Malibu Creek State Park

Malibu Creek State Park is accessible in Calabasas, at 1925 Las Virgenes Road, south of Mulholland. The park contains over 8,000 acres of rugged, beautiful hills, trails and scenery. It stretches from Agoura Hills down to Malibu, down to Malibu Lagoon State Beach, covering much of the 25 mile Malibu Creek that flows from Boney Mountain down to the Lagoon. Malibu Creek is the only stream channel that crosses through the Santa Monica Mountain range.

There are three natural preserves in the park, Liberty Canyon, Udell Gorge and Kaslow, which protect Valley Oaks, rare plants and volcanic formations.

Things to do in Malibu Creek State Park include hiking, running, biking, camping, picnicking, fishing and checking out the wildlife. There are over 35 miles of trails and fire roads throughout the park. A fun added bonus is the old M*A*S*H series set, filmed from 1972 to 1983, that resides there.

Dogs are not allowed in Malibu Creek State Park trails.

Malibu Creek State Park contains roughly three dozen different trails, many easy, and some...extraordinarily challenging, such as the Bulldog trail, taking you to 2,500 foot peaks with panoramic views out to the ocean and surrounding peaks and valleys.

Parking for the day at Malibu Creek State Park is currently $12, or $3 per hour. You can also park at the corner of Mulholland and Las Virgenes and make your way into the park via the Grassland Trail.

The campground at Malibu Creek State Park has 62 campsites and 4 RV sites. Visit www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=614 for more information.

The old M*A*S*H site is 2.7 miles from the parking area.

M*A*S*H site with plenty of picnic tables

The Visitor Center is only a 10 minute walk from the parking lot and is generally open from noon to 4pm on weekends.

There's also an interesting visitor center about 1/2 mile from the main entrance to the park. It is open on Saturday/Sunday from noon to 4pm, subject to availability of docents. Worth a stop as there are some neat things to see in there, including wildlife and rocks/artifacts and other useful information. You can also purchase drinks in there as well as a small assortment of other items.

Hike to the Rock Pool at Malibu Creek State Park

Century Lake Hike at Malibu Creek State Park

Color Me Mine Ceramics Studio in Calabasas

Paint ceramics with your friends and family at Color Me Mine at 23641 Calabasas Road, Calabasas. Pick from hundreds of ceramic pieces for kids, the kitchen, bath, pets and more. Design and paint them any way you like.

More information at www.calabasas.colormemine.com or call 818.222.4922.

Over 150 Movie Theater Screens Around Ventura County

Here's a handy list of movie theaters with over 130 (originally it was over 150, but there’s been some closures over the years) screens throughout Ventura County and adjacent areas. Click the links for theater websites and/or showtimes.

Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village, Agoura Hills

Cinépolis Luxury Cinemas at the Promenade at Westlake, 100 Promenade Way, Westlake Village  (8 screens). Order food and drink from your seat and enjoy. cinepolisusa.com/locations/cinepolis-luxury-cinemas-westlake-village (805) 413-8838

AMC Dine-In Thousand Oaks 14, 166 West Hillcrest Drive at The Oaks Mall. Tickets at www.amctheatres.com/movie-theatres/los-angeles/amc-dine-in-thousand-oaks-14. $5 Tuesdays all day for AMC Stubs members.

Regal Janss Marketplace 9 is located at Janss Marketplace in Thousand Oaks, 255 North Moorpark Road. www.regmovies.com/theatres/regal-janss-marketplace-1418

Former Muvico (now AMC Dine-In) Thousand Oaks.

Regency Agoura Hills 8, 29045 Agoura Road, Agoura Hills (818.707.9966) www.regencymovies.com/locations/agoura-hill-stadium-8 $7 for all seats on Sundays.

Camarillo/Oxnard/Ventura

Cinemark Century Downtown 10, 555 East Main Street, Ventura (800.326.3264) www.cinemark.com/southern-california/century-10-downtown

Cinemark Century Riverpark 16 at 2766 Seaglass Way, Oxnard (800.326.3264). www.cinemark.com/theatres/ca-oxnard/cinemark-century-riverpark-and-xd

Cinemark Century Riverpark 16 at The Collection at Riverpark

Regal Edwards Camarillo Palace 12 and IMAX, 680 Ventura Boulevard, Camarillo (805.383.8879) (Located adjacent to The Promenade section of Camarillo Premium Outlets. www.regmovies.com/theatres/regal-edwards-camarillo-palace-1009

Plaza Stadium Cinemas 14, 255 West Fifth Street, Oxnard (805.487.8380). santarosacinemas.com

Regency Buenaventura 6, 1440 Eastman Avenue, Ventura (805.658.6544). www.regencymovies.com/locations/buena-ventura-6

Roxy Stadium 11, 5001 Verdugo Way, Camarillo (805.388.0532). santarosacinemas.com

Simi Valley

Regal Civic Center Plaza 16 & IMAX, 2751 Tapo Canyon Road, Simi Valley (805.526.0232). www.regmovies.com/theaters/regal-simi-valley-civic-center-stadium-16-imax/C00745385306

Studio Movie Grill at the Simi Valley Town Center opened on October 22, 2015, with 9 screens and over 950 seats. www.studiomoviegrill.com/locations/california/simi-valley/2022/1/14

Regal Civic Center Plaza, Tapo Canyon Road, just north of the 118.

Other Local Theaters

Regency Theatres at The Commons at Calabasas.www.regencymovies.com/locations/calabasas-commons

Regency Santa Paula 7, 550 West Main Street, Santa Paula (805.933.6707). www.regencymovies.com/locations/santa-paula-7 Seats just $7 on Sundays!

Ojai Playhouse at 145 East Ojai Avenue (805.646.1011) (1 screen) - CLOSED FOR REPAIRS SINCE 2018 at the theater that originated in 1914. Anticipated to reopen in 2024.

CLOSED

Regal Malibu Twin at 3822 Cross Creek Road, Malibu (310.456.6990) (closed in September 2017)

Simi Valley 10 Tristone Cinemas, 1457 E. Los Angeles Avenue (805.526.4329) simivalley.tristonecinemas.com (Closed 12/5/19 “due to leasing disagreements”)

Regency Paseo Camarillo Cinemas (3 theaters), 390 North Lantana Street, Camarillo (805.383.2267). regencymovies.com/main.php?theaterId=3 (“TEMPORARILY CLOSED” SINCE AUGUST 2021.)

Regency Westlake Village Twin, 4711 Lakeview Canyon Road, Westlake Village (818.889.8061) regencymovies.com/main.php?theaterId=1 Closed 1/17/22.

Edwards Grand Palace Stadium 6, 4767 Commons Way, Calabasas (818.223.0223). www.regmovies.com/theaters/edwards-calabasas-stadium-6/C00791471576 Closed 9/15/22

Bark Park Trail in Calabasas

The Calabasas "Bark Park" is located at 4232 Las Virgenes Road. To get there from the 101, take Las Virgenes Road south just under a mile. The entrance is on the left (east). If you're going fast, it is easy to miss it. It's a nice, local dog park open sunrise to 9pm with plenty of space for the doggies as well as a separate gated kids' play area and plenty of parking.

On the north side of the park is the trailhead to the Bark Park Trail, a 1.2 mile climb that links you up with the New Millenium Loop Trail. Round trip you're talking about a 2 1/2 mile hike.

It is a nicely maintained trail with a steady, uphill climb. I would call it a moderate climb for the most part. A good walk to take the kids on. But it can get a bit hot up here, so bring water and sunscreen on summer days.

Trail sign at the junction of Bark Park Trail and New Millennium Loop Trail.

As you can see from the sign, there's a lot more exploring you can do on these nicely maintained trails in Calabasas.

A view of the Bark Park from the trail above.

More on the Bark Park at www.cityofcalabasas.com/government/community-services-parks-recreation/parks-trails-and-facilities.

Calabasas Trolley

The City of Calabasas offers free trolley service on Saturdays between the hours of 10am and 3pm.

There are 24 stops over a one hour duration on Saturday at the following locations:

• Las Virgenes Road at Thousand Oaks Blvd (0:00)

• Agoura Road at Las Virgenes (Albertson's) (0:03)

• Agoura Road at Lost Hills Road (Summit) (0:04)

• Parkville Road at Grape Arbor Park (0:05)

• Malibu Hills Road at Agoura Road (Community Center (0:08)

• Lost Hills Road at Las Virgenes (de Anza Park) (0:10)

• Mureau Road at Las Virgenes Road (0:16)

• Parkway Calabasas at Calabasas Road (0:22)

• Parkway Calabasas at Park Granada (0:23)

• Parkway Calabasas at Camino Portal (0:25)

• Parkway Calabasas at Paseo Primario (North) (0:26)

• Park Granada at Park Capri (0:28)

• Park Sorrento at Avanti (0:29)

• Calabasas Road at El Canon (Old Town) (0:31)

• Mulholland at Paul Revere Drive (0:36)

• Mulholland at Declaration Ave (0:37)

• Mulholland at Mobil Home Park (0:40)

• Old Topanga Canyon at Calabasas High School (0:43)

• Old Topanga Canyon at Wrencrest Drive (0:44)

• Park Sorrento at Park Ora (0:45)

• Park Sorrento at Park Mirasol (Tennis & Swim Center) (0:47)

• Park Sorrento at Park Granada (0:48)

• Park Sorrento at Civic Center Way (Civic Center) (0:51)

• Mureau Road at Las Virgenes Road (0:58)

Learn more at www.cityofcalabasas.com/government/public-works/transportation-transit/public-transit-services/trolley.

New Millennium Trail in Calabasas

The New Millennium Trail is a loop that is accessible from the Bark Park Trail in Calabasas. In total the loop is about 12 miles.

The Calabasas Bark Park is located at 4232 Las Virgenes Road. Park there and you’ll see the Bark Park Trailhead on the north side of the dog park. Take it about 1.2 miles until you reach the following fork in the trail.

The New Millennium Trail is a challenging series of switchbacks and hills on mostly single track trails. This is a popular trail with mountain bikers. If you’re a runner or hiker, to be aware that you may encounter bikers and have to your best make room for the cyclists to pass by.

The trail itself is usually quite well maintained, but be careful because the single track can be tight in sections as you make your way up the hills.

Learn more about the trail on the LA County Department of Parks and Recreation website at trails.lacounty.gov/Trail/1754/new-millenium-trail.

Anthony C. Beilenson Interagency Visitor Center in Calabasas

The Anthony C. Beilenson Interagency Visitor Center is located at King Gillette Ranch, 26800 Mulholland Highway, Calabasas. It opened to the public in June 2012.

The Visitor Center is jointly operated by the National Park Service, California State Parks, the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy and the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority.

It features exhibits and interactive displays, the work of local artists, tours of sustainable features and a native plant garden. There is a tremendously comprehensive exhibit covering things to see and do within the Santa Monica Mountains.

The Visitor Center was formerly the horse stable for the Gillette Mansion. It retains some of its original design while achieving LEED Platinum certification as the first "net zero" visitor center in the National Park Service. Cool! (literally and figuratively)

Visitor Center staff and volunteers are very friendly and helpful.

There's also gift shop in the center with a variety of items including books, handmade items, kids' items and more.

Call 805-370-2301 or visit www.nps.gov/samo/planyourvisit/visitor-center.htm.

Open Wed though Sun, noon to 4pm. Closed Mon/Tues.

Nearby hiking is plentiful, including the Inspiration Point hike at King Gillette Ranch and across the street at Malibu Creek State Park.

Leonis Adobe Museum - Calabasas

The Leonis Adobe Museum in Calabasas was the first designated Los Angeles historic monument on August 6, 1962.  The Leonis Adobe was the home of Miguel Leonis, known as the King of Calabasas, who owned over 10,000 acres of land. The museum features his authentically furnished two-story Monterey-style adobe with original buildings, period livestock, gardens and a vineyard. The house was originally built in 1844, six years before Los Angeles was incorporated and California became a state.

Also on the property is the Plummer House, the oldest house in Hollywood and in 1935 was named California Historical Landmark No. 160.  The house fell into disrepair and became dilapidated before the salvageable front portion of the house was moved to the Leonis Adobe site in 1983 and subsequently  repaired, restored and refurbished.  It now serves as the onsite Visitor Center and gift shop.

Plummer House Visitor Center

The Leonis Adobe, located at 23537 Calabasas Road in Calabasas (near the Sagebrush Cantina) is currently (October 2021) open 10am to 4pm on Saturdays and 1-4pm on Sundays. Visit www.leonisadobemuseum.org or call 818.222.6511 for more information. Suggested donations are $5 for adults, $4 for seniors/students and $2 for children under age 12.

On a personal note, I've been to the Leonis Adobe and it is an amazingly large piece of property in the heart of old town Calabasas, paralleling, yet nearly invisible to, the 101 freeway.  In addition to the historic buildings, the site has an impressive assortment of vintage wagons and farm equipment. There's also a well manicured garden area and lots of farm animals to see and feed, including some longhorn bulls, sheep, goats, chickens and a horse. Bring quarters to buy food. Plus they have many activities for the kids year-round.

The Commons at Calabasas

The Commons at Calabasas is an open-air, Mediterranean style shopping center located at 4799 Commons Way. It is an attractive center with nice landscaping and fountains. There are about 35 businesses, including a Ralph's supermarket, the Edwards Grand Palace Stadium movie theater, Barnes and Noble, lululemon athletics, LOFT, Siany, White House Black Market, Williams-Sonoma, Rite Aid, Chico's, Kate Spade and other stores.

Dining options at The Commons includes Marmalade Cafe, Corner Bakery, King's Fish House, Fresh Brothers, Starbucks, Sugarfish by Sushi Nogawa, Toscanova, Menchie's Frozen Yogurt, Pick Up Stix, Greenleaf Gourmet Chopshop, Le Pain Quotidien and SunLife Organics. And soon, Greenleaf Gourmet Chopshop.

The Commons also hosts a weekly Kids Club and numerous other events and entertainment. There's also a nice pond/fountain area on the west end of the center, featuring koi and turtles.

Visit www.shopcommons.com or call 818.637.8922 for more information.

Las Virgenes View Park in Calabasas

Las Virgenes View Park is located at the northeast corner of Las Virgenes Road and Mulholland Highway in Calabasas. The park is a 696 acre project of the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, owned and managed by the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority in cooperation with the Las Virgenes Municipal Water District and City of Calabasas.

Enjoy a 2.4 mile trail through chaparral and woodlands to a scenic vista point at 1,100 feet. It is a single track trail of switchbacks that largely parallels Las Virgenes Road. You'll enjoy all sorts of views as you head up the trail, from Malibu Creek State Park, De Anza Park, King Gillette Ranch and beyond.

Off street dirt parking is at the trailhead and across the street. More information at www.lamountains.com/parks.asp?parkid=30.

Trailhead

View from the Las Virgenes View Park Trail towards Malibu Creek State Park.

King Gillette Ranch in Calabasas

The 588-acre King Gillette Ranch (26800 West Mulholland Highway, Calabasas) is situated adjacent to Malibu Creek State Park. This scenic parkland at the lower end of the Las Virgenes Valley is a haven for larger mammals of the Santa Monica Mountains and offers a rare unspoiled view of California’s rich archaeological, cultural, and historic resources, including a Chumash settlement, and nationally significant structures designed for razor magnate King C. Gillette in the 1920’s by Wallace Neff, architect of California’s Golden Age.

View of King Gillette Ranch from Inspiration Point, south of the Gillette Mansion

A short, somewhat steep roughly 1 mile hike from the parking area south of the Gillette Mansion leads to a knoll with 360-degree views—including the famous rock formations of Malibu Creek State Park. This is referred to as Inspiration Point. You will love the spectacular views from up there.

View from Inspiration Point west towards Malibu Creek State Park.

Other activities include strolling, bicycling, photography, and picnicking. King Gillette Ranch is owned and managed by the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority in cooperation with the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area unit of the National Park Service, the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, and California State Parks.  More information at lamountains.com/parks.asp?parkid=670 or call the Anthony C. Beilenson Interagency Visitor Center at 805.370.2301.

Directions from the Conejo Valley: Take Hwy 101 (Ventura Freeway) to the Las Virgenes/Malibu Canyon exit. Head south on Las Virgenes Road and continue to Mulholland Hwy, about two miles. Turn left onto Mulholland Highway and immediately look for the King Gillette Ranch entrance on the right.

Grasslands Trail to Rock Pool Hike in Malibu Creek State Park

Click the image below to learn about the 3 mile round-trip Grasslands Trail hike to the popular Rock Pool area in Malibu Creek State Park.

Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve in Calabasas

Looking for some good hiking? Click the image below for details about the Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve in Calabasas.