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1950 Map of Malibu Beach

Name: 1950 Topographic Map of Malibu Beach
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1994
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1994

About this map

The Santa Monica Mountains meet the Pacific Ocean in this mid-century look at one of California’s most recognizable coastal landscapes. Centered on the mouth of Malibu Creek, the terrain transitions from the steep canyons of Saddle Peak and Calabasas Peak down to the shoreline stretches of Amarillo Beach and Carbon Beach. The map documents the early institutional footprint of the area, featuring the grounds of Soka University, Pepperdine University, and the Sérra Retreat.

Away from the coast, the rugged interior is defined by canyons like Triunfo Creek and Cold Creek, where smaller residential pockets such as Monte Nido and Malibu Bowl are situated. Large landholdings and recreational sites, including Century Ranch and the Salvation Army Camp, highlight a period when the mountain interior was a mix of private ranching and organized retreat camps before the intensification of suburban development.