Starring Leo

Tidepools at Leo Carrillo

02.17.2015

The shores at Leo Carrillo State Park in Malibu have been the backdrop for such cinematic masterpieces as Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler's 50 First Dates. Of course, it's also been the backdrop for true classics like The Karate Kid, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Clint Eastwood’s Letters from Iwo Jima, a Best Picture Nominee in 2007. Nobody can deny that Leo just has that certain star quality! The park was named after Leo Carrillo, a dedicated conservationist and actor. It's prime sunbathing, whale-watching, and surfing terrain, and there's also a treasure trove of sea life unveiled at low tide. Check a tide chart, and when low tide favors it, climb about the rocky outcrops and see some of the stars of the Pacific: sea stars, anemones, mussels, and crabs. Cormorants, pelicans, and gulls are common in this area—trying to steal the spotlight! For the best tide pools, explore southwest of lifeguard tower 2, then stroll north to tower 3 to poke around the caves connecting beaches.

BONUS: Neptune’s Net, just a few minutes north, is a sure bet for melt-in-your-mouth fish and chips.

Leo Carrillo State Park is located 28 miles northwest of Santa Monica on Pacific Coast Hwy. Check tide charts before going. Dogs are allowed in the park's day-use areas, campground, and north beach (north of lifeguard tower 3). No dogs at Neptune's Net, unless tied up just beyond the patio.

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Hike Mori Point Pacifica

    Ah, Good Point

    Ready for a rewarding view? Head to one of the Peninsula’s favorite promontories: Mori Point. Climb your way up the Bootlegger’s Steps to the Mori Point headland for awesome vantages of the San Mateo Coast.

    View

  2. This Is Paradise

    Granite mountain-scape, superb sunset views, crystal lakes, and shoreline campsites … the trip to Paradise Lake in Tahoe National Forest lives up to its idyllic name.

    View

  3. Pomo Pitch

    Secluded camping under the redwoods and by a creek … now that’s a good pitch! Get to it at Pomo Canyon Environmental Campground, an absolute gem within Sonoma Coast State Park. This walk-in-only campground has hillside options and spots closer to the creek.

    View
  4. Camp and Kayak at Utica Reservoir in Stanislaus National Forest

    Sleeper Hit

    It's all about the water, and the camping, at Utica Reservoir in Stanislaus National Forest, a High Sierra reservoir perfect for kayak explorations and pitching your tent with the lake in the background.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories

  1. Hecata, Yeah!

    You’ll have to travel further afield for this lighthouse gem on the magnificent Oregon Coast, but some things are worth the enlightenment! Heceta Head Lighthouse State Scenic Viewpoint is worth an overnight stay if you’ve always wanted to spend the night at a historic beacon.

    View

  2. Discover the Dark

    Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are legendary as “the Land of the Giants,” home to the largest trees on earth—giant sequoias—and to the deepest canyon in the U.S.—Kings Canyon. The parks also have some impressive dark sky viewings.

    View

  3. Ciao, Bella!

    Experience the beauty of Italy without getting on an airplane, by taking a scenic stair walk through Castellammare. Originally developed in the 1920s to resemble Italy’s Amalfi Coast, this neighborhood has sweeping views of the Pacific, and plenty more to see.

    View

  4. Bakery to Bakery Urban Art Walk

    With nearly 600 restaurants, Pasadena rivals New York City in terms of establishments per capita. Translation: There’s a lot of food to choose from! French eateries are no exception. In the spirit of the Olympics, take a victory lap on a 3,500-meter (2.2-mile) bakery-to-bakery walk with some beautiful artdoors to see along the way.

    View