The Grotto
in the Santa Monica Mountains
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This 3.5-mile out-and-back hike visits a unique destination on the west side of the Malibu. From the main parking area for Circle X Ranch in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, walk down the access road down to a small group campsite and pick up the single track, which descends to a narrow bolder-filled canyon that houses an interesting grotto. Along the way, the trail passes in and out of shade as it follows a small creek down the mountain. In the spring, wildflowers are plentiful, and the warm weather will encourage you to splash around in the grotto.
The trail beneath Circle X Ranch and Exchange Peak
The trail comes to a sudden end as the creek, the West Fork of the Arroyo Sequit, passes through and beneath large rocks. Continue downstream, passing over the rocks. The water can be seen between the boulders some ten feet below. There are a couple openings where you can get down between the rocks and explore the grotto. Continuing over the rocks, to the point where the creek makes its exit. This is the end of the hike. At the base of the grotto, water tumbles off a rock like a shower head, dropping twelve feet into an enclosed pool. Here a ring of shallow water around a tall boulder creates a tube-like semi-circular cave.
The Grotto
The grotto is a great spot for young and old to explore. The back of the grotto is dark and a bit mysterious. Gollum could easily reside here.
A map of the trail to the Grotto
After enjoying the grotto, return along the same trail. This is one of those backwards hikes where you do the uphill hiking on the way out, so you will now be hiking up the 500 feet of elevation between the grotto on the trailhead. Dogs are permitted along the trail, but not allowed over the last 1/8 mile through the grotto itself. No fee or permit is required, so get out and enjoy!
To get to the trailhead: Take PCH to the far west end of Malibu. Make a right on Yerba Buena Road (just past Neptune’s Net Restaurant) and drive up Yerba Buena for 5.5 miles until you arrive at the Circle X Ranch ranger station. Park here and follow the signs to the trailhead.
Click here to view the Circle X Ranch Trail Map courtesy of NPS
Use the map below to create your own directions:
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Nearby Trails
 | Sandstone Peak This 6.25-mile loop summits the tallest peak in the Santa Monica Mountains. |
 | Tri Peaks This 1.2-mile addition to the Sandstone Peak loop adds extra views to the hike (and some great views). |
 | La Jolla Canyon Loop This 11.75-mile hike explores Point Mugu State Park on the west end of the Santa Monica Mountains, offering extraordinary ocean views. |
 | La Jolla Canyon Falls This 1.5-mile hike visits a short seasonal waterfall in Point Mugu State Park (that is also a stop on the larger loop). |
 | More trails in the Santa Monica Mountains Explore beyond Circle X Ranch to other destinations in the range. |
Similar Trails
 | Solstice Canyon This easy and level 2.6-mile out and back hike visits the ruins of a burned down ranch and a small waterfall. |
 | Santa Ynez Falls This 2.5-mile follows a shaded creek to a gorge containing a short waterfall. |
 | Escondido Falls This 3.8-mile out and back visits a 200 foot waterfall that is split into two tiers. The upper tier is 150 feet tall and stunning after a rainstorm. |
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[...] More information: here; trip report here [...]
Props for listing this hike. We took our 3 year olds, which was a bit of a stretch, but they loved the grotto (just not the climb back up). Fun day and sore feet tonight!
[...] http://www.hikespeak.com/trails/grotto-hike-malibu/ [...]
Lets hike….
Can you start the hike at Circle X take the Grotto trail and continue to hike to PCH.
I believe the trail ends at the Grotto.