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Leo Carillo State Park
Rating Details »
35000 W Pacific Coast Hwy
Malibu, CA 90265
(818) 880-0363
Malibu, CA 90265
(818) 880-0363
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
5 reviews for Leo Carillo State Park
We got a call from some friends that scored a campsite here so we loaded up the car with the tent, dog, and booze and rolled out to the beach. The drive is what you'd expect on the 10 and PCH, bad to worse at times. Mostly in Santa Monica where every fool is trying to go to the beach. Once you get out of that it's pretty direct up the coast. Watch out for the heat, they'll find ya if you don't!
The campground was nice; large sites good shade and a breeze to boot, flush toilets and water are a plus and a not terrible overpriced store to buy extra beer or wine if you're desperate.
Our site was pretty trick except for the loud fools playing Jay Z till early in the morning or the guys trying to pimp on the ladies but failed in the end. I guess one of them puked in the tent and mom and dad were not too pleased in the morning - awesome.
The beach is across the PCH via a little tunnel so you don't have to drive or squirrel across with the kids. The beaches were pretty nice, nice view and clean water (I think) but cold. Even an area to bring your dog further up the beach. Did a couple mile hike today before leaving to wrap up a good weekend.
People thought this was:
- Useful (1)
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Day of visit: Sunday
Time of visit: 3pm-ish
Parking: across the street at the State Park entrance or you can try to find street parking and then climb down to the beach
HIGHLIGHTS: starfish, anemones, crabs, limpets, mussels, tiny fish (not sure what kind), sea caves and tunnels
The beaches were crowded, but after exploring the stretch for a bit, we found a nice little cove that wasn't occupied. The tide pools aren't very difficult to get to, but I'd suggest extra caution if you're bringing young children.
It was nice to see the sea creatures, until we saw someone stealing starfish. We notified the lifeguard tower, a lifeguard came over, told the culprit to put the starfish back but he didn't wait and WATCH the guy do it. So, the starfish stealer pretended to put them back while his family shoved the three starfish in their bag.
(-_-)
This is a favorite place of mine to go camping. Years ago, my grandparents used to take all the grandkids here during the summer on a week long camping trip. Some of my fondest memories are right here at Leo Carillo! The camp sites are great, the beaches are beautiful and there's always something to do or someone new to meet. They have restrooms, showers, and a little market for those items you forgot, or if your in the mood for an ice cream or snack!
This place is a great place to camp. If you plan to go anytime during popular holidays like Memorial day, 4th of July, or Labor Day, or if you'd like to go during the summer, you may need to make reservations a year in advance.
People thought this was:
- Cool (1)
Oy-evay . . . Can a CA State Park get more TV and Film exposure than other CA State Parks? The answer is YES!
I have camped here throughout the years in total awe because I see, meet, and party with so many adventurous peeps who frequent this State Park. A lot of excitement happens at this park!
TV shows such as Summerland, SPF-30, Malcolm In The Middle, etc. were filmed on the beach side of Leo Carrillo State Park. The State Park also holds rock concerts in the main parking lot, too.
Peeps do surf, windsurf, parasailing, boogie board, sun bathing, fishing, throw peeps' cremated ashes here, make a movie, make a TV show, get naked, get drunk, get high, get famous, you name it, it has been done at Leo Carrillo! The bathrooms by the beach are funky and the showers are extremely cold! Brrrr!
Heads Up: I have noticed that cellphone reception is almost nil and the transmission/reception stops after Campsites 101-110. So, if you really need to keep in touch with your peeps, try staying near or at Campsite 102. Campsite 100-106 were flooded out in 2004-2005.
The nicest, flat ground campsites are the ones in the middle of the park closest to the steep embankment (opposite campsites to the river). The campsites closest to the river are prone to extreme flooding danger!
The Campground grocery store has a cool dude working during the store operation hours and his name is Lee. The Campground Host is Steve who lives adjacent to the grocery store and sells dry firewood, too. Both guys will tell you where to go hiking all the great, secret trails from Leo Carrillo to Sycamore State Park. Funny characters these two guys are because they have been hanging around Leo Carrillo ever since they were little boys.
Anyway, I had to pack up my camping gear after the torrential downpour. I was camped at Campsite 108 and the ground was drenched-no . . . inundated with three inches of water! From the gate entrance kiosk to Campsite 100-106, the heavy rain storm also flooded the underpass to get to the beach.
I wanted to see how flooded the State Park was after the heavy rain storm so, I drove all over the entire campground and headed towards the beach. So many of the campsites were sitting in about 3-4 inches of water. Not good.
BTW: There is no other way to get to the beach by car because the Ranger Ricks locks the PCH 1 access 24/7. I walk out of my car and low and behold . . . what? The road is really flooded! I can't get to the beach? Crap!
I pull over to the right side of the road before the flooded roadway. I get out of my car, skip a flat rock into the middle of the flooded road to see how deep the water is. A very long, black, shiny SUV pulls up onto my left side of my Toyota 4-Runner. The guys says to me, "What's wrong?"
I replied, "The water is very deep, so I was checking to see if it will be alright to drive through the deep water to get to the beach."
The guy replied, "Aw, I'm going!" I yelled back, "Ok, you go for it! If you get stuck, I am calling AAA!" The guy plowed right through the deep water! Oy-evay!
Gee, who is that guy? Why does he look so familiar? No way! That is Robert Townsend? Lol . . . I decided to follow him to the beach and plowed through the deep water pensively white-knuckling my steering wheel.
I park my car and jumped out of my car. Robert Townsend starts laughing at me!
O=:-(
"Hey, that is not funny to laugh at me, Dude! I was really concerned I would flood or damage my newly installed brakes!"
"Eh, so what-they'll dry out!" Robert Townsend assures me. I frown, asked him what he was doing at the beach, and he said he often meditates on that specific rock on the beach. Oh, okay . . . Chillin' out, eh?
"Well, thanks for giving courage to drown my newly installed brakes. I am going to eat my lunch and head North to San Francisco after I eat. So, take care and have fun chillin' out, Dude!"
Robert Townsend tells me he climbed Kilimanjaro, hands me his phone number and instructs me to call him? "Okay . . . Well-take care and have a beautiful day! Bye!"
While eating my lunch, I watch Robert Townsend walk over to his favorite rock, climbs up, and begins his meditation in a Yoga sitting position. I finish eating my lunch, climb into my 4-Runner, honk my horn at Robert Townsend, he waves good-bye and I am off heading North to my stomping grounds.
I bet you Robert Townsend was wondering why I never asked him for his autograph! Dude-the only autograph I want from you is YOU signing my paychecks!!! O=:-D
Yo! Show me yo money! LOL! Better yet, hire me as an union camera operator working at Leo Carrillo for seven days, I'll camp at Leo Carrillo, walk steps to the beach to get to work, get off work, take a hot shower at the bathrooms, crash inside my creature comfort tent, eat leftover movie/TV to-go meals, and I will be very happy indeed!
People thought this was:
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I wanted to do a review of the Nicholas Flats trail that starts at Leo Carillo, but since the trail does start at Leo Carillo I might as well lump it all in as one. The trail itself is pretty awesome with a steady grade for the first two miles or so before it flattens out and you go another two miles before you get to this area that looks like it was supposed to be Nicholas Flats. At any rate, the flowers and stuff are coming out quite nicely. A lot of the trail is shaded so that is a plus for the summer hikes. Since it is next to the ocean a nice ocean breeze can be expected to cool you down as well. The views for more than half the hike were simply amazing. Kind of far away from Santa Monica (maybe 25 miles north), but it is a good weekend destination. 8 miles total for the in and back. Oh and I nearly cut off my finger trying to cut this plant with a sharp pocket knife. Had to wrap my bloody finger with napkins and hold it like an idiot above my head as I ran down the mountain. Pretty funny experience. The beach was cool too, but we didn't spend too much time there.
People thought this was:
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