What we’re about
Our vision is to create a network of outdoors enthusiasts to share our adventures, to learn from, to have fun with, and to create life long friends. We hike in the Santa Monica Mountains. This is a non profit organization and we will be donating back to the community by having beach cleanups. Our group is also committed to protecting the special places we hike. Our new conservation effort seeks to protect threatened areas in the local mountains through fun and easy actions we can take. Have fun Hiking and hope to see you soon!
OUR GROUPS YouTube Videos:
http://www.youtube.com/user/SantaMonicaHiking
We'll hike to the MASH Site & then go to the 🪕🎻**Topanga Banjo Fiddle Festival** for 🍔 Food, 🎵 Music, 🕺💃🏽Dancing and 😜Shenannigans!
HURRY! For limited time & limited quantiy of Tickets at $30 each (plus a nominal fee) using code [2025SMHCBANJOFUNDAY]. Normally $50, they gave us a generous discount. Buy tickets HERE
*** IMPORTANT: You will see a list of different ticket prices. Scroll down and select the one that says Santa Monica Hiking Club, otherwise you'll pay full price.***
STOP 1) MALIBU CREEK STATE PARK is where they filmed MASH, "Planet of the Apes" and a gazillion other movies...Click HERE for MASH VIDEO
- Google Maps to Malibu Creek State Park HERE
- START TIME: We usually wait 15 minutes grace, but please try to arrive early.
- DISTANCE: We'll be hiking ~ 4 1/2 miles ROUND-TRIP to the MASH filming site. Slight elevation gain. GREAT FOR BEGINNERS!!!
- ELEVATION: 358 ft
- PARKING: FEE AREA - it was $12 last time I was there. Park in the 2nd BIGGER Lot. Not the first lot.
- FREE PARKING: Alternately, arrive 15 - 20 minutes earlier to park on the corner of Mulholland & Las Virgenes / Malibu Canyon & walk in.
- *MORE FREE PARKING: California public library-card holders can check out the California State Library Parks Pass via their local public library. See link for details!
- **MORE FREE PARKING: Park at King Gillete Ranch for the Banjo Festival for FREE. Then walk across the Street. LINK for details.
- MEETING LOCATION: Meet at the Picnic Bench / Restroom in the 2nd BIGGER Lower Parking lot. Google Maps Here
- WHERE TO FIND US: Look for the large group of people by the bathroom.
- CELL SERVICE: 📞 very few bars.
- RESTROOMS: FlushToilets and Sink with Running Water
- DOGS: We love Fido, but sadly, no Dogs allowed on Hiking Trails in State Parks
- WHAT TO BRING: BRING 3 LITERS OF WATER, A HAT, SUNSCREEN, COMFORTABLE SHOES, SNACKS, WARM CLOTHES, MITTENS OR GLOVES, LIGHT JACKET
- All Trails – Link
🌵⭐️🌎🌵⭐️🌎🌵⭐️🌎🌵⭐️🌎🌵⭐️🌎
STOP 2) Walk to 🪕🎻TOPANGA BANJO FIDDLE FESTIVAL🪕🎻AT KING GILLETE RANCH.
- Google Map: to King Gillette Ranch HERE
- WALK: Leave your car and walk (.08 miles/15 minutes) to King Gillete Ranch.
- OR Park at King GIllete Ranch: Parking is Free.
- 🛑GROUP PRICE FOR FIDDLE FEST!!!🛑🛑
- Limited # of Tickets. First come, first served.
- $30.00 + Fees. (Use the Code [2025SMHCBANJOFUNDAY] & Order Tickets EARLY)
- *** IMPORTANT: You will see a list of different ticket prices. Scroll down and select the one that says Santa Monica Hiking Club, otherwise you'll pay full price.***
- BANJO / FIDDLE FEST WEBSITE https://www.topangabanjofiddle.org/
FOOD / LIVE BANDS / SHANANIGANS
- FIVE STAGES with live performances, exhibitions, food trucks, artisans, jamming, workshops, and a children’s instrument petting zoo area.
- FOOD: Bring your own picnic or buy from food trucks on site. Craft Beer for sale. Vegan options available.
- BRING LOW-BACK CHAIRS - ICE CHEST OK!!
- DOGS: DOGS ON LEASH
- SHADE: You can bring in a shade structure as long as it doesn't interfere with another activity or jamming group. If it’s a large shade structure, a TBFC Board Member will need to approve the location. We reserve the right to ask you to relocate any shade structure upon request.
- HIKE LEADER: Andy
- CoLEADERS: Peggy, Dean and Steve
- SWEEPER: Eric Belle
*** 🟣🟣🟣 When we get to KING GILLETTE RANCH, we’re going to congregate by the main stage somewhere… (probably near the back of the audience). The entire area is about the size of a football field and there will be a bunch of stages, concession stands, pop-up shops and food trucks… OK to bring ice chests, chairs / blankets… you’ll probably want to meander around.
*********KEN STEIGERS VIDEO OF PREVIOUS YEARS BANJO-FEST!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RuwaJ789HE
*This is a John classic!
Upcoming events (2)
See all- 💦💧 Easter at Switzer Waterfall / Mexican food at Los Gringos 💦💧Switzer Picnic Area, Altadena, CA
SWITZER FALLS HAS RE-OPENED AND WE'RE HIKING THERE ON EASTER SUNDAY!!!
5 MILE HIKE ROUND TRIP alongside a stream... Beautiful waterfall at the end.
Approximately 800 feet of gain total. Not a difficult hike.
Weather predicted to be in the 70s.
BRING PLENTY OF WATER!!!I was there last weekend and was able to cross most of the streams by rock hopping but I did opt to walk straight through the water on a few of them. Your feet may get wet... change of shoes for afterward and poles (maybe just one) are not a bad idea.
Parking can be be TRICKY so you may have to park in the upper parking lot, the parking area (limited) on one of the switchbacks heading down the road to the trailhead or on the street. I was able to find a spot in the lower lot, but if you can't, give yourself an extra 20 minutes or so to find parking, then walk down the road to the meeting spot.
MEET AT LOWER LOT BETWEEN THE RESTROOM AND THE BRIDGE
IF YOU LEAVE THE WEST SIDE BY 10:30 AM you should have time to park and walk down to the trailhead
Map to Switzer FallsBring a snack and water... we'll stop for a snack-break and to take pics etc...
DOGS OK ON LEASH!!!
VIDEO OF HIKE THERE:
Switzer Falls with SMHC March 2014YOU NEED AN ADVENTURE PASS (one per vehicle / $5 per DAY pass) and can be purchased at the Shell station at the 210 and Angeles Crest Highway BUT!!! if you don't have a pass, the fine is only $5...
FOOD AT LOS GRINGOS LOCOS MEXICAN RESTAURANT AFTER HIKE
631 Foothill Blvd, La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011
Map to Los Gringos
Los Gringos Locos Menu - 🌵⭐️🌎 MALIBU CREEK ST PK/ M*A*S*H*/ 🪕🎻BANJO FIDDLE FEST @ KING GILLETTE RANCHMalibu Creek State Park Trailhead SMHC, Calabasas, CA
We'll hike to the MASH Site & then go to the 🪕🎻**Topanga Banjo Fiddle Festival** for 🍔 Food, 🎵 Music, 🕺💃🏽Dancing and 😜Shenannigans!
HURRY! For limited time & limited quantiy of Tickets at $30 each (plus a nominal fee) using code [2025SMHCBANJOFUNDAY]. Normally $50, they gave us a generous discount. Buy tickets HERE
*** IMPORTANT: You will see a list of different ticket prices. Scroll down and select the one that says Santa Monica Hiking Club, otherwise you'll pay full price.***STOP 1) MALIBU CREEK STATE PARK is where they filmed MASH, "Planet of the Apes" and a gazillion other movies...Click HERE for MASH VIDEO
- Google Maps to Malibu Creek State Park HERE
- START TIME: We usually wait 15 minutes grace, but please try to arrive early.
- DISTANCE: We'll be hiking ~ 4 1/2 miles ROUND-TRIP to the MASH filming site. Slight elevation gain. GREAT FOR BEGINNERS!!!
- ELEVATION: 358 ft
- PARKING: FEE AREA - it was $12 last time I was there. Park in the 2nd BIGGER Lot. Not the first lot.
- FREE PARKING: Alternately, arrive 15 - 20 minutes earlier to park on the corner of Mulholland & Las Virgenes / Malibu Canyon & walk in.
- *MORE FREE PARKING: California public library-card holders can check out the California State Library Parks Pass via their local public library. See link for details!
- **MORE FREE PARKING: Park at King Gillete Ranch for the Banjo Festival for FREE. Then walk across the Street. LINK for details.
- MEETING LOCATION: Meet at the Picnic Bench / Restroom in the 2nd BIGGER Lower Parking lot. Google Maps Here
- WHERE TO FIND US: Look for the large group of people by the bathroom.
- CELL SERVICE: 📞 very few bars.
- RESTROOMS: FlushToilets and Sink with Running Water
- DOGS: We love Fido, but sadly, no Dogs allowed on Hiking Trails in State Parks
- WHAT TO BRING: BRING 3 LITERS OF WATER, A HAT, SUNSCREEN, COMFORTABLE SHOES, SNACKS, WARM CLOTHES, MITTENS OR GLOVES, LIGHT JACKET
- All Trails – Link
🌵⭐️🌎🌵⭐️🌎🌵⭐️🌎🌵⭐️🌎🌵⭐️🌎
STOP 2) Walk to 🪕🎻TOPANGA BANJO FIDDLE FESTIVAL🪕🎻AT KING GILLETE RANCH.
- Google Map: to King Gillette Ranch HERE
- WALK: Leave your car and walk (.08 miles/15 minutes) to King Gillete Ranch.
- OR Park at King GIllete Ranch: Parking is Free.
- 🛑GROUP PRICE FOR FIDDLE FEST!!!🛑🛑
- Limited # of Tickets. First come, first served.
- $30.00 + Fees. (Use the Code [2025SMHCBANJOFUNDAY] & Order Tickets EARLY)
- *** IMPORTANT: You will see a list of different ticket prices. Scroll down and select the one that says Santa Monica Hiking Club, otherwise you'll pay full price.***
- BANJO / FIDDLE FEST WEBSITE https://www.topangabanjofiddle.org/
FOOD / LIVE BANDS / SHANANIGANS
- FIVE STAGES with live performances, exhibitions, food trucks, artisans, jamming, workshops, and a children’s instrument petting zoo area.
- FOOD: Bring your own picnic or buy from food trucks on site. Craft Beer for sale. Vegan options available.
- BRING LOW-BACK CHAIRS - ICE CHEST OK!!
- DOGS: DOGS ON LEASH
- SHADE: You can bring in a shade structure as long as it doesn't interfere with another activity or jamming group. If it’s a large shade structure, a TBFC Board Member will need to approve the location. We reserve the right to ask you to relocate any shade structure upon request.
- HIKE LEADER: Andy
- CoLEADERS: Peggy, Dean and Steve
- SWEEPER: Eric Belle
*** 🟣🟣🟣 When we get to KING GILLETTE RANCH, we’re going to congregate by the main stage somewhere… (probably near the back of the audience). The entire area is about the size of a football field and there will be a bunch of stages, concession stands, pop-up shops and food trucks… OK to bring ice chests, chairs / blankets… you’ll probably want to meander around.
*********KEN STEIGERS VIDEO OF PREVIOUS YEARS BANJO-FEST!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RuwaJ789HE*This is a John classic!
