Now that we're getting used to living in southern California, we've discovered the true appeal of the area: the vast diversity of southwestern geology, flora, fauna, and climate. It's quite possible to get out of the urban sprawl in an hour or so, and find places where you don't see another person for hours at a stretch!
We've been to all of the California national parks in the last couple of years, and many of the national parks in the southwest. In addition, the eastern Sierra and Mojave have given us many weekends of driving fun as we poke around. Here are some of our favorite places.
Just moments away from our home, the Satwiwa area of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area provides miles of trails. Parking is located at the south end of Wendy Drive, or just across Potrero Road from the Dos Vientos neighborhood of Thousand Oaks. A mile and a half walk will take you to a spectacular waterfall, and twice that will get you to the ruins of a ranch house on the flanks of Mount Boney.
Sycamore Canyon runs from the Satwiwa area down to the Pacific Ocean along eight miles of shaded paths interspersed by mountain vistas, geological fault zones, and multiple creek crossings. Make your arrangements appropriately, be picked up at the bottom, and have lunch at the nearby Neptune's Net restaurant.
Simi Peak and the Chumash Interpretive Center in northeastern Thousand Oaks provide docent-led access to a petroglyph site, or a view of Thousand Oaks, Moorpark, and Simi Valley.
Last Updated September 13, 2006