Serrano Canyon Hike in Pt Mugu State Park

Serrano Canyon is quite an attractive destination in Pt Mugu State Park in the Santa Monica Mountains. So beautiful in there. It is quickest to get to Serrano Canyon from Malibu but trekkers, runners and cyclists certainly can make their way from the Newbury Park side at Satwiwa/Rancho Sierra Vista.

To get down to Serrano Canyon from the Conejo Valley side, you must meander your way down the steep Sycamore Canyon Fire Road seen above. Have fun and don't think about the challenge of making your way back up this hill later in the day, when the sun is beating down on you! haha

Continue on down Sycamore Canyon Road, pass through the Danielson Multi-Use area, the National Park Service house and the old barn-like structure seen above. You can actually get to Serrano via the Blue Canyon Trail entrance point just east of the Danielson Multi-Use area.

You might catch a deer or two, or three eating breakfast near the trail.Onward down Sycamore Canyon, one of my favorite sites is this porta-a-john, situated in a serene setting next to several picnic benches under a beautiful tree on the right.

A little farther down is the Serrano Canyon Trail trailhead. Two or three miles into this trail and you'll be in Serrano Canyon. Warning...this trail has had some fairly well overgrown sections in my times in there, so definitely be aware and consider long pants. I ran through there and survived in shorts but the poison oak on the sides of the trail were nervewracking enough to make me consider turning back.

Sign signaling the transition into Serrano Valley

There are several pieces of old farm equipment in the canyon. Makes you wonder about the history...There are several ways out of Serrano Canyon but my choice was to follow a trail that loops back around to Sycamore Canyon again, about a mile or so north of the entry point and south of the Danielson Multi-Use area. The map below show the loop above coming from the Malibu side.

Truly a beautiful hike! Check it out if you can!

Oakbrook Vista Trail in Thousand Oaks

The Oakbrook Vista Trail is a relatively easy out and back climb that provides nice panoramic views of the Lang Ranch area of Thousand Oaks. Access to the trail is on south side of Lang Ranch Parkway, just west of Westlake Boulevard. See access point below.

The narrow initial trail up Oakbrook Vista

The first portion is a narrow trail that zig zags its way to a bench, where you can rest and enjoy the views. But I'd estimate this is only 1/4 of a mile, so keep going if you're game!

After the bench, the trail opens up and continues up and up and up and if you reach the top, roughly a mile or so up the hill, you'll be enjoying 360 degree views towards Boney Mountain on the west, Lang Ranch/Woodridge trails on the north and more.

For a trail map and additional information, visit the Conejo Open Space Foundation website at www.cosf.org/website/html/oakbrook-vista-trail.html.

Rancho Potrero Open Space in Newbury Park

The Rancho Potrero Open Space area is located in Newbury Park off of Lynn Road, just east of the intersection with Rancho Dos Vientos. The area includes an equestrian center where Rocking K Horse Rentals is located and is adjacent to the Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa area in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.

Map excerpt courtesy of Conejo Open Space Foundation (www.cosf.org)

There is a paved road at the trailhead where you can find parking off the pavement. A short (1/4 mile) walk up the hill gets you pretty darn nice views looking towards Camarillo and the Channel Islands. Take the adjoining trail east towards Rancho Sierra Vista and the Satwiwa Indian Cultural Center. Enjoy!

View from Lynn Road

About a 1/4 mile gets you to the top of a hill that gives you views as far as the Channel Islands.

And there's a bench at the top of the hill to sit and enjoy the views.

Views looking towards Camarillo down the Potero Grade.Views of Boney Mountain from Lynn Road

Boney Mountain Peak Hike From Newbury Park

At an elevation of 2,825 feet, the presence of Boney Peak (also known at Mount Boney), is felt throughout the Conejo Valley and surrounding areas. Wan't to climb it?

Well you can! It is challenging, but possible. Boney Mountain is located in the Santa Monica Mountains. One way to get to Boney Peak is via the Upper Canyon Trail from the Danielson Monument.

First off, hike your way over to the Danielson Monument, click this link for details. The monument is next to the remains of a burned down cabin shown below.

There is a trail that veers left next to the chimney. This is where you want to go. You're looking at a challenging 2 mile climb to Boney Peak. Most of the trail is narrow single track. There are some really steep, rocky sections, some with deep crevices, that may freak you out. They are definitely challenging, both going up and coming back down. Not for the faint of heart.

The trail is not "officially" maintained by the National Park Service and thus there are NO SIGNS that say, hey, go this way to get to Boney Peak.  But I've seen plenty of people make it up there just fine as the path is fairly obvious. Just stay on the main path.

One thing to note when you think you've reached the top. Look at the picture at the top of this post. To the left of the circled area is a large boulder. This is not the peak. There's a trail to the left behind it that you'll have to go up to get to the actual peak. Again, there are no signs. But you should be able to see the path pretty easily. You will be climbing some sheer rock face to get there. Can be slippery. And standing on the top of Boney can be both exhilerating and scary as hell! So be careful!

How long does it take to get from the trailhead at Wendy and Potrero and back? I'd allow for 4 to 5 hours if you are hiking. If you are a strong runner you can get up to it in as little as an hour (I'm talking top notch runner) to hour and a half., but you will only be able to "run" about half of the trail above the Danielson Monument. The rest is more of a technical hike in and around the rocks, boulders and crevices.

Here's some views you'll be treated to at the top.

Conejo Canyons Bridge and Trails in Thousand Oaks

In 2012, the Conejo Canyons bridge was constructed in Thousand Oaks, opening up more trails to explore in the Western Plateau area of Thousand Oaks, which ties into Wildwood Park. Check the map at www.cosf.org/website/html/western-plateau-hikes.html for trail maps.

Access the Conejo Canyons bridge via Santa Rosa Road. Coming from Thousand Oaks, take Moorpark Road north down the Norwegian Grade, where it intersects with Santa Rosa Road. Continue about 3.7 miles on Santa Rosa Road and make a left on Hill Canyon Road. Drive down Hill Canyon Road and you will see a large, flat dirt parking area on the right.

Sign on Santa Rosa Road at Hill Canyon (coming from Camarillo)Parking area on Hill Canyon Road, as seen from the trail leading to Lizard Rock

Park and you'll see the Conejo Canyons bridge just south, which takes you to the Hill Canyon Trail. Or go west to the steep hill, zig zagging hill that takes you to Lizard Rock in Wildwood Park. The hill is a fun challenge with the kids and you'll be rewarded with great panoramic views towards Boney Mountain, Camarillo, Ojai and Simi.

Conejo Canyons Trail Users Bridge that takes you to the Hill Canyon Trail

 Conejo Canyons Views

Views toward the west

View towards Lizard Rock

Tarantula Hill in Thousand Oaks

Tarantula Hill (also known as Dawn's Peak) is located off of West Gainsborough Road in Thousand Oaks, between Grand Oak Lane and Camino Manzanas. Just park your car by the prominent oak tree and little green sign. I don't know who Dawn is, but allegedly the hill is named after the spiders that inhabit this peak that happens to be the highest point within the Conejo Valley, at about 1,057 feet.

I've seen people run, walk and cycle up the paved service road to the top, where you get treated to panaromic views of the entire Conejo Valley. The cyclist was working it pretty darn hard to get up there...the hill it pretty steep...about a 250 foot climb.

There's a single bench on the west side at the top and a water reservoir fenced in with barbed wire is quite prominent. For a quick dose of views, Tarantula Hill aims to please.

The bench at the top of Tarantula Hill faces west towards Newbury Park.

Tarantula Hills is dedicated open space that is protected by the Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency. Visit www.conejo-openspace.org for more information.

The trailhead on Gainsborough Road

The hill itself is fairly non-descript from Gainsborough Road

Angel Vista Peak in Newbury Park

The 1,530 foot Angel Vista in Newbury Park may well have the most spectacular views of the Conejo Valley (not that we're lacking for great views!). The reason I say this is that not only can you see the entire Conejo Valley, stretching from the Conejo Grade to central Thousand Oaks to Agoura Hills, but you can actually see some of Hidden Valley from here!

Angel Vista can be accessed via the Rosewood Trail off of Lynn Road (just west of Regal Oak Ct) or the Los Robles Trail. The Conejo Open Space Foundation provides a useful map at www.cosf.org/website/html/los-robles-angel-vista.html. There's a bench for your viewing pleasure as well as a picnic table up there.

You'll eventually see this sign if you make the trek up the Rosewood Trail.

The bench is in sight! YESSSSS!!! The views up here are stunning. These images don't even capture the reality of it!Fun to see at least a portion of Hidden Valley from up here.

Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum

A local must-see is the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum, located at 40 Presidential Drive, Simi Valley.  With sweeping hilltop views of the surrounding valleys, this 100,000+ sq ft museum on 100 acres is incredible and quite interesting for all ages.  There is a wealth of memorabilia and artifacts from throughout Reagan's life on display. 

In February 2011, over 26,000 sq ft of new exhibits and dozens of interactive displays spanning Reagan's life were introduced.  There are 18 galleries that pay tribute to our 40th President's life. You can act in a movie with Reagan, deliver his inaugural address with a teleprompter, set the table for a state dinner, learn about his economic policies in interactive games, read his handwritten diary, ride a horse alongside Reagan at Rancho del Cielo, and much more. There is also a full-scale Oval Office replica  and a 9 1/2 foot, 6,300 lb section of the Berlin Wall on display.

Volunteer docuents very friendly, helpful and extremely knowledgeable, they are there to help guide you through your visit and answer your questions.

The Air Force One Pavilion opened in October 2005.  It features the actual Air Force One aircraft used from 1973 to 2001 and you can walk through aircraft when you visit the museum.  There are also motorcade vehicles, helicopter and other items on display. Check out the video to see how stunning this pavillion is.

In addition to the permanent exhibits discussed above, there are always temporary exhibits on display. Check out the museum's website for details.

Mark your calendars each December for the annual "Christmas Around the World" with decorated trees representing countries Reagan visited while President.

Dine at the Reagan Library! Reagan's Country Cafe offers panoramic views and is open to the public from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily, 7 days a week. You can access the cafe without entering the Museum. The Ronald Reagan Pub is located inside the Air Force One Pavilion and offers drinks and pre-packaged sandwiches and other items.

The museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. Parking is free of charge. Current admission costs as of January 2013 are $21 ages 18 to 61, $18 ages 62+, $15 ages 11 to 17 and $6 for ages 3 to 10. Children 2 and under are free. More information at www.reaganfoundation.org or by calling 805.577.4000.

Grant Park / Serra Cross Park in Ventura

For some of the most spectacular views of Ventura you can ask for, stop by Grant Park / Serra Cross Park off of Ferro Drive in Ventura. Grant Park is a 107 acre park off mostly open space. Serra Cross Park is located at Grant Park. It is a 1 acre parcel that contains the wooden cross shown below.

The land and cross was sold to San Buenaventura Heritage, Inc. in 2003 in order to maintain the historic cross, which was placed on this spot in 1941 to replace the previous cross that was erected in 1912. In the late 1700s, Father Junipero Serra on this hill overlooking the Mission San Buenaventura.

Visit www.serracrosspark.org to learn more about Serra Cross Park, which can be rented out for events.

Get there via Brakey Road to the left side of Ventura City Hall or Ferro Drive off of Cedar Street. There are no restrooms, playground, drinking fountains, etc. at this park.

Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles

The Griffith Observatory opened to the public in 1935 as is a Los Angeles icon. After 67 years of operation, it was closed for renovation in 2002 and reopened in Fall 2006. The original art deco 27,000 square foot building built during the Great Depression were expanded by an additional nearly 40,000 square feet of public space. 

The Observatory is located on the southern slope of Mount Hollywood, 1,134 feet above sea level, with expansive views of the surrounding city, mountains and Hollywood sign. Other than the spectacular views outside, the inside of the Observatory features the 300 seat Samuel Oschlin Planetarium, 200 seat Leonard Nimoy Event Horizon, public telescopes, dozens of exhibits and a cafe/gift shop.

Parking and entrance into the Observatory are FREE! Even if you're not into astronomy, you'll love the scenic views up there. It is located at 2800 East Observatory Road, Los Angeles. More information at www.griffithobservatory.org or call 213.473.0800.

The Observatory is owned and staffed by the City of Los Angeles Dept of Recreation and Parks. Due to budget cuts, as of January 2011 it is closed on Mondays and most Tuesdays.

So after 10 or 15 years, I finally made it back to Griffith Observatory with the kids. As mentioned above, you've gotta go and take your out of town guests, if nothing else, for the spectacular views. We went on December 26, 2010 and you'll see some of the outside of the Observatory in the video below.  For several dozen photos, CLICK HERE.