Solstice Canyon offers an easy no-fuss walk alongside a flowing creek in a wide canyon. The big attraction on this 2.6-mile round trip hike is a small waterfall next to interesting ruins. Solstice Canyon is a great venue for a picnic and a stroll. The wide trail is so level it can be walked in flip-flops, making this one of the most family-friendly hikes in the Santa Monica Mountains.
Woolsey Fire Update: Solstice Canyon has reopened following the November 2018 Woolsey Fire. Check the NPS Solstice Canyon webpage for more information.
Canyon Trail is the main drag in Solstice Canyon, and easy to follow. Starting from the Solstice Canyon Education Shelter, take the wide trail heading west from the parking lot. To the left flows Solstice Canyon Creek, and scattered picnic tables can be found along the early portion of the trail.
After crossing the creek, the trail turns right and proceeds upstream, remaining level as sycamores, oaks, and alders provide intermittent shade. In the springtime, flowers bloom amongst the chaparral.
The trail ends at the ruins of Roberts Ranch House, called the Tropical Terrace. Designed by architect Paul Williams and built in 1952, the brick structures found harmony with nature by incorporating the creek, waterfall, and landscape into their design. The house must have been a relaxing retreat, until it was burned down by wildfires in 1982. The remaining foundations are now protected by the National Park Service. Several walls and fireplaces still stand as well as the outline of a pool. Palms surround the ruins, providing the tropical ambiance.
A panel at the ruins tells the story:
The history of this favorite homestead site included many fires so Fred (Roberts) insisted that fire protection be incorporated into the design. The visually striking pools supplied water for an elaborate pump system to protect the home from fires. However, the pumps and pipes were not maintained after Fred’s death and the home was lost in the 1982 Dayton Canyon Fire. The surviving features provide a unique opportunity to walk through a blueprint of a Paul R. Williams design.
Today wildfires remain a concern, and parts of Solstice Canyon have burned as recently as 2007, resulting in a temporary closure of the park.
Just beyond the ruins, a short waterfall spills down the creek into a sequence of rock pools. This is a great place to spend some time exploring. Several smaller ruins along the bank of the creek can be discover. Return the way you came. This hike has 300 feet of elevation change. Dogs are welcome. No fee or permit is required, so get out and enjoy!
A handful of other trails explore Solstice Canyon. Those looking for more of a challenge should try the Deer Valley Loop off Sostomo Trail. The 3.9 miles of undulating trail offer occasional ocean views and plenty of good exercise.
To get to the trailhead: Take PCH to Malibu and turn inland on Corral Canyon Road (West of Malibu Canyon Road and Pepperdine University at the intersection with the 76 gas station). The park entrance is on the left, just around the first bend in the road. Expect a full parking lot on weekends.
Trailhead address: Corral Canyon Road & Solstice Canyon Road, Malibu, CA 90265
Trailhead coordinates: 34.03765, -118.7477 (34° 02′ 15.5″N 118° 44′ 51.7″W)
View Santa Monica Mountains in a larger map
Or view a regional map of surrounding Los Angeles trails and campgrounds.
 | Corral Canyon This 2.5-mile loop offers ocean and canyon views from a unspoiled section of the Santa Monica Mountains in Malibu. |
 | Mesa Peak from Corral Canyon Road This 6.5-mile hike travels along a ridge adorned with sandstone outcroppings to approach a peak with ocean views over Malibu. Shorten the outing to 5.35 miles round trip by stopping at a crest above Mesa Peak with a prominent boulder. |
 | Mesa Peak from Malibu Canyon Road (Piuma Trailhead) This 6.5-mile round trip hike ascends 1,375 feet up the Backbone Trail from Malibu Creek State Park to a subtle summit with substantial ocean views. |
 | Escondido Falls This 3.8-mile out and back hike visits a 200-foot waterfall that is split into two tiers. The upper tier is 150 feet tall and stunning after a rainstorm. |
 | Point Dume Natural Preserve This one-mile hike explores overlooks on a scenic headland jutting into the Pacific at the northwest end of Santa Monica Bay in Malibu. |
 | More trails in the Santa Monica Mountains Explore other destinations in the range. |
 | Zuma Canyon Trail This 2.8-mile hike leaves a coastal Malibu neighborhood to explore rustic Zuma Canyon. |
 | Grassland Trail to Crags Road and Rock Pool This easy 3-mile hike enters Malibu Creek State Park on South Grassland Trail, then forms a loop around Crags Road to visit Rock Pool, a popular park retreat. |
 | Red Rock Canyon The trails in the beautifully sculpted Red Rock Canyon are 2.5 and 5.2 miles in length. |
 | The Grotto This 3-mile out and back hike visits a remote grotto in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. |
 | Santa Ynez Falls This 2.5-mile follows a shaded creek to a gorge containing a short waterfall. |
 | Runyon Canyon Tour Hollywood's most popular dog park on loops of various lengths, offering good exercise and views over Los Angeles. |
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Did this particular hike on my Birthday weekend. Was very much looking forward to it. It was a good hike, but somewhat disappointing for me. I guess I had built up the ruins in my mind so that I was expecting so much more. However, it is beautiful and had some great ocean views. Will try this one again, also.
Has anyone just kept going? Can you just go all the way to Mulholland Highway?
The Roberts Ranch House ruins have been significantly vandalized with graffiti. It looks like the group that did it also damaged some of the stone and brick work that had otherwise survived the fire and remained intact for 30 some years since.
I was there this weekend for the first time in a few years. I was disappointed at how crowded the park was, and how noisy the many groups of people were. Previous visits were serene and quiet. Now, even if you couldn’t see other people, you could hear their loud conversations. Too bad.
[…] This site is home to one of the only year-round waterfalls in the Santa Monica Mountains as well as the ruins of 2 homesteads. Historically, the Chumash originally used the land for food, water and shelter. Ranchers would graze their cattle here. Matthew Keller built a stone cottage in Solstice Canyon sometime around 1865. The frame of the house still stands and is believed to be the oldest existing stone in Malibu. It is still visible today as you walk down the Solstice Canyon Trail. […]
[…] Malibu that Shannon had read about in an article: Solstice Canyon. It was a relatively easy hike; the hikespeak page said it could be done in flip-flops, which is maybe technically true but would be kind of a dumb […]
[…] been a while since Stuart & I drove up to Malibu for the first time and hiked Solstice Canyon Trail. We ended up getting really excited and hiked the next day too (I’ll posting about that […]
do you know if the hike is 2.6 miles there and back or just there?
2.6 miles is the round trip distance (there and back).
Is the Solstice Canyon Trail open to bicycles or just foot traffic?
The few people that I did see on the trail last Tuesday were very friendly. Saw a deer, some quail, and the waterfall was still waterfalling in August! Lots of things off trail to explore. I’ll definitely bring back all of my easily winded (read: out of shape) friends.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Md8IYwdEKik
Is there a place along the trail that we can swim or play in the water?
You won’t find enough water to swim, but the creek is easy to access near the trailhead and by the ruins.
Is there a telephone number for Solstice Canyon?
can you backpacking camp sites here? If so what route do I take? Is the water drinkable if I filter it?
Thank you in advance
can you camp overnight here?
Solstice Canyon does not have a campground. You might want to check out nearby Malibu Creek State Park Campground.
Lost an earring on 10/19 on Solstice Canyon. Gold with blue stones. Sentimental value! Please lmk if u found it. Reward for return.
Anyone know if this is open? Reports say closed due to fire in November 2018.
Solstice Canyon is still closed.
Hello – is this trail still closed?
It’s closed until 6/1
Was there today 4/17/19 it open
Anybody know if the growth has been cut back on the rising sun trail?
Has anyone found the Virgin Mary statue? Ive been searching.
I’d like to go on the hike in Oct (next month). First, is the trail open? Is the waterfall still running in Oct and is it crowded? Just wondering because of the covid concerns. Thanks!