1950 Map of Malibu Beach

About this map

Malibu Beach and the rugged canyon landscapes of the Santa Monica Mountains are depicted here during a period of early development and established ranching. The Pacific Coast Highway hugs the shoreline, providing access to coastal pockets like Las Flores (Malibu PO) and El Nido, while inland the terrain is defined by deep drainages such as Malibu Creek and Topanga Canyon. Settlement patterns show a mix of institutional use and private landholdings, with locations like the Salvation Army Camp, Tapia Park, and Century Ranch scattered among the hills. Higher elevations are marked by landmarks like Saddle Peak and Calabasas Pk, overlooking a network of mountain roads including the Mulholland Highway. This 1950 survey, field-checked just as the region began its post-war growth, captures the early footprint of mountain communities like Monte Nido and Malibu Bowl before more modern suburban expansion transformed the interior canyons.