CSU Channel Islands Park Loop

...When arriving in the Santa Monica Mountains Recreational Area, take the drive and park at Sycamore Canyon parking lot. Parking is free and also offers restrooms and some history about the park. Follow the trailhead South until you come to the Satwiwa Culture Center on your left and a dome-like stick configuration. Just a bit of history for you: Satwiwa, which stands for "the bluffs", is the ...

The hike begins at the parking lot for Rancho Sierra Vista in Newbury Park, CA just outside LA. Pull into the parking lot and walk on the dirt road until you see the trail for Boney Peak. It is easy to find because the peak can be seen from the beginning of the trail. The trail is generally an incline the entire way to the top. The last 3 miles of the ascent is through thick brush, so be prepar...

From the parking lot at the trailhead, follow the steep trail going up the mountain. This part is quite challenging, so I recommend stretching out your legs before starting the hike. Once you reach the top, you will see your first junction. Go right if you want to go straight for the peak, and then go back the same way. To take the full loop, go left on to Chumash Trail.  The trail is very much...

Point Mugu State Park offers some amazing rolling mountains, sweeping meadows of tall grass, and beautiful coastal views. I suggest going in the spring. I recently went, and the wildflowers were blooming everywhere. There are campgrounds available in different parts of the park that you can make reservations at. Point Mugu State Park starts from Newbury Park in Ventura County through the massi...

...I think out of all the State Parks in the Santa Monica Mountains, Point Mugu State Park is without a doubt the best one. Maybe it has something to do with its proximity to the beach, or the endless trails and epic views, but the energy and diversity here is just so much more wild. With the park having two waterfalls, (Sycamore Canyon and La Jolla Canyon Falls), La Jolla Canyon Falls is somet...

Beach camping in California seems elusive these days, but we were able to pitch our tent just feet from the surf! We stayed for two nights and felt like we had our own private stretch of beach. First, you'll want to make reservations at www.reserveamerica.com. It was fairly easy to reserve a spot, but try a weeknight if you're having trouble. The campsites are a good size, and can accommodate f...