Solstice Canyon

The Solstice Canyon hike is a low-difficulty, flat hike that takes you along a semi-running creek and through a set of Malibu home ruins. In total, it is 2.6 miles in and out. Hike time can take between an hour and two hours. The trailhead boasts a public restroom and free parking lot that tends to get full on the weekends. We suggest arriving earlier in the morning to avoid crowds.

There are various ways to spend a day hiking through this trail and surrounding area. If you are looking for a more intense hike, hang right at the beginning of the trail. This will take you to a loop trail up the mountainside for some great views of the ocean.
Feeling adventurous? Hop off the paved path and take the trails that go along the creek and in between the trees. Once you get to the end of the hike there are large rock formations that you can climb up and follow deep into the mountains. You could easily spend an extra hour on the excursion.

Take some time to check out the 2 ruins in the canyon. Both homes were victim to wildfires. The first you will encounter burnt down in 2007. The second is the Robert Ranch House that burnt down in 1982. It gets its name the “Tropical Terrace” from the surrounding, rather out of place, tropical vegetation. Beyond these ruins the creek ends at what used to be a waterfall.

Solstice Canyon is a great hike to bring along the family and dog (if he or she is on a leash) to enjoy some of Malibu’s scenery and history. Beware of snakes! The ATM team encountered 2 snakes on our visit — one a 5-foot rattlesnake!