Camping in California: Malibu Creek State Park

Malibu Creek State Park & Campground

Malibu Creek State Park is over 8,000 acres of beautiful scenery that is truly spectacular.. There are 15 miles of streamside trail through oak and sycamore woodlands and chaparral-covered slopes. After a good rain, namesake Malibu Creek comes to life. The park is a famous filming spot seen in M*A*S*H, Planet of the Apes, and over 100 other Hollywood productions.

Malibu Creek slopes from west to east through the middle of the park. The creek was dammed in the early 1900s to form the seven-acre Century Lake. Numerous small seasonal creeks empty into Malibu Creek from the highlands.

What makes the park so great?  Dramatic, jagged peaks, stunning canyon vistas, oak woodlands, rolling hills of tallgrass, a large volcanic swimming hole, world class hiking and running trails, fishing, kayaking, biking and rock climbing and more!  

While visiting, you may get a glimpse of the abundant wildlife enjoying the habitat we strive to keep safe. Please join us in our efforts to preserve and protect this magnificent park.Here's what else you may find:

Reptiles & amphibians:  salamanders, newts, toads, frogs, turtles, lizards and snakes including the Southern Pacific Rattlesnake

Birds:  loons, boobies, cormorants, herons, egrets, vultures, geese, ducks, hawks, eagles, falcons, quails, terns, hummingbirds, woodpeckers, owls, ravens, larks, sparrows, cranes, thrush, bluebirds, wrens and swallows

Mammals:  bats, raccoons, skunks, badgers, coyotes, foxes, bobcats, mountain lions, squirrels, chipmunks, gophers, mice, voles, rabbits and deer. We saw a lot of deer there on our trip. 

Campground: There are 63 campsites (tent and trailer campsites). Check-out time is noon. Quiet hours are 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Camp fires are permitted only in the metal fire rings provided. Wood may be used during low fire danger conditions, and charcoal during medium fire conditions. No fires are permitted when fire risk is high.

 

Want to make a reservation?

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Travel to Big Bear City (Fishing Edition)

Fishing Big Bear Lake in Southern California 

The cool alpine lake is just a short drive from scorching deserts and inland valleys in Southern California . In fact, Big Bear Lake’s temperatures rarely exceed the 80’s during summertime, which makes it a pleasurable experience for anglers looking for refuge from the heat!

Let the rod and reel do all the work as you sip a cold beverage and wait for fish to nibble on the bait. Reel in the big one or catch some pan fish with the kids. Fishing in Big Bear Lake has become a family tradition where grandpa once caught his first fish. It's also a great getaway away with just the guys to see who can bring in the most fish. You can throw just about anything in your tackle box at the fish and they will bite!
The most popular species of fish found in Big Bear Lake is rainbow trout. It is a first-rate trout fishery lake because its depths allow rainbow trout to thrive, even in the heat of summer. One of the best ways to track down Big Bear’s healthy population of rainbow trout is down rigging deeper waters and trolling leadcore lines at three colors or more. The west end of the lake tends to see a majority of the action during the summer months. Shore anglers fishing near Big Bear Dam will have success with slip bobber setups with power bait or live bait 15 to 18 feet.

Summertime also generates action from a variety of other species, namely largemouth bass. The aggressive northern bass start to get hungry after their mid-summer spawn and will attack just about anything thrown in their direction. Crank baits such as, Rapala Husky Jerks, Luhr Jensen Mini Speed Traps, and plastics fished Carolina or Texas style near docks, rocks and weed beds get good results. Some of the hot spots for bass fishing are Eagle Point and Grout Bay.

Channel catfish are fished throughout the summer. These fish inhale stink baits, mackerel, shrimp or chicken livers, and are on the prowl for a good meal both day and night, so fishing is good all day long. Catfish are primarily found on the east end of the lake near Stanfield cutoff and the East Boat Public Launch Ramp. 

There are a variety of panfish in Big Bear Lake such as bluegill, pumpkinseed and crappie found in and around the south shore, especially at the marina docks. These tasty fish make great fishing for young anglers.

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