Nature

PHOTO: ANDREW HALL

From the creek to the northern border of the park, much of the area is oak savannah: sloping grassland dotted with valley oak trees—some of the southernmost of the California valley oaks. Sycamores also grow in abundance – especially in lower Tapia Park. Many of the slopes are covered with chaparral—a mixture of drought resistant, fire-adapted shrubs. A line of redwood trees thrives today in the park in a climate that would typically be too warm to support them. In 1910, they were wisely planted beside Century Lake to give them a plentiful water supply and shade from the Goat Buttes they grow below keeps them from getting too hot.

All Creatures Great & Small

From Owls to Oak Trees

The best wildflowers are found in the oak woodlands south of Mulholland Drive in the northwest area of the park, along the road to the lake, and along Las Virgenes Creek in the northern Liberty Canyon area. From the campground, visitors will find easy access to oak woodlands over Tapia Spur Trail. For a real challenge, visitors can try the Bulldog-Mesa Peak Loop. The Tapia Park section is a preserve of old oaks with a beautiful view of rocky peaks to the west, with wildflowers along the stream and under the trees. A trail that connects Tapia to Malibu Creek State Park has a variety of flowers and shrubs.

"Lions and tigers and bears - oh my!" -The Wizard of Oz

Well, one out of three ain't bad, but it's a junior lion, the mountain lion, that roams here. Here's what else you may find:

Reptiles & amphibians: salamanders, newts, toads, frogs, turtles, lizards and snakes including the Southern Pacific Rattlesnake

Birds: loons, boobies, cormorants, herons, egrets, vultures, geese, ducks, hawks, eagles, falcons, quails, terns, hummingbirds, woodpeckers, owls, ravens, larks, sparrows, cranes, thrush, bluebirds, wrens and swallows

Mammals: bats, raccoons, skunks, badgers, coyotes, foxes, bobcats, mountain lions, squirrels, chipmunks, gophers, mice, voles, rabbits and deer.

Animals