With 12 miles of trails and 3,000 acres of wilderness, Happy Camp Canyon Park is the perfect escape in Ventura County. Peaceful grasslands cover hills with sweeping views of the Santa Monica Mountains, Simi Valley and even the Channel Islands. Native American Chumash used to call this peaceful place home
#277 Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park
Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park preserves rocky canyons, Native American sites and an historic stagecoach route. Tongva, Chumash, and Tataviam Native Americans used this spot as a trading route and many remnants still remain. From 1861-76, it served as the Old Santa Susana Stage Road which connected travelers from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara & San Francisco. In the 1900's, it served as the backdrop of the old west for the adjacent RKO Studios.
#276 Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History
The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History is my favorite museum in Southern California and has been around since 1916. The museum beautifully showcases the surroundings of Santa Barbara from the Native American Chumash, bird & mammal halls as well as marine and plant life. The beautiful grounds run along Mission Creek. With 3.5 million specimens in its extensive collection, there is something to delight everyone during its Centennial Celebration.
#270 Backbone Trail
Backbone Trail is a National Trail in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. After more than 50 years in the works, the trail is finally complete. It runs for 67 miles from Will Rogers State Park to Point Mugu State Park. From majestic ocean-view peaks, chaparral-covered hills and winding canyons, the trail will keep you going at each turn. Several access points make this trail available for all skill levels at any duration.
#269 Mentryville
Mentryville Boomtown was named after Charles Alexander Mentry who drilled California's first successful oil well here in 1876. It was the world's longest continually operating well that lasted until 1990. Today, it is a park run by the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy where Charles' historic home and barn still remain beneath the Santa Susana Mountains. Trails lead to historic ruins as well as canyons of chaparral and coast live oak.
#258 Limestone Canyon Wilderness Area
Limestone Canyon is a nature preserve part of Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. In 2006, it was designated a National Natural Landmark by the Secretary of the Interior for its outstanding biological and geological features. Coastal sage scrub and chaparral plant communities cover colorful hills and canyons along with rare and endangered animal species. A geological feature known as 'The Sinks' is the most impressive part of the canyon. *Access is limited to programs with the Irvine Ranch Conservancy
#235 Tejon Ranch
Tejon Ranch is the largest private land owner in California. The Central Valley, Sierra Nevada Mountains and Mojave Desert all meet here to create an ecosystem like no place else on Earth. Rare and endangered plant and animal species call the ranch home. In the Spring, the mountains come alive with a mosaic of wildflowers. Access to the ranch is only allowed through the Tejon Ranch Conservancy.
#228 Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park
Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park preserves 2,500 acres of canyons, streams, coast live oaks, grasslands and chaparral in the foothills of the Santa Ana Mountains. Red Rock Canyon is the most scenic feature of the park and provides striking contrast to the rolling green hills in the Spring. More than twenty trails of varying skill levels make this a park for everyone to enjoy.
#217 Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve
Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve is a park in Riverside County on the edge of the Santa Ana Mountains. The plateau preserves native plants, vernal pools, Engelmann oaks and the historic Moreno and Machado Adobes built in 1846. In the springtime, wildflowers surround the winding trails whose hills turn brilliant shades of green. The geology of the plateau contains rich volcanic history which created a landscape that has looked the same for millions of years.
#215 Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park
Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park is a protected park in the San Joaquin Hills of Orange County. This Mediterranean climate provides home to coastal sage scrub, chaparral and grasslands as well as many mammal species including coyotes and hawks. Native American artifacts like rock shelters and stone tools have been traced from historic Juaneño tribes. The discovery of marine fossils from mammals, fish and birds make this an important area of study. Top of the World Overlook provides sweeping views of Laguna Beach and its coastal canyons.
