Off the Deep End

If you like water parks and hiking, then you'll love Malibu Creek State Park, nature's best water park in LA County, just 25 miles from downtown.  I went there just last weekend with a group of friends to explore and seek out adventure—once they told me about cliff jumping opportunities at this scenic creek I was all in!  It's an easy spot to find, just off the 101 on Las Virgenes Road, and I recommend you do like us and take advantage of the free street parking on Mulholland Highway instead of paying to park at Malibu Creek (to park on the street is barely any farther from the parking lot and you'll save fourteen bucks!).

On our way to the creek, we passed through a field plentifully bestrewn with tall yellow flowers and grass (picture below).  The surrounding hills were green and lush, and we were all a little taken back by the majesty of the landscape.  Oddly enough, the view inspired at least three of us to begin singing "The Hills are Alive." 

 The hike from where we parked to the cliff diving location was only about a mile and we got to walk along part of the 25-mile long Malibu Creek.

Carefully crossing the creek.

Once we got to the primary location, it was like God's water park for the people of Los Angeles.  Children were laughing and playing in the water, families setting up picnics and barbeques, some people were traversing across the steep rocks, and those brave enough would dare to face the 45-foot jump from one of the cliffs into the pond below.  We set up our camp and strung hammocks in the trees and enjoyed the warm weather of Malibu. 

The top of those rocks is where the daring launch themselves into the pond.

 Home is where the hammocks are!

We then began our hike further up the creek by first swimming across the (rather cold) pond to the rocks on the other side.  From there we split into a few different groups who wanted to take different paths until we would meet a tenth of a mile down the creek. Some went hopping across boulders, others swam once again through the water, and I and one other chose to climb the vertical rock wall to the other side.  Once reunited, we continued our trek by jumping, sliding, or traversing our way up the flowing river.  We spotted a rope swing that someone had strung up on a tree branch and used it to launch ourselves into the river.  There were caves and caverns, detours and shortcuts, all of which kept me and my buddies (who love unguided adventures) entertained.  I'll leave finding them up to you since that's where most of the excitement of adventure was!  Of course, you need to be safe since it's easy to fall when climbing on rocks, and you should never attempt anything that's outside your comfort zone or capability.

We spent about three hours at the Malibu State Park and only scratched the surface of activities to do there.  So next time you're looking for some sunshine and amusement, be sure to check out Malibu Creek!

A diver splashing into the water.