Corral Canyon

Overview

Hugging the coastline just off the PCH, Malibu’s Corral Canyon has the distinction of being the last canyon in the Santa Monica Mountains that has a completely undeveloped watershed that flows freely into the Pacific Ocean. And yes, that sound like a very specific thing, but you don’t need to memorize the honorifcs if you’re headed here – all you need to do is enjoy the 1000 acres of surprisingly solitary terrain, tremendous views of the canyons and Pacific Coast, cool ocean breezes – and at the end of the hike – maybe some post-hike seafood. There are more trails planned for this region, but for now the only trail in Corral Canyon is the Sara Wan Trail – a 2.5 mile loop that has a decent climb and some very nice views along the way. Park at the trailhead lot ($5 self-pay) or along the Pacific Coast Highway, paying attention to the sporadic “no parking” signs along the road. For as small a park as this is, the actual trailhead is a little unclear to spot. The most prominent walkway leading away from the trailhead lot is a short path underneath the PCH to neighboring Dan Blocker State Beach. On the north side of the lot just beside a parking spot reserved for loading there is a small clearing in the brush that quickly descends to a creekbed – that’s the start of the trail. As you make the quick drop into the shaded bed, take a second to breathe in through your nose. This area is filled with fragrant purple sage and California sagebrush – and the scent is unbelievable. If you’re lucky enough to hike here shortly after a rainstorm the effect will be even more pronounced – and the fresh sage combined with the nearby estuary, salt marsh, and ocean scents is definitely something to be savored. The trail hops over Corral Canyon Creek and then starts to become a bit sunnier as you turn north – here, some coastal scrub starts to take over and California Bay Laurel shows up in the mix, adding even more wonderful scents to the area. As you head toward the .25 mile mark, the trail makes a slight gain in elevation but other

Trail Stats

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