Solstice Canyon in Malibu

Everything in this slideshow was taken in Solstice Canyon over an 8 month period before the 2007 fire. I hike this almost daily. Still a great place even after the fire.
If anyone has more pictures of the Tropical Terrace home before it burned in 1982, or where more can be found,( I know it was featured in an issue of Architectural Digest back in the 50's but I don't know the issue # and date) then please contact me in the "Comments" section. Thanks! Fulltime5er

Solstice Canyon—a place where nature greets you with the sights and sounds of a babbling brook set amidst towering alder and sycamore trees. Green leaves surround you like a giant cocoon, even in hot, dry summers, filling you with a sense of peace and solitude.
The solitude, serenity, and abundant natural resources have attracted people to Solstice Canyon for centuries. The Chumash historically used the land for food, water and shelter.
Ranchers grazed cattle in the area for many years. Around 1865, Matthew Keller built a stone cottage, which is still visible from Solstice Canyon Trail. The cottage is believed to be the oldest existing stone building in Malibu.
Another home was built on the property in 1952. Renowned African-American architect Paul Williams designed the house for property owners Fred and Florence Roberts. The house was later featured in an issue of Architectural Digest for its stunning blend of natural features within the design, including waterfalls, creeks and trees. Today, you can see a small part of the past in the horseshoes and colorful pieces of glass glittering in the walkways at Tropical Terrace, near the building's foundations.
SOLSTIT r a i l s
Dry Canyon Trail 1.2 miles round trip, easy—Don't let the name fool you—this canyon isn't always dry.Walk through woodlands next to an intermittent stream. Look for signs of wildlife, including deer, quail and bobcat. At the end of the trail, winter rains bring a 150-foot waterfall to life.
TRW Loop Trail 1.5 miles round trip, easy—Begin at the trailhead across from the bulletin board. Continue past where the TRW Buildings were before the 2007 fire, through chaparral and an oak woodland. Cross Solstice Canyon Trail by the bridge to connect with the southern portion of the loop. From the picnic area, the trail follows the road back to the parking lot.
Solstice Canyon Trail 2.1 miles round trip, easy—Stroll down Solstice Canyon Trail and look for the Keller House, believed to be the oldest existing stone building in Malibu. On your way to Tropical Terrace, see if you can spy the low concrete
retaining walls of a former fish pond in a grassy area overlooking the creek. Many other clues to the past remain even though the Roberts' Family home, once located at Tropical Terrace, burned in 1982. Look for house foundations and a concrete bomb shelter.Walk across the creek into a hidden sanctuary and garden. It's hard to imagine now, but at one time giraffes, camels, buffalo, African deer and exotic birds roamed the canyon on the Roberts' Ranch.
Rising Sun Trail 1.5 miles, moderate—This trail is believed to be named after the Rising Sun Vineyard, a winery established by Matthew Keller.
Consider hiking the trail as a loop in conjunction with Solstice Canyon Trail for a variety of scenery from canyon floor to ridgeline. Look for a postcard perfect view of the ocean framed by the canyon walls.
Sostomo Trail/Deer Valley Loop 3.9 miles, moderate to strenuous—Locate the trailhead off of Solstice Canyon Trail, southwest of Tropical Terrace. Hike through chaparral and coastal sage scrub to the west ridge of Solstice Canyon to see
some of the best ocean views in the Santa Monica Mountains. Look for "Deer Valley," an area near an oak woodland and meadow known for its abundance of wildlife.