Pictured in the aerial image above is the Malibu
coastline and the Malibu Pier framed by the Pacific Ocean and Santa
Monica Mountains.
People who live in
Malibu or L.A. are passionate about this place, billed as 27 miles of
scenic beauty. Indeed, there are few cities in California that can boast
so much beach. Some brag about 5 or 8, but wait! Malibu has 27!!! The
photo above shows how the mountains (Santa Monica Mountains) extend to
the sea.
From Point Mugu north
of Santa Monica to Griffith Park east of this city, The Santa Monica
Mountains are a part of only east-west belt of mountains in North
America. Comprised of rocks nearly 200 million years old, the mountains
were formed in many series of ruptures between two plates, the Pacific
Plate and the North American Plate. The tallest peaks are close to 3100'
elevation.
46 miles in length and around 10 miles wide, Santa Monica Mountains are
the only mountain range in the world that divides a city into. Landmarks
such as the Santa Monica pier and the Hollywood sign are located within
this mountain range. Operated under the auspices of the US Parks as a
National Recreation Area, access to the mountains for visitors seeking
recreation include these places:
Leo Carillo
State Beach & Park; Malibu Creek State Park;
Point Dume State Beach;
Point Mugu State Park; Topanga State Park and Will Rogers State Historic
Park. These beaches and parks are located in two adjoining counties, Los
Angeles and Ventura.
Recognized as the
largest urban national park in the USA, urban dwellers do not feel so
cramped when they enter the Santa Monica Mountains areas to enjoy
bicycling, hiking, horseback and even some camping. A variety of animals
ranging from mountain lions to endangered bird species dwell in this
urban oasis that is surrounded by 17 million people. Sightings of
mountain lions are common in neighborhoods located near the mountains
and an occasional dog may be killed in one of the encounters. In fact,
it is almost ironic that Los Angeles Zoo, where local media created a
feeding frenzy over a news story about an alligator "Reggie", who was
caught and placed into the zoo, only to escape from his pin. Found
wandering the zoo, if Reggie had gotten loose, he may have made into the
sparse forests of sycamore trees and pines that populate this range.
There is so much to
do in this urban wonderland that guests couldn't possibly see and do it
all. Over 1,200 organized activities are offered annually,
including music concerts, silent movie screenings, trail tours and more.
Paramount Ranch, where Paramount Pictures' filmed at the old Rancho Las
Virgenes movie ranch, Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa, a sacred Chumash
Native American Indian site, Castro Crest and Circle X Ranch are but a
few of the parks attractions. The main directive from the National Parks
is "stay on the trails." You can't avoid snakes, but they claim the
poison oak and ticks that abound are less pervasive when you stay on the
paths provided.
For information about
hikes, trails and events, visit: www.nps.gov
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