Solstice Canyon

Located in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, Solstice Canyon has long been a special place. The Chumash tribe of Native Americans came here for water, food, and shelter. During California's pioneer days, ranchers grazed their cattle here. It is a natural haven from the elements and a trove of natural resources that is now protected as part of the world's largest urban national park.

It may have been the solitude and serenity of Solstice Canyon that caused Matthew Keller to build a stone cottage here in 1865. Despite its destruction in the 2007 Corral Fire, the structure is the oldest existing stone building in the Malibu area, and its charred stone walls can be seen across the stream when hiking along the Solstice Canyon Trail.

The foundations of another interesting building are located here, too the 1952 home of Fred and Florence Roberts, designed by renowned African-American architect Paul Williams. From 1961 to 1973, 10 acres of the Roberts' land was used for testing satellite equipment used in space missions, such as Pioneer 12, and remnants of the science facilities still remain.

Since 1988, Solstice Canyon has been managed by the National Park Service and open to the public as a place to escape from city life. The entrance is located at the intersection of Solstice Canyon Road and Corral Canyon Road in Malibu, California 90265. There are currently no entrance or exit fees, and the area is open year-round.