The Santa Monica Mountains Fund Promotes Stewardship and Protection of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area

The Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area is the largest urban national park in the United States at over 150,000 acres, extending from the Hollywood Bowl on the east to Point Mugu at its western end; including the beaches of Santa Monica and Malibu as well as the canyons and peaks extending north to Simi Valley.

The Santa Monica Mountains Fund promotes and assists the park agencies of the Santa Monica Mountain National Recreation Area in accomplishing their missions. Together, they foster the protection and enjoyment of park resources by the public through education, research, improved facilities, citizen engagement and stewardship.

The Fund invests in projects to achieve the mission of the organization. Principal recipients are the park agencies that operate within the mountains. In addition, the Fund sponsors research projects, internships and provides stipends to augment the staffing resources available to successfully complete these projects.

"Balanced Rock" off of the Mishe Mokwa Trail in the Santa Monica Mountains in one of many scenes that leave visitors to the park in awe.

The Santa Monica Mountains Fund was established in 1988 to support the education and resource protection efforts of the National Park Service and California State Parks in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. It was formed by concerned citizens to represent the interests of the public in the development of parklands and recreation opportunities within the mountains.

To learn more about the Fund and to donate, visit www.samofund.org.

Just a few of my favorite Santa Monica Mountains adventures:

• Mishe Mokwa to Sandstone Peak hike
• Boney Mountain Trail to Danielson Monument
• Anthony C. Beilenson Interagency Visitor Center in Calabasas
• Cheeseboro Canyon in Agoura Hills

View from Sandstone Peak, the highest point in the Santa Monica Mountains, towards Newbury Park.

Nothing Changes on New Year's Day 2014 in the Conejo Valley

As Bono penned, "Nothing changes on new year's day." That popular lyric holds true today in the Conejo Valley and throughout Ventura County as dry temps in the low to mid 70s continue...seemingly indefinitely. Would be great to see some rain this year as we certainly could use it!

No sign of Bono on Boney this morning but I did see about three dozen folks making the trek to experience these wonderful views of the Conejo Valley and surrounding areas from Boney Peak.

Would you like to hike up Boney Mountain? Check out this link.

The Coast Was Clear This Post-Christmas Friday in the Conejo Valley

From the Old Boney Trail in the Boney Mountain State Wilderness of Pt. Mugu State Park today, the views swept over the Oxnard Plain to the Pacific Ocean and Channel Islands. Once again the temps reached 80 degrees in the Conejo Valley. Winter, where are you?

Christmas 2013 Residential Holiday Light Display on Gemini/Waverly in Camarillo

As in years past, many homes on Gemini Street and Waverly Avenue south of Dunnigan Street in Camarillo are lit up and decorated with cartoon characters, trains, Santa, snowmen, and plenty of lights and other decorations this holiday season. Drive the route or park and walk. It is worth going out of your way for! From the the 101, take Arneill north past Ponderosa to Dunnigan. Turn right on Dunnigan and Gemini is the 4th street on your right.

Here are some scenes from this display in prior years.

Thousands Enjoy Annual Christmas Tree Lane Display in Oxnard Historic District

We stopped by the 2013 Annual Christmas Tree Lane Display on F and G streets between 5th and Palm in the Oxnard Historic District and had a great time, along with thousands of other local residents. This is the biggest residential display in Ventura County and makes for a great family evening. And the music and light show at nearby Plaza Park is another thing you want to check out. More information at www.oxnardhistoricdistrict.com. Video below provides some snippets of what's in store.

Spectacular Views From Chumash Trail in Pt. Mugu State Park, Malibu

Suzy Demeter of Suzy Demeter Photography and her nephew hiked the steep Chumash Trail in Pt. Mugu State Park yesterday and captured these spectacular shots looking towards the wetlands below on the north and the great sand dune above Thornhill Broome Beach on the south. Beautiful! The Chumash Trail trailhead is accessible off of PCH at this link.

Quite an interesting perspective on the gigantic sand dune below to the south.