Most folks start their day at Malibu Creek State Park from the main parking lot area off of Las Virgenes Road or perhaps by parking on Mulholland Highway at Las Virgenes and hiking in via the Grassland Trail to Crags Road, the main artery within the park. Another approach into the park is the Reagan Ranch, accessible from a parking area located off of Lake Vista Drive, just south of the juncture of Cornell Road and Mulholland Highway. What's nice about this parking area is that there is no charge for parking.

Ronald Reagan bought this 300+ acre ranch in 1951 and subsequently sold it to 20th Century Fox as a movie ranch in 1966 after he became Governor of California. It was later sold to the State and made part of Malibu Creek State Park.

After parking your car in the lot, walk up the paved road where you will see some older ranch buildings. These are used by California State Parks employees and are not accessible by the general public. But you may feel an aura of Reagan back here.

The "Yearling Trail" leads you towards the heart of Malibu Creek State Park. Less than 2 miles to Century Lake, just over 2 miles to the Visitor Center and 2.7 miles to the M*A*S*H site. Stay on the main trail, which about a mile in starts on an uphill. You'll see a sign that indicates you are on the "Lookout Trail." Continue on this trail and you will soon see why they call it that - look out and you will have great views of the main park and of Century Lake.

There are several other trails you can explore too back here.

More info on Malibu Creek State Park at www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=614