Solstice Canyon, in Malibu, has old stone ruins, a waterfall and ocean views on one trail.
Before you go, you need to know how long it takes, how hard it is and where to park.
This guide covers the route options, the parking, the rules and what you will see, so you can decide whether to go.
Solstice Canyon hike covers 2.1 miles round trip in 2 to 3 hours
The round trip covers 2.1 miles (3.4 km) and takes 2 to 3 hours. Plan at least 2.5 to 3 hours, so you are not rushing back to the car. It is rated easy to moderate.
The climb is gentle: about 336 feet (102 m) from the parking area to the ruins and the waterfall. The first 0.5 mile (0.8 km) is paved, so the start is easy on the legs.
The 2 to 3 hours cover the shaded out-and-back walk to the ruins and the falls. If the ocean view is the goal, add time on top, since the narrow sections and stream crossings slow you down.
For more easy trails with waterfalls, see the guide to beginner-friendly hikes in Los Angeles.
Out-and-back or loop: two routes, one with the ocean view
Out-and-back to the ruins and waterfall
For an out-and-back, follow Solstice Canyon Trail to the Roberts Ranch ruins and the waterfall, then return the same way. The trail is 2.1 miles round trip.
This route has the least climbing of the options, so it is the easier choice if you want to see the ruins and the falls without a steep section.
If you want another Malibu waterfall after this, see the Escondido Falls hike in Malibu.
Loop via Rising Sun Trail for the ocean view
Choose the loop if you want the ocean view, and accept a steeper climb to get it.
| Criteria | Loop via Rising Sun Trail | Out-and-back |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 1.4 miles on Rising Sun Trail | 2.1 miles round trip |
| Climbing | 469 ft (about 143 m) on Rising Sun Trail | Less than the loop |
| Difficulty | Rated difficult by Los Angeles County | Less demanding, with less climbing |
The switchbacks climb steeply from the ruins to the canyon top, through coastal scrub with little shade. Start early and carry enough water, because the heat builds on the way up. Don’t turn back at the ruins: the ocean view comes on the way down toward the parking lot.
Parking at the Corral Canyon Road entrance fills up on weekends
From the Pacific Coast Highway, turn inland on Corral Canyon Road. The park entrance is on your left after 0.25 mile (about 400 m), at the Solstice Canyon Road junction.
Parking is free, with no reservation. But there are few spaces, and weekend mornings fill fast, so arrive early or carpool. For another waterfall, see Eaton Canyon Falls near Pasadena.
Lot full
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Park outside the painted lines
Park along Corral Canyon Road, with the whole car outside the lines.
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Walk to the entrance
Walk slowly on the edge of the road until you reach the park entrance.
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Fill your water
Use the fountain in the lot, or the one about 0.25 mile (400 m) along Solstice Canyon Trail.
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Find the toilets
They are about 100 feet (30 m) past the lot, on the main trail.
When is Solstice Canyon open, and can you bring a dog?
The main parking lot opens at 8 a.m. and closes at sunset, so plan your visit within those hours. The trail itself is open all year.
Dogs are allowed on the trails, on a leash of 6 feet (about 1.8 m) at most. Pick up after your dog. They are not allowed at the waterfall, so leave your dog behind for that stop.
Before you leave
- Check the official Santa Monica Mountains alerts page for temporary closures and warnings.
- Confirm the fenced area around Keller House is still closed, and plan to view the ruins from the trail.
- Check alerts at home, because phone reception is unreliable in the backcountry.
- Planning other hikes in the range? See Santa Monica Mountains hiking options.
The ruins: Keller House and the Roberts Ranch site
Keller House, damaged in the 2007 fire
Keller House is a stone hunting cabin built more than 100 years ago. A first wooden house on the site burned in 1903, and a stone hunting cabin was rebuilt there afterward.
The 2007 fire badly damaged Keller House. Its stone walls are still visible from the trail, so you can see what is left without leaving the path.
Roberts Ranch House and the Tropical Terrace site
Paul Revere Williams designed Roberts Ranch House in 1952. Fred and Florence Roberts called it Tropical Terrace, a retreat with pools and water in the garden. A fire destroyed the house in 1982.
Stone and brick ruins still stand near the waterfall, on the out-and-back route. Before you leave, check the Mesa Peak Trail map and closure status.
Do not pass the fence around the Roberts Ranch site. The area is closed to the public, even if a gap or an open gate looks like an invitation.
The stone and brick walls were weakened by the fire. They can fall, so do not climb on them, lean on them, or move the stones.
The waterfall often runs as a trickle, so set expectations
The waterfall sits just past the Roberts Ranch ruins, at the end of Solstice Canyon Trail. Solstice Creek runs all year, but the fall can be only a thin trickle, so don’t expect a big plunge.
The trail to the waterfall runs through a streamside corridor of oaks and sycamores. Those trees give shade, so the walk stays cooler even when water is low.
Expect a trickle or a full flow
After a dry spell
Expect little water. The falls often run as a thin trickle, and the creek crossings are easy to step over.
After heavy rain
The flow rises, so the creek crossings get deeper and faster. Check the park alerts first: after strong storms, the park can close trails for safety.
For the best timing after rain, see which Los Angeles hikes hold up best in late winter and spring.
Pick your route by what you want to see. The out-and-back is the easier choice for the ruins and the waterfall, with the least climbing. For the ocean view, take the loop and accept the steeper climb.
Before you go, check the official alerts page for closures, and plan more time than the walk itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Solstice Canyon hike suitable for children?
Yes, the main trail suits children. It is rated easy to moderate and climbs gently to the ruins and the waterfall. The narrow sections and stream crossings need care, so hold small children’s hands there. Bring enough water.
Can you hike Solstice Canyon at night?
No, Solstice Canyon is a daytime hike. The parking lot closes at sunset, so you must finish the walk and be back at your car before then.
Start early enough to finish in daylight, with time to see the ruins and the falls.
Is there cell phone reception on the Solstice Canyon trail?
Reception depends on your carrier, and it is unreliable in the backcountry, where this trail runs.
Don’t count on your phone for calls or maps once you leave the parking lot. Download your map and check the park alerts at home before you set out.
What should you bring on the Solstice Canyon hike?
Bring enough water, and more on hot days. If you bring a dog, keep it on a leash of 6 feet at most and pick up after it. Wear sturdy shoes and a hat for the sun.
