Solstice Canyon is a fun trail with great views and plenty of cool things to see.  We will hike the loop counterclockwise up the Sostomo trail and then the Deer Valley Loop.   This area has great views of the ocean and canyon below.  Depending on the weather we can have lunch at the top of the Deer Valley loop.  It’s a great spot to stop and soak in the views but sometimes can be very hot.  If it’s too hot we will eat below in Solstice Canyon near the water.

Getting the hard part of the hike out of the way early, we will be heading downhill from there.  At the base of the Deer Valley loop we will find the waterfall and the ruins of a house built in the 1950’s by a famous architect.  It burned and was never rebuilt, eventually becoming part of the Santa Monica Mounts NRA.  What remains offers a shady and cool place to take a break and explore the falls.

Then as we head back along the shaded trail through Solstice Canyon itself, we will pass the Keller House, which burned in a wildfire, but the stone walls are still intact.  This is one of the oldest remaining structures in Malibu.

What to bring: water, sunscreen, hat, sturdy shoes (hiking boots or trail running shoes are recommended), hiking poles, day pack or hydration pack with a 3 liter water capacity, an additional bottle containing electrolytes is highly recommended.  Bring plenty of snacks and lunch. Check out our Recommended Gear list here

Location: Santa Monica Mountains NRA

Length: 6.3 Miles

Elevation Gain: 1,880 feet

Peak Elevation: 1.260 Feet

Difficulty: Level 1-2

Permits: None Required

Lunch: Yes 

Dogs: Yes on leash

Sign up here and we will put you into the RDY Hiking Group WhatsApp chat.