Echo Cliffs or Malibu Creek (LA Sport Climbing Recommendations)

Hey everyone, A group of friends are visiting me in LA and were considering going to the Santa Monica Mountains area for some sport climbing. All who are coming are pretty new to climbing, but one of my friends and I have little more experience under our belt [Joshua Tree, Holcomb Valley]. For people who are beginner climbers, what area would you recommend going to? I'll even consider non-Santa Monica mountain areas as long as they are an hour or so from the LA area. Any help would be awesome.

Both are very enjoyable areas to climb at. With that being said though, keep in mind that to get to any of the climbs at Malibu (minus the planet of the apes wall) you have to do the traverse across water. It is an easy traverse but can be kind of tricky for newer climbs? Echo is also probably a little easier to locate climbs in, as you just follow the wall until you hit the climbs you want.

Saddle Peak has a few good lines along with a short approach and is in your neck of the woods.

Texas Canyon is a good place for beginners.... some really EZ stuff on the south side.

Or try Stoney Point, for TR action, bouldering and partying.