Our Mission The mission of State Parks is to provide for the health, inspiration and eo Carrillo State Leo Carrillo education of the people of California by helping L to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological Park is an inviting State Park diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation. treasure trove of tide pools, offshore reefs, canyon streams and challenging California State Parks supports equal access. Prior to arrival, visitors with disabilities who backcountry. need assistance should contact the park at (310) 457-8143. This publication is available in alternate formats by contacting:

CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS P.O. Box 942896 Sacramento, CA 94296-0001 For information call: (800) 777-0369 (916) 653-6995, outside the U.S. 711, TTY relay service

www.parks.ca.gov

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Leo Carrillo State Park 35000 W. Pacific Coast Highway Malibu, CA 90265 (310) 457-8143

© 2002 California State Parks (Rev. 2010) L eo Carrillo State Park—an inviting lasted from the late 1920s well into the 1960s. After inhabiting this land for thousands of treasure trove of tide pools, offshore One of his more recognizable roles was the years, they had nearly disappeared by 1920. reefs, canyon streams and challenging comic sidekick in the television series “The Today many Chumash descendants still backcountry—is located in the Santa Monica Cisco Kid.” Leo Carrillo served 14 years on celebrate and share their vibrant cultural Mountains 35 miles northwest of Santa the State Beaches and Parks Commission; he traditions. Monica. Its variety of recreational activities is was instrumental in the state’s acquisition of THE LAND limited only by the visitor’s imagination. From much of the property between Malibu Lagoon The Mediterranean climate and varied traditional beach recreation like sunbathing, and , including the area named topography support chaparral, coastal sage fishing, whale watching and swimming to more after him. scrub, riparian woodland, wildflowers and strenuous pastimes such as surfing, hiking, PARK History coastal strand plant communities. Higher diving, windsurfing, kayaking and camping, Archaeologists believe that the Chumash inland regions support dense brush, fire- Leo Carrillo is a haven for people, superb artisans who excelled at adapted chaparral species such as chamise, adventurers. basketry and elaborate rock art, lived in manzanita, ceanothus and scrub oak. Lower the area as long ago as 6,000 B.C.E. They elevations are home to the sage scrub enjoyed playing games, singing, dancing plant community—prickly pear cactus, and trading with other tribes. Their plank buckwheat, giant coreopsis, California boats carried them to the Channel Islands sagebrush and bush sunflower. Riparian plant to trade, fish and gather mussels and communities—California bay, willow, black abalone. In the late 1700s, Spaniards settled the area, forcing dramatic changes on the Leo Carrillo Who was Leo Chumash and Carrillo? their way of life. is named after a star Native American of Broadway, television and film. Descended labor built Mission from prominent early California families— San Buenaventura, his great-grandfather was Carlos Antonio de but the regimented Jesus Carrillo, a governor of California in the mission life and the last years of Mexican rule—Mr. Carrillo’s effects of European talent lay in entertainment. He began as a diseases took a toll vaudeville comedian; his prolific film career on the Chumash.

An interpretive walk through coastal sage scrub habitat walnut and sycamore trees—grow Fishing—Anglers over age 16 need a valid in the cool, moist environment California fishing license to fish for kelp along Arroyo Sequit. (calico) bass, surf perch, sheephead, halibut Rabbits, bobcats and coyotes and white sea bass. thrive here, along with squirrels Diving—The clear waters of the park are and scrub jays. Hikers often see good for scuba diving and snorkeling. Dive acorn woodpeckers, horned owls, with the proper certification, equipment quail, warblers and red-tailed and training, and never dive alone. Ask a hawks. Mule deer, gray foxes and lifeguard about ocean conditions and the raccoons forage in the riparian best diving areas. woodland at night. Amphibians Surfing—Swim and surf only in areas with and reptiles include salamanders, lifeguards, and go with a friend. Sequit toads, lizards, rattlesnakes, gopher Point and nearby Staircase and County Line and king snakes. beaches are especially popular. Swimming, THE SEA boogie boarding and sunbathing are also Small beach coves in this favorite activities. Know your limits and year-round paradise offer learn about weather and ocean conditions. privacy and ocean If you get caught in a rip current that causes access for anglers, you to drift from shore, do not swim against divers, surfers, it. Instead, swim parallel to the shore until wildlife watchers and you are out of the current, then swim back towards shore. beach walkers. Visitors learn about tide pools. Tide pools—During OTHER RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES seasonal low tides, In April and May, gray whales may be seen Hiking visitors may see sea from the beach as mothers (cows) and babies Hikers have a choice of gentle or more stars, anemones, mussels, (calves) return north. Dolphins, harbor seals energetic walks. Yellow Hill Fire Trail offers crabs and other tide pool and sea lions can also be seen swimming panoramic views of the beach; on a clear day, creatures. Tide pool animals are fragile and along the beach. you can see Anacapa, Santa Catalina and need your help to protect them. Touch animals Sea birds—Pelicans, gulls, grebes and Santa Cruz, three of the Channel Islands in gently and leave them where you find them. cormorants glide overhead. Many species of the distance out at sea. The steeper Nicholas Picking up animals may injure them. Leave gulls and shorebirds feed along the shoreline Flat Trail meanders through wildflowers and shells as future homes for hermit crabs. while other birds fish in the waters offshore. various plant communities to a seasonal pond. Marine mammals—Gray whales migrating Pelicans and cormorants are commonly seen A short nature trail loops near the campfire down the coast venture in close to the beach. resting on rocky outcroppings. center at the rear of Canyon Campground. Beach wheelchairs may be checked out at both North and South Beach. Accessibility is continually improving; call the park or go to http://access.parks.ca.gov for more details.

Please Remember • Watch out for rattlesnakes, ticks and poison oak, and stay away from seals and sea lions. • Stay on the trails and carry plenty of drinking water. • Use caution when fishing from slippery rocks during a rising tide or big surf. • Ask the lifeguard or park ranger about ocean conditions. • Only vehicles with less than eight-foot clearance can enter the North Beach parking lot.

NEARBY STATE PARKS • Point Mugu State Park, 15 miles south Small coves await discovery. of Oxnard on Hwy. 1 (310) 457-8143 • Robert H. Meyer Memorial State Beach, Camping Interpretive Programs 10 miles north of Malibu on Hwy. 1 The Canyon Campground has 135 family sites, Campfires, Junior Ranger programs and (310) 457-8143 each with a table and fire ring. Restrooms nature walks are offered from Memorial Day and coin-operated hot showers are nearby. through Labor Day. A small visitor center is Hike-and-bike campsites are located near open on the weekends. School field trips This park is supported in part through campsite #1. The Group Campground at the must have reservations. For information, call a nonprofit organization. back of the canyon accommodates up to 50 (805) 488-1827. For more information, contact people. It has picnic tables, two barbecue Accessible Features pits, and restrooms with coin-operated Natural History Association Seven campsites are accessible, with hot showers. Camping reservations are 9000 W. Pacific Coast Highway restrooms and showers that are generally recommended from May through October Malibu, CA 90265 • (805) 488-1827 accessible. Accessible picnicking, parking and on holiday weekends. To make camping and restrooms are available at North Beach. reservations, call (800) 444-7275.