One of the most beautiful and untouched areas in the Santa Monica Mountains, Nicholas Pond features stunning coastline views, oak groves and a grassy meadow, but the highlight is the destination itself: a seasonal pond teeming with birdlife.

Located off of Decker Canyon Road in the outskirts of Malibu, the pond can be reached from two directions. One way is from Decker School Road that encompasses a short journey through a woodsy creek.

This more difficult and officially marked path begins on the opposite end of the day use parking area in Leo Carrillo State Beach, which is located about 28 miles from Santa Monica on the Pacific Coast Highway, and is geared more toward those who are seeking a good workout and are already in reasonable shape.

From the clearly marked Nicholas Flat Trailhead, this challenging path climbs steadily upward for nearly three miles before reaching the sandstone ridges overlooking the coastline. Ocean views and the strong scent of California sage carried by powerful winds make the climb memorable. However, a lack of shade and the steady three-mile incline make bringing extra water and head protection a good idea.

The second and easier path begins at a dead end road and entails a woodsy traipse through a shaded canopy of creek side oaks to an open meadow favored by local deer.  

To get to this trailhead from Calabasas take the 101 Freeway north and exit on Kanan Road. Turn left on Kanan Road to head south toward the coastline.

After about six miles, turn right onto Mulholland Highway. Follow the highway and veer right onto Encinal Canyon Road before making another right onto Lachusa Road in about three-and-half miles. Take the first left onto Decker Canyon Road and look for Decker School Road, which will be just past Decker School Lane in less than 500 feet.

Park at the dead end at Decker School Road and go past the gate marked with the no parking sign, and not the wooden frame. To reach the pond, follow the main path for close to a third-of-a-mile and take a right at the first split, and then a left at the next juncture.

On my last visit to the area, I came in via Decker School Road avoiding the longer drive and harder climb. The path immediately takes one along a creek whose banks are rich in foliage. Leaves dangling from gnarled branches of coastal oaks became laminated in hues of orange and gold, emblazoned by beams of sunlight which also silhouetted the trees’ appendages, causing them to resemble shadowy lightning bolts darting overhead.  

Beyond the canopy of oak and into the open meadow, a pastoral scene awaited. Recent rains that had rendered the ground muddy and clay-like in the shade also infused the landscape in vibrant shades of green.  The faint harmony of birds singing drifted across the grassy expanse from the pond’s calm water.

Drawing closer, I could hear a congruence of thousands of birds echoing their songs from in between the oaks, sumac and cattails surrounding Nicholas Pond.

To the south side of the water, large rock formations jutted out from in between the oaks. Taking a short side trail around the pond, I headed toward them, noting the richness of plant life; yarrow, sage, cowboy cologne, laurel sumac, holly berries, a cotton relative and occasional delicate blossoms all flourished here, some in the shelter of nearby oaks.

Other trails unfurled into the thick brush, but I followed the main path to the left toward the ocean, which delved into another oak grove as it twisted its way to the stony stalwarts in a short distance. Reaching the edge, I scrambled up the boulders for a little exploring and to catch the sunset, which I recommend.

It’s a double-sided vantage point as the pond lay below. As rosy hues crept into the sky, I abandoned my post above the Pacific to take in the emerging swaths of pink now blazing above, reflected also in the perfectly still water.

The serenity was uninterrupted but for the hullabaloo of wild things, mostly unseen birds squawking and clamoring as the evening sun sunk from the blue.

Walking back through the darkening field, I made out the shapes of deer, who had ventured out in the open to graze, and the expansive wings of hawks above, their bodies plunging to earth as they hunted the dusk for their warm-blooded dinners.