By Jeremy Simpson

Now I  am blissfully aware that jetsetera.com is a site that brought you such Southern California staples such as “glamping”. For those of us who have a pension for throwing the luxury aside and adventuring out into the pseudo-unknown, a majestic and one of a kind locale lies just beyond the reach of the city.

Malibu Creek State Park is home to some of the best hikes and ideal cliff-jumping sites that Los Angeles has to offer. When you happen upon the park and start to see some areas that you may recognize, that’s because you do – Malibu Creek State Park is where the MASH series was filmed – in its entirety.
Entrance to the park is cheap, around $10 a day or $25 if you plan on camping, which I  suggest. The campsites are large and although it is not exactly wilderness backpacking, it stills brings about that feel of seclusion that we so often need while being residents of this great but bustling city. The hike that inhabits the park is a winding path ranging from creek side vistas and mountain top views to cliff-jumping hotspots and absolutely gorgeous grassy meadows. What few locals and even fewer tourists come to realize is that just beyond natures little tourist trap – the cliff jumping lagoon – lies a surprisingly easy and otherworldly rock climbing adventure.

Upon beginning the hike, keep left to follow the creek in its entirety all the way to the lagoon – it will be obvious when you have arrived, as there is almost always a Malibu youth back-flipping off of one of the 50 foot high boulders. Remember to wear quality shoes with gripping soles as the first part of the climb is the most difficult, strictly because it requires a bit of flexibility to get around the rocks and beyond the water where the boulder area awaits. After conquering the initial climb, venture further into the mountainside and boulder hop your way throughout the park .  After hiking for some ways (about 30 minutes or so) you come across what seems to be an abandoned dam, to the left of the dam are rocks fit for climbing – climb them. At the top of the dam is one of, if not the most perfect viewpoints of all the park.
Set aside a few hours of your trip to be able to really take in everything that this hike has to offer. Not only was this the site of MASH but also on your way to the lagoon, if you look closely, it is pretty easy to recognize that the cliff sides are those used in the original ‘Planet of the Apes’. A great filming destination, it is obvious to see why so many film and television makers have chosen the park to be the central location for their art. One needs no experience to experience the excitement of boulder hopping around a state park and be rest assured, Malibu Creek State Park is the spot for Angelenos and visitors alike.

Guest Blogger Jeremy Simpson is a Southern California adventurer, travel writer, and wildlife photographer. Along with his joy of the outdoors and everything it provides he is also a screen writer, actor, and model. To contact Jeremy, email him at swami2510@yahoo.com