This Is the Most Peaceful Area in This Southern California State Park

Looking for one of the best hidden hikes in Southern California with both ocean views and mountain scenery? The Nicholas Flat Trail near Leo Carrillo State Park is a secluded coastal hike that offers breathtaking landscapes without the crowds. Located right off the Pacific Coast Highway, this trail boasts it all: grassy meadows, shaded oak groves, sea views, and a delightful pond at the top that will make you feel as if you’ve wandered into a storybook.  

Where You’re Going

Look for the trailhead near Leo Carrillo State Park Campground, barely north of Malibu. Keep your eyes peeled for this blink-and-you’ll-miss-it entrance right off the PCH. Once you’ve settled in the parking lot, look for the Camp 13 Trail to start on the Nicholas Flat Trail. 

With approximately seven miles round trip and around 1,700 feet of elevation gain, this hike is just challenging enough where you’ll feel that rush of endorphins, while not so intense that you’re gasping for breath by the end of the third mile.

The Trail: From Chaparral to Meadow Magic

While the first stretch of the hike is moderately strenuous, you’ll find that the minimal shade and switchbacks mean that the sweeping views come fast and fierce. At the moment you feel your legs start to burn, you’ll come across the Ocean Vista Trail, and yes, it’s 100 percent worth the detour. At the top, you’ll be treated to stunning views of the Pacific Ocean that, on a clear day, will reach Point Dume.  

Once you’ve made your way back to the main trail, this steady climb through gorgeous hillside views stays peaceful as you reach the top, and that is where your storybook hike opens into pure magic.

The Hidden Pond at the Top

At the top is where you take your prize. Welcome to the Nicholas Flat Natural Preserve. This serene meadowland is peppered with oak trees and birds singing happily in the Southern California sun. It is small, surreal, and wildly out of place in the best possible way.  

Take the time to do some birdwatching or journaling at the top. Or, just sit in nature’s silence as you feel the sun on your face after the hard work of getting there. We know deep down that if this were easy, everyone would be here.

Wildlife, Wildflowers and Worthwhile Warnings

During the spring months, the hills pop with floral color. Here, you’ll find purple sage and enough golden wildflowers to fill the air with natural fragrance. However, keep a watch for poisonous oak and hidden rattlesnakes, specifically when the trail narrows or when it hugs rockier edges. Proper footwear and longer pants go a long way, especially considering the trail takes around three or four hours to complete. 

There are no water fountains, so pack enough water and snacks alongside your sunscreen and layers.  While Malibu mornings can be chilly, the coastal afternoons still get toasty with the midday sun.  

The Way Back: One Trail, a Thousand Views

Once done with your peaceful afternoon, you can loop back through some of the preserved trails or backtrack the way you came. If you’re feeling courageous or want a different view, the Willow Creek Trail offers a route through a canyon with a gentle descent and more shade.

This Southern California hike is kind of like a sampler platter — you’ve got your canyon scrub, are able to wind your way through sun-soaked switchbacks, can enjoy stunning panoramic views of the ocean, and end in a meadow with a peaceful pond. It is wild, diverse, and surprisingly quiet, considering its distance from the booming city of Los Angeles.

The best part? You don’t have to choose between lush hills or ocean views — this trail lets you enjoy both in one unforgettable hike.