Cooler Weather in the San Fernando Valley Calls for a Hike

Have you taken a hike in the Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve yet? Formerly the Ahmanson Ranch, this pristine swath of 2,983 acres of rolling hills and oak woodlands was for years the source of a bitter fight as developers sought to build 3000 homes, a hotel, golf course and more. In 2003, the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy bought it and now it's ours to hike, to ride moutain bikes and horses on. From West Hills, drive west on Victory Blvd until you reach the end. Parking at the trailhead. More information and other access points are available at lamountains.com.