This past December we headed out on a last-minute Point Mugu State Park camping trip to complete our 2023 goal of spending 20 nights under the stars. Though I’d never visited this park before, I had high hopes given its prime location and the beautiful weather we were expecting (thank God for mild Southern California winters). Here’s a recap of our weekend spent soaking up the beauty of the Pacific Ocean and Santa Monica Mountains.
An Introduction to Point Mugu State Park
Point Mugu State Park sits unassumingly on the western edge of the Santa Monica Mountains and is easy to miss if you’re not paying attention. However, this humble park off of Highway 1 has a lot to brag about. It boasts widely diverse landscapes, including five miles of beaches, rolling mountains, jagged peaks, sand dunes, and river canyons. It also features several camping opportunities, perfect for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and reset in nature. And at only fifty miles outside of Los Angeles, it’s hard to believe how close this unspoiled scenery is to one of the largest urban centers in the world.
Friday
Set Up Camp at Thornhill Broome Campground
We arrived at Thornhill Broome Campground Friday afternoon and quickly set up camp while there was still daylight. As one of the few campgrounds in Southern California located on the beach, pitching our tents on the sand right next to the Pacific Ocean was a special experience.
Logistically, it’s important to note that each reservation includes eight guests and three cars. The reservation fee covers the cost of one car – others are $12 each. Also, 31 feet is the maximum combined length of trailers and vehicles. Because the campground is so close to the ocean, it sometimes is subject to flooding, so check the conditions or contact a park ranger beforehand. In terms of amenities, you’ll have a picnic table and fire ring at your site, as well as access to potable water and portable toilets. And in case you forgot to bring some, firewood is also available on-site for purchase.
Like most campgrounds, this one isn’t perfect. First off, there’s no privacy between campsites. Pacific Coast Highway is also nearby, so expect to see and hear vehicles often during the daytime. Still, camping on a beautiful Malibu beach greatly outweighed any minor annoyances we experienced.
The rest of our party arrived as the sun set over the horizon. Once they got settled in, we strung some twinkling lights across our tents to give the site more personality. We then cooked dinner and enjoyed the warmth of a campfire as the stars began to shimmer above us. Finally, we retreated to our sleeping bags and were lulled asleep by the rhythmic crashing waves.
Saturday
We had a slow Saturday morning, sleeping in and enjoying the peacefulness of the Pacific Ocean. However, we didn’t want to relax all day as we had plans to explore the park’s more rugged and mountainous terrain. By mid-morning, we laced on our hiking shoes and were ready to go.
Hiking the Backbone Trail
A short two-minute drive from Thornhill Broome campground is the Ray Miller Trailhead, which doubles as the western terminus of the Backbone Trail. An all-day parking pass normally costs $12, but luckily our campground reservation covered the fee. Here, you’ll find a trash can, potable water, and portable restrooms.
The Backbone Trail is a 67-mile-long hiking trail across the Santa Monica Mountains, from Point Mugu State Park to Will Rodgers State Historic Park. It features gorgeous ocean views, rolling mountain vistas, and miles of untouched Southern California flora and fauna. Unfortunately, completing a thru-hike is a logistical challenge due to a lack of available campsites (dispersed camping is not allowed in the Santa Monica Mountains). Hopefully, things will change soon to help those looking to backpack the entire trail. As for us, we were only looking to hike a short section.
We started climbing almost immediately and were graced with jaw-dropping vistas of the Malibu coastline and the mountains. We quickly worked up a sweat but didn’t mind as each step brought more and more impressive views. Soon we could make out Channel Islands National Park’s Anacapa and Santa Cruz Islands poking out of the Pacific Ocean. After 2.5 miles of near-constant uphill hiking, the trail leveled out giving us a much-needed break.
At mile 2.7, we turned right to start on a small loop along the Overlook Trail. While the ocean was no longer visible, the mountain views we now had were equally as gorgeous. In the distance were several summits, including Boney Peak and Sandstone Peak.
Hiking clockwise, the ocean revealed itself to us once again. Finally, just after mile four, we faced our last uphill section of the hike. After a short but brutal climb, we returned to the Backbone Trail and completed the loop. All that was left for us now was to enjoy the downhill hike back to our cars, soaking in the beauty around us.
For a full recap of this hike, check out my Backbone and Overlook Trail Loop Trail Guide.
Enjoying the Beach
We returned to our campsite mid-afternoon and quickly changed into swim trunks. Sweaty and sore from the hike, we jumped into the ocean to wash off the trail grime and cool down. If you’re looking to luxuriate a little more, you can drive about 1.5 miles south on Highway 1 to Sycamore Canyon Campground for token-operated showers. Once we had our fill of the ocean, we laid out on the sand and relaxed before getting ready for dinner.
Bonfire on the Sand
No Point Mugu State Park camping experience would be complete without a bonfire at night! As one of only a handful of beaches in Southern California that allows fires, we were excited to take advantage of this rare opportunity. Just before sunset, we stacked the firewood and quickly got the flames going.
We prepared hotdogs and kebabs for dinner and cooked them over the open flames. Munching on our meals as night fell, we gathered close around the campfire to stay warm. With the stars and moon reflecting off the Pacific ocean, and the radiant heat from the flames, it was the perfect ending to a magical day.
Sunday
Tearing Down our Point Mugu State Park Camping Paradise
It was hard to get out of the tent Sunday morning, as it meant that our time camping at Point Mugu State Park was coming to a close. However, we needed to leave by our noon check-out, so we started preparing a simple breakfast and tearing down camp. As we packed the car, we did our best to keep as much sand out as possible. Once everything was stowed away, we soaked up one last view of the Pacific Ocean and drove off.
Cost Breakdown
Here’s the cost breakdown of our weekend, minus food, transportation, and camping equipment expenses. Note that all-day parking throughout the park costs $12, but is waived if you have a campsite reservation. Just make sure to display proof of purchase!
Total: $77.99
As you can see, you can spend an epic weekend in Malibu for a fraction of the cost of a hotel or Airbnb.
Our time at Point Mugu State Park camping on the beach was magical! We can’t wait to come back and explore some of the highlights we missed, like Mugu Rock and the Giant Sand Dune. For another trip report, read about our weekend camping in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park! And if you’re feeling inspired to get outside, please reach out! From built-for-you itineraries to beginning-to-end trip guidance, we’re here to help make your dream outdoor adventure a reality!
