along the coastline for many miles.

Early 1900s: Crags Country Club and Movie Ranches

Around 1900, a group of wealthy businessmen from Los Angeles bought 2,000 acres along Malibu Creek. They created the Crags Country Club. In 1903, a 50-foot-high dam was built nearby. This dam created a 7-acre lake, which was later bought by 20th Century Fox and named Century Lake.

The Crags Club Lodge was a large, three-level building finished in 1910. Redwood trees were planted near the lake that same year. Today, these trees are the southernmost redwood trees in California. The Rindge Dam in Malibu Canyon, built in 1926, is also within the park. The Crags Country Club closed in 1936, and the lodge was taken down in 1955.

Famous Owners and Park Growth

Much of the park's land was given by the famous entertainer Bob Hope. Other parts of the park were once owned by Paramount Pictures and 20th Century Fox. These companies used the land as movie ranches for filming.

Part of the former 20th Century Fox Ranch was bought in 1966 from Ronald Reagan. This ranch, called "Yearling Row," belonged to the future president from 1951 to 1966. He sold it to help pay for his 1966 campaign to become California's governor. More land has been added to the park over time.

In 2014, the Cameron Nature Preserve was added to the park. This property was bought from Oscar-winning director James Cameron. This addition created a continuous area of parkland.

Sadly, in 2018, large parts of the park were burned. This happened during the Woolsey Fire. This included the former Reagan ranch and the Fox Ranch filming location.

Cool Places to See: Park Landmarks

King Gillette Ranch

A newer part of the park is called the King Gillette Ranch. It has a beautiful Spanish Colonial Revival style house and other buildings. These were designed in the 1920s by architect Wallace Neff. The ranch belonged to King C. Gillette, who invented the disposable razor.

Later, the ranch was used by different groups, including Soka University. Today, the new visitor center for the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area is located here. It's in the historic Stables compound.

Sepúlveda Adobe

The Sepúlveda Adobe is a ranch house from the 1800s. It was built by the Sepúlveda family of California, a well-known family from Southern California. This historic house is located within the park.

Lights, Camera, Action! Films Shot at the Fox Ranch

When it was owned by 20th Century Fox, the park was known as the "Fox Ranch." It was a remote backlot where many movies were filmed for decades. Dozens of films were shot here, including several Tarzan movies:

The park was also a main filming spot for the movie M*A*S*H (1970) and the TV show M*A*S*H (1972–83). You can see the landscape in the show's opening credits. Helicopters carrying wounded people approach the hospital with the famous Goat Buttes in the background.

Other TV shows that used the park to look like a post-apocalyptic Earth include Planet of the Apes and Ark II. The park was also used for Robin Hood: Men in Tights. The Goat Buttes can be seen in the background of the final wedding scene.

Even today, the park is sometimes used for filming movies and TV shows.

Fun Things to Do: Activities at the Park

Malibu Creek State Park offers many fun activities for visitors. You can go horseback riding on the trails. It's also a great place for bird watching. Other popular activities include hiking, mountain biking, and rock climbing. You can also enjoy fishing or have a picnic with friends and family. Park rangers also lead special programs and hikes.

The Backbone Trail is a long trail that goes through the Santa Monica Mountains. It passes right through Malibu Creek State Park. Another long trail, the Coastal Slope Trail, is being built. It will go through the southern part of the park.

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