La Jolla Valley in Point Mugu State Park
Malibu, CA 90265
Phone: (818) 880-0350
- Hours:
- Daily 8am-10pm
Editorial Review for La Jolla Valley in Point Mugu State Park – by Martha Burr
In Short
Located between the Santa Monica Mountains and Malibu shoreline, Point Mugu State Park boasts more than 70 miles of hiking trails. The La Jolla Valley trail traverses it all--from rugged chaparral strewn with prickly pear and yucca to lush, fern-filled canyons with streams, small waterfalls and stands of oaks. The hike eventually gives way to beautiful rolling grasslands busy with scurrying roadrunners and other creatures.
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Insider Tips
The ExtrasTake the Mugu Peak trail winding south towards the Pacific, and be rewarded with a breezy, awe-inspiring view of the ocean and the Channel Islands.
Look GoodLa Jolla Valley is one of the few places left in Southern California that has resisted the foreign grasses imported by the Spanish for pasture. Look for wild chocolate lilies in them.
User Reviews for La Jolla Valley in Point Mugu State Park
08/05/2008 Posted by dopeni
There are also other wonderful hikes from this same trail head, including variations on the LJ Valley loop hike. My favorite is to go up the La Jolla Valley trail, and then staying left at forks over the next 2-3 miles, go onto the Mugu Peak Trail. After going around Mugu Peak clockwise (some will go over it), I return on segments of the LJ Loop Trail and Valley Trail. The Santa Monica Mountains Backbone Trail, 70-some miles, begins at the Ray Miller trail head which is also located in this parking lot adjacent to the LJ Valley trailhead. The maps distributed by State Parks, the Harrison map "Santa Monica Mountains West", or any number of hiking books describe these trails. There is a complete description on the California Coastal Trail website of a 7.5 mile loop hike that includes part of the Backbone and the LJ Valley trail. Go to californiacoastaltrail[dot]info and click through to Favorite Hikes, Ray Miller Overlook Trail Loop. Each year, Coastwalk leads free hikes along some of these trails. Check out coastwalk[dot]org and click through to L.A. County dayhikes.
10/13/2007 Posted by roxyqs26
I loved this hike. I moved here from Portland, OR and was desperate for some wilderness and sweeping views. We drove down PCH and pulled off the side of the road when we saw "La Jolla Valley Pt. Mugu" sign. We took the little fire road inland about 100 yards and found the trail head. we took it straight inland and then veered off right when we saw Will Rogers trail. that brought us back to where we started. about 8 miles.
Pros: Great Views, we parked for free on side of road
Cons: Might be a little hard to spot if not looking for the trail
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful
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