Cameron Nature Preserve

The pigs that once roamed Puerco Canyon are long gone. Now known as Cameron Nature Preserve, the area is a peaceful and pristine swath of public parkland linking hundreds of acres between Corral Canyon to the north with Malibu Creek State Park and the 67.5-mile Backbone Trail to the east. Its three central watersheds and diverse ecosystem of chaparral, coastal sage scrub and native grasslands attract mule deer, gray foxes and the occasional bobcat and mountain lion.

A short but steady climb along a wide fire road leads to two benches, half a mile apart, that enhance a visitor’s experience in this special place. The expansive views not only take in the Pacific Ocean and Malibu coast but also the network of trails and hillsides that are now accessible from this formerly private land. Wildfires are an inevitable reality in this area, and the ever-changing landscape serves as a fascinating blueprint for recovery and growth.

Robert Yoshio Nagata Park Bench
Robert Yoshio Nagata Park image of trail
Robert Yoshio Nagata Park image of trail
Robert Yoshio Nagata Park image of hills and ocean

Cameron Nature Preserve 34°02'39.7"N 118°43'34.7"W – from bench

    • Follow Pacific Coast Highway north toward Malibu. Approximately 3.5 miles north of the Malibu Pier, turn right into the driveway before Malibu Seafood. Parking lot is on the right. 

    • The MTA 134 bus line (Santa Monica-Malibu) stops near the parking lot entrance. For updates and schedules, visit metro.net.

    • 25623 Pacific Coast Highway, across from Dan Blocker State Beach; there is a parking lot ($12 per car) next to the trailhead and free parking along PCH (be sure to park behind the white lines and heed the signs). 

    • Picnic tables and port-a-potties are available at trailhead. Dan Blocker State Beach is across the highway.

  • From Corral Canyon Trailhead:

    • The bench sits approximately 0.6 mile from the Sara Wan Trailhead trail and the unmarked Puerco Canyon Motorway connector trail. 

    • Begin your hike at the Sara Wan Trailhead at the northeast corner of the parking lot.

    • The trail descends to cross seasonal Corral Creek, then veers to the left (away from PCH). For the clockwise loop, continue left at the Y and follow the single-track trail north into the canyon. This takes you on a moderate 2.5 mile loop with gradual elevation gains that leads back to the creek and parking lot. 

    • For the counterclockwise loop, turn right at the Y after the creek and follow it uphill approximately 0.6 mile to the bench. From here, the loop trail winds north into the canyon for about 1 mile before veering south and back to the parking lot.