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Malibu Creek State Park and Lagoon - Site # 128 |
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Background: | Chaparral-covered hills and steep, wooded canyons give way to oak-studded grasslands and meandering streams that end at Malibu Lagoon, one of Los Angeles' few remaining estuaries. Raccoons, coyotes, gray foxes, badgers, and mountain lions live in rough backcountry patrolled by Cooper's hawks and golden eagles, the eagles nest in the park. Moist, rocky gorges with ferns and orchids shelter canyon wrens and white-throated swifts. Lazuli buntings, warbling vireos, and Swainson's thrushes live among the trees that shade Malibu Creek, which supports California's southernmost steelhead spawning run. Watch for buffleheads, ringnecked ducks, and belted kingfishers at the creek and Century Lake. Malibu Lagoon State Beach, a brackish marsh that attracts more than 200 bird species, is also a nursery for many fish, including steelhead trout, and is home to reintroduced tidewater gobies. |
| Malibu Creek S.P. Visitor Center is open on Weekends. Historic sites include Supulveda Adobe and Mott Adobe Ruins. Old Movie sites include M.A.S.H. Set and Rock Pool.
Malibu Lagoon- Historic Adamson House featuring Malibu Tile. Malibu Pier is also within walking distance. |
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The Habitat: | Malibu Creek S.P.- Chaparral (70%), oak savanna/grasslands (20%), riparian (10%)
Malibu Lagoon S.B.- Open water estuary (60%), coastal brackish marsh (40%)
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The Experience: | Malibu Creek S.P. has a wide diversity of vegetative types and perennial stream at the heart of both North-South and East-West wildlife movement corridors.
Malibu Lagoon S.B. is one of the few remaining significant coastal wetlands in Los Angeles County.
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Wildlife and Where to Find It: | Wildlife viewing from trails. Malibu Creek S.P. has over 30 miles of trails, most of which are on hilly terrain.
Malibu Lagoon S.B. has one accessible trail arround the marsh. |
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Viewing Tips: | Birds of prey, wading birds, songbirds, predators, and deer are seen year-round, songbirds best in April and May, September and October. High probability of seeing waterfowl, gulls, and shorebirds in fall and winter; terns is summer and fall. Hike or ride horses on trails; some connect to nearby Topanga State Park. |
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Site Notes: | Malibu Creek S.P.- Several creeks merge in the park before the final plunge to the Pacific Ocean. Coast Live Oaks and Valley Oaks form savannahs with native grasses and wildflowers. Chaparral covered slopes are dissected by cool shaded canyons.
Malibu Lagoon S.B.- Malibu Creek meets the ocean at Malibu Lagoon where a dynamic ever changing estuary supports hundreds of species of birds.
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Nearby Viewing Sites: | Topanga State Park
Leo Carrillo State Park
Santa Monic National Recreation Area
Gillette Ranch |
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Visitor Information: | Calabasas Chamber of Commerce/ Malibu Chamber of Commerce - 818-222-5680/ 310-456-9025 - www.calabasaschamber.com/ www.malibu.org |
Viewing Site Hours of Operation are: |
Staff On-site: | Yes |
Open: | Everday |
Hours: | Malibu Creek (8 AM-10PM ) Malibu Lagoon (8AM-Sunse |
Year Round: | Yes |
Seasonal: | During fire |
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Road Information: |
Paved. |
| Roads available year-round. |
| Road Hazards: No |
| Number of Parking Spaces: 0 |
| Parking Fee: Yes |
| Proximity to viewing area:close |
| Pull-Through Parking: Yes |
| Parking Danger: Use care when entering and leaving Malibu Creek S.P. and Malibu Lagoon S.B. |
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How to Get There: | From Calabasas on Highway 101, drive west to Las Virgenes exit; from exit, drive south 3 miles to entrance. To reach Lagoon, from Santa Monica on Highway 1, drive north 12 miles to entrance. |
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Contact Information |
Managing Agency: | California State Parks |
Agency Site URL: | www.parks.ca.gov |
Physical Address: | 1925 Las Virgenes Rd. Calabasas, CA 91302 |
Agency 2: | 1925 Las Virgenes Rd Calabasas, CA 91302 |
Manager Phone: | 310-457-8140 |
Contact Us: | by Email |
Site Phone: | (818) 880-0350 | | |
County: | Los Angeles |
Addition Website: |
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