At Malibu Creek State Park, students connect with the local oak woodland ecosystem, discover the plants and wildlife that call it home, and explore how people have interacted with this landscape for thousands of years. We offer a variety of programs with different themes and learning goals—check them out here:
In-Person Field Trip: Guided Nature Walk at Malibu Creek State Park
Explore Malibu Creek State Park with your students on a 3-mile nature walk led by trained volunteer docents and staff. Along the way, students will learn about the park’s unique natural and cultural history. Educators may request specific topics to align with classroom learning, but this field trip is intended to immerse students in exploring the park and connecting with their natural curiosity. Students will carry and eat their lunches on the trail and enjoy our nature center located 1 mile into the park.
Program Type: Guided field trip with accompanying pre-visit lesson sent ahead of the trip.
Grade Level: 3rd–6th grade
Capacity: Up to 65 students
Chaperone Ratio: 1 adult per 10 students
Length of program: Field trip: 120 minutes + Lunch and Commute time
In-Person Field Trip: Oak Woodland Experience at Malibu Creek State Park
Explore Malibu Creek State Park through four stations along our ADA-accessible trail. Guided by volunteer docents and State Park staff, students will engage in a community science activity, learn about the animals in the park, do a mini-nature walk, and learn about the native peoples of Malibu Creek— the people of Ta’lopop. One of these activities can be interchanged with a geology exploration activity.
Program Type: Guided field trip with accompanying pre-visit lesson sent ahead of the trip.
Grade Level: 2nd–6th grade
Capacity: Up to 120 students
Chaperone Ratio: 1 adult per 10 students
Length of program: Field trip: 90 minutes + Lunch and Commute time
In-Person Field Trip: Oak Tree Community Science at Malibu Creek State Park
Students will walk three miles along Malibu Creek, learning about our oak trees and the invasive beetle that is causing tens of thousands of trees to die in Southern California. They will then survey oak trees, collect data, look for the invasive beetles, and share that data with our scientists when they return back to your classroom. Students will carry and eat their lunches on the trail and enjoy our nature center located one mile into the park.
Program Type: Guided field trip with accompanying pre-visit lesson or pre-visit mini unit sent ahead of the trip.
Grade Level: 7th-12th grade
Capacity: Up to 120 students
Chaperone Ratio: 1 adult per 10 students
Length of program: Field trip: 90 minutes + Lunch and Commute time
Self-Guided Field Trip
Bring students and chaperones to create your own adventure at this site. State Parks provides suggestions and some material for you to facilitate this trip. Bus fees can be waived.
Program Type: Self-guided field trip.
Grade Level: K-12th grade
Capacity: 120 students
