scenic drives, ventura, central valley, foothills, forest, mountains Kyle Hanson scenic drives, ventura, central valley, foothills, forest, mountains Kyle Hanson

#351 Hudson Ranch Road

Hudson Ranch Road is a scenic drive through Los Padres National Forest from Highway 33 to Frazier Park. Sweeping views of the Central Valley, Carrizo Plain National Monument, San Emigdio Mountains and the Chumash Wilderness are revealed at each bend. Visit in the Spring for dramatic green hills covered in wildflowers.

 
Read More
ventura, national park, mountains, foothills, central coast Kyle Hanson ventura, national park, mountains, foothills, central coast Kyle Hanson

#341 Rancho Sierra Vista Satwiwa

Rancho Sierra Vista Satwiwa in the Santa Monica Mountains preserves sacred Native American land of the Chumash and Tongva/Gabrielino. The iconic Boney Peak provides a dramatic backdrop for this once village called 'Satwiwa' or Bluff where 150 archeological sites have been discovered. The area was first visited by Europeans in 1769-70 during the famous Portolá expedition and again in 1774 during the Juan Bautista de Anza expedition. Enjoy miles of trails and Spring wildflowers in a landscape largely unchanged.

 
Read More
national park, ventura, central coast, ocean Kyle Hanson national park, ventura, central coast, ocean Kyle Hanson

#319 Anacapa Island

Anacapa Island is the smallest of Channel Islands National Park and is a series of 3 islets totaling 5 miles long. Though tiny, its beauty is unmatched with its dramatic sea cliffs, coves and ocean vistas. California sea lions & harbor seals are heard and seen nesting along its coastline while western gulls call this place home in the Spring and make up the largest breeding colony in the world. Native Americans used the island for thousands of years and called it 'Anypakh' or 'Mirage'.

 
Read More
ventura, mission, museum, ocean, central coast Kyle Hanson ventura, mission, museum, ocean, central coast Kyle Hanson

#302 Mission San Buenaventura

Mission San Buenaventura or 'Mission by the Sea' is the 9th California Mission founded on Easter Sunday: March 31, 1782. It was the last Mission under the vision of Padre Serra. The current church was built between 1792 and 1809 making it one of the oldest surviving buildings in California. Native Chumash created an aqueduct with a steady water supply allowing the mission to flourish and create beautiful gardens which can still be enjoyed to this day. 

 
Read More
ventura, scenic drives, mountains, forest, central coast Kyle Hanson ventura, scenic drives, mountains, forest, central coast Kyle Hanson

#299 Jacinto Reyes National Scenic Byway

Jacinto Reyes is a 36 mile National Scenic Byway in Ventura County. The scenic route, also known as Highway 33, winds through beautiful mountain canyons of Los Padres National Forest and offers stunning vista points along the way. Four National Wilderness areas can be accessed here for those seeking solitude. Come for the day and stay for the sunsets.

 
Read More
ventura, mountains, foothills Kyle Hanson ventura, mountains, foothills Kyle Hanson

#281 Happy Camp Canyon Park

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

 
Read More
los angeles, ventura, state park, mountains, foothills Kyle Hanson los angeles, ventura, state park, mountains, foothills Kyle Hanson

#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.

 
Read More
national park, mountains, ocean, state park, ventura, los angeles, foothills Kyle Hanson national park, mountains, ocean, state park, ventura, los angeles, foothills Kyle Hanson

#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.

 
Read More
ventura, forest, mountains Kyle Hanson ventura, forest, mountains Kyle Hanson

#259 Mount Pinos

Mount Pinos is an 8,831 foot peak in Los Padres National Forest with much of it consisting of granite rocks. The critically endangered California Condor can be spotted flying the surrounding mountains. Native American Chumash called the mountain 'Iwihinmu' or the center of the world: a place of perfect balance. On a clear day, views stretch from the Central Valley, Sierra Nevada, Carrizo Plain and Santa Barbara. Snow falls here each winter making it a four season spot. A 3 mile round-trip hike will take you to the top from the parking area.

 
Read More