Malibu Creek State Park

Yes, Angelenos, you can escape city lights and view the Perseid meteor shower at Malibu Creek State Park Campground—so close to the big city, but it feels like it’s a galaxy away.

Nestled in the Santa Monica Mountains, Malibu Creek has low ambient lighting, no fog cover, and no tree cover concerns. Choose a spot right next to the dry, open grassy area—that’s your star-party auditorium. After setting up camp, take a quick sunset stroll down to the creek. As the blue hues morph to fiery pink and red tones, you cannot help but feel in awe of the majesty. When you turn to head back to camp, you might spy a deer grazing in the distance.

After cooking up dinner and some pre–meteor shower s’mores (which you’ve dubbed meteo-s'mores), set up reclining lawn chairs on the large grassy area and wait for the magic to unfold. Dark skies and falling stars will enthrall you. Who needs to sleep?

TIP: Many human stars have trod the trails of Malibu Creek. If you’re looking for a pre-stargazing adventure, be sure to hike to the MASH site, just over two miles from the campground, which features relics from the days when the popular TV show was filmed here.

To reach Malibu Creek State Park, follow Las Virgenes Rd. about 6 miles north from Pacific Coast Hwy. or 3.5 miles south from US-101 in Calabasas. Parking is $3 an hour and $12 for the day. Gates to the park close to noncampers at 10 p.m. Campsites are $45 a night. Though walk-in sites may be available, online reservations through Reserve California are recommended. No dogs on trails, but campground is dog-friendly!