Beyond The Acorn - Outdoor Living - Spring 2014

SPRING 2014

GARDEN ARTFrom Classic to Kitsch

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SPRING 2014

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FeatuReS

34 EVErY HoUr iS HappY HoUr How a Simi Valley couple transformed their backyard into a tropical resort decked out for year-round enjoyment.

38 ENCHaNTED EVENiNGS This Newbury Park family took a hands-on approach to creating their backyard paradise.

40 FUELiNG THE aCTiVE LiFESTYLE Pedalers Fork in Calabasas has a new spin on delicious, locally- sourced food and artisan coffee.

44 oN THE TraiL Theres a wealth of scenic open space and scores of hiking trails just outside your back door.

51 STop aND SmELL THE WiLDFLoWErS A photographic journey of blossoms and blooms spotted on our local trails.

44

table of contentsSpriNG 2014

oN THE CoVEr: Newlyweds enjoy a quiet moment in the backyard spoolbigger than a spa, smaller than a poolperfect for romance and relaxation.

Cover Photo by RICHARD GILLARD

24

DePaRtmeNtS

10 LETTErS From bEYoND Greetings from the publisher and editor.

WHO14 a GiFT THaT KEEpS GroWiNG Ed and Lynn Hogans generosity goes beyond the Gardens of the World.

16 THE YiN & YaNG oF TraViS GoLDSTEiN A modern-day Renaissance man reveals his passion for bonsai.

18 miSTEr macGYVEr Scott Dorsey needed a special type of outdoor shade so he created his own version of an innovative home product.

WHat20 baCKYarD ViNEYarDS Raising grapes and home winemaking are all part of the current grape craze.

WHeN24 oUT aND aboUT Get out your plannertheres a lot going on around town this season.

WHeRe27 TrEaSUrES For THE GarDEN Add character to your yard with specialty pottery, graceful statuary, topiary and unique vintage specialties.

WHY32 pLaN bEForE YoU pLaNT Hiring a landscape architect can save your sanityand maybe your marriage.

HOW56 bUiLD YoUr oWN VEGGiE pLaNTEr Be creative with your raised planting beds and get ready for the summer harvest.

60 KEEp THE KiDS oUTDoorS An intricately planned activity proves theres no obstacle to fun when youre a kid.

aCORNuCOPIa62 GaDGETS For THE GriLL Great new products to enhance your outdoor grilling and dining experience.

ReSOuRCeS66 rESoUrCES A guide to people and vendors in this issue.

FINaL WORD74 GrEETiNGS From paraDiSE LoST

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Leslie Gregory Haukoos, [email protected]

We are the architects of our lives and how we choose to spend our time. As spring rolls around, our attention turns to the outdoors, be it our backyards or the natural environment. The diversity of interests among our readers makes for compelling stories. Significant pastimes for one family may inspire another reader to adopt something new to add to their familys narrative. Where we live affords us amazing opportunities to embrace nature

and enhance our lives. If the home is the heart of a family, then the backyard might be considered the lungs. A strange analogy? Maybe not. The lungs bring in vital oxygen to reenergize our bodies and keep our cells functioning; they remove poisonous carbon dioxide and cleanse the body with each exhale. Building and enjoying your backyard sanctuary for yourself, your family and your friends is reenergizing. The backyard can give us peace from the stresses of the world, fuel our creativity, be a meeting place for loved ones, or be a romantic haven. All that while bringing us our own private slice of nature. Its where you may exhale, shut out the worlds trials and tribulations, and just let go. Whether your refuge is built in steps over years or is created in one mass undertaking, you can enjoy the process and applaud your accomplishments as each piece of your plan falls into place. Spring also brings us out of our homes to take part in the many activities that bring us closer to nature and our neighbors. These pastimes also boost our mental well-being, health and ultimate happiness. In this issue we barely touch on what is available in our area, which shows us that there is a wealth of subjects and people to write about in future issues of Beyond the Acorn. The art of the outdoors is essential to the quality of the life we create. So enjoy taking those giant leaps, or baby steps, to sculpt how you enjoy your slice of nature, and just breathe in.

Theres something different about the air in spring. It tastes fresher, sweeter somehow. And I wouldnt be surprised to find out theres a pinch of aphrodisiac in it. What is that subtle something that makes us want to open the windows and kiss the morning, or linger outdoors long past bedtime like a lover reluctant to take his leave? even though we dont have tough winters here, we still feel the arrival of spring as it blows in on a warm breeze. And thats when we head outdoors. We seem to know just when its time to heat up the pool for the first swim day of the year and fix a great meal on the grill, using cool new barbecue gad-gets. Its also when we feel compelled to dress up the yard with new furniture cushions, cant-pass-it-up garden art and generous amounts of mulch for the flower beds. Unless, of course, were dodging the gentle rain of a spring shower. Thats a welcome event, especially for our thirsty gardens and the hills surrounding them. Dont you love when that blush of green changes the landscape almost overnight, turning our brown hillsides into velvet-covered pillows? That sight is like an invitation to hit the trails and roam the hillsides. Lucky for us, this community has a wealth of trails to explore. Weve got a feature story on local hiking, complete with a starter list of trailheads and maps to help you find them. Theres also a lovely photo gallery of wildflowers to re-mind you to keep your eyes, and your senses, open while youre out there. others respond to the call of spring closer to home, spending enchanted evenings in their own backyard resorts. We met two families who took that to heart, building beautiful pool areas that are so welcoming, its hard to come up with a reason to vacation anywhere else. For still others, spring means grabbing the toolbox and prepping the yard for summer veggies. If youre thinking of building your own raised planting beds, weve done a good bit of the legwork for you. Thats just a sampling of what this issue of Beyond the Acorn has in store. Well be back on your doorstep in July. Until then, happy spring.

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Ed and Lynn hogan, founders of the travel company Pleasant holidays, may be big kahunas in the travel industry, but thats not nearly the most striking thing about the Lake Sherwood couple. Whats most captivating about the hogansbesides their penchant for sharing their good fortuneis the pairs passion for the small things. They exude delight for the accomplishments of their children and friends, gush about their pets, and expound upon politics and cul-ture with ease. We have a lot of hope in this coun-try now, ed remarks. Yet theyre probably best knownand lovedfor one big thing they did for the city and people of Thousand oaks: building the Gardens of the World. The 4-acre public oasis on Thousand oaks Boulevard allowed the hogans to share their love of foreign locales by nurturing english, Ital-ian, Japanese and French gardens right in their own backyard. The land

across from the Thousand oaks civic Arts center offered the perfect opportunity for the two to build the kind of gardens theyd come to appreciate as world travelers. Flowers, trees and stunning landscapes at the Gardens encourage folks to breathe, relax and rejuvenate, something the ho-gans believe is necessary for the soul. con-certs and art shows are regularly presented inside the sanctuary. I love the summer concerts, Lynn says, adding that the place is packed during the summer, especially when the Air Force Band performs. ed is particularly fond of the Mission courtyard area of Thousand oaks garden paradise. Thousands of fourth-graders

come to the Gardens each year to learn about the missions, he said. We have an actor play the part of Father Serra, and he fits the bill. The hogans, both 86, have another interest that sparks their passion: animals. And, as is their way, they put their money where their hearts are.

Written by STEpHaNiE bErTHoLDo Photo by iriS SmooT

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Their rancho St. Francis project, named after St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals and the environment, is located on 22 acres in hidden Valley. The casa Pacifica equestrian education Program offered there teaches horsemanship skills to kids in crisis to help develop confidence, discipline, re-sponsibility and compassion. rancho St. Francis was opened in 2004. The hogan Family Foundation, the charitable organization ed and Lynn cre-ated, opened a second ranch in 2007. The camarillo facility focuses on the rehabilita-tion and care of injured, abused or neglected horses, and offers a safe haven where aging horses can live out their lives comfortably. The foundations horse rescue has cap-tured international attention. While talking about it recently, ed pulls out his iPad and clicks on a video of him atop a 15-year-old black Friesian horse. The graceful animal was shipped to him from holland by a movie producer who might have had it euthanized if a proper home hadnt been found. To date, the hogan Family Foundation has rescued 86 horses. Abused and abandoned dogs are also near to the hogans heartsthats why they HOGaNS oN PAGE 54

for cappuccino, a name that speaks to the chocolate retrievers flat coat, and Louie, the poodle Lynn won at an auction at St. Judes catholic church in Westlake Village. Their Lhasa apso is called Bunny.

created Big Paws 4 A cause. Some of the canines rescued by the organization are later trained as therapy dogs to aid veterans suffer-ing from anxiety, and others are adopted out to families in need of a loving companion. not surprisingly, ed and Lynn have pooches of their own. Theres cappy, short

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For someone who spent a large chunk of his adult life pos-ing in front of cameras and moving fast from big city to big city, Travis Goldstein seems somewhat shy. The 34-year-oldwhose face and figure have ap-peared in countless magazine ads from his work as a

fashion model in places like new York, Milan and Pariscomes across as soft-spoken and reserved.

Written by DarLEEN priNCipE Photos by miCHaEL CooNS

Travis Goldstein meticulously prunes a bonsai in his Thousand oaks studio. The former fashion model learned the ancient art of bonsai while he was living in Japan.

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But then again, maybe its not shy-ness at all. Maybe Goldstein has just mastered the art of tranquility. After all, he did leave his modeling career in 2008, after study-ing the art of Japanese bonsai with Masaru Ishii, late owner of chikugo-en Bonsai nursery in Gardena, and opening his own nursery and studio in Thousand oaks. now the oak Park resident spends most mornings in an almost-meditative state, tending to the hundreds of potted miniature trees at his california Bonsai Studio on a hillside at the end of Moor-park road in Thousand oaks. At least one bonsai came from a drought-tolerant california juniper that he estimates to be nearly 2,000 years old. he also has bonsai made from Japanese black pine, Kishu juniper, boxwood, gink-go and dozens of other species. Its the regular caring for something outside of yourself that, for me, is kind of like a meditation process, Goldstein says. Its a time to kind of clear my mind. My focus is on the trees, and its peaceful at the same time. Goldstein, who grew up on his par-ents 70-acre horse ranch in Paso robles, is no stranger to exploring nature. I spent my childhood walking around in the woods and along the creek bed, he says. I spent a lot more time with nature than I did with other people. That could be why, after completing a three-month modeling contract in Japan in 2000, Goldstein decided to learn the art of styling bonsai. eventually, he traded in his career in the cameras spotlight for an enterprise that keeps him closer to natural beauty.


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Some friends refer to him as MacGyver, the 1990s television character who fab-ricated clever devices on the fly to get

himself out of jams. Scott Dorsey of calaba-sas is a self-proclaimed inventor whos been designing unique and clever items and rede-signing others since he was a child. I have been doing it all my life, he says. For more than 50 years I have been modify-ing designs, starting with my first bicycle. Typically, Dorseys inventions grow out of a personal need for something hes not finding in the marketplace. I always question why something is made one way and why not another way, per-haps with less parts or to make it better or more efficient and possibly for less, he says. What I pride myself in is the ability to work basic principles and modify designs to suit my need. Why reinvent the wheel? If my wife asks me to fix something and I tell her it cant be fixed, she thinks Im ly-ing, Dorsey says with a laugh. Before the days of flat-screen televisions, Dorsey wanted to install a TV in an outdoor pavilion with a device to hoist it up and down from the ceiling. When he found no

such thing existed, he designed one of his own. By using a ga-rage door opener, some pulleys and counterweights, I was able to lower and raise a 60 -pound television with a remote, he says.

In 2005 Dorsey developed his own ver-sion of another idea which hes since intro-duced to the consumer. he calls it ohmBrella, the ultimate awning. Its an adjustable louver system that allows outdoor spaces to be pro-tected from direct sunlight and rain. The ohmBrella, like most of Dorseys inventions, was born from a personal neces-sity. With our home located in a very windy area of calabasas (where theres) a high risk of fire, we were limited in possible solutions. canvas or retractable awnings would be de-stroyed in the high winds. Fire code would have required the lattice or shade bars be so far apart, the shading effect would have been

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minimal, and a solid top would make the interior of the home dark. each custom-made ohmBrella gives homeowners a solar-powered system thats impervious to rot and mildew and that never has to be painted. It can be opened, closed or set at any increment in between so families can enjoy year-round outdoor livingrain or shineat the touch of a button. The system was designed to be incor-porated into all types of structures, includ-ing retrofitting existing ones, Dorsey says. And theyre available in any color of the rainbow, he says, adding that his systems are 100 percent made in the U.S., 90 percent in Socal. how did he come up with the name? In Italian ombrello is umbrella. Also, ohm is a term having to do with electricity. But for some customers, the name is associated with an ancient word used in meditation. While this . . . was never our inten-tion, Dorsey says, our customers will say that sitting under their ohmBrella is one of the most relaxing experiences.

With the flip of a switch, the solar-powered ohmBrella can easily be adjusted to let in just the right amount of sunlight.


can the vineyards of the Santa Monica Mountains compete with those in the renowned wine regions of napa Valley and Paso robles? According to Martin ramirez of The Vineyards of ojai, grapes growing in local soil rival some of the best in the world, and some are being tended in unexpected places: peoples backyards. For the past 20 years, ramirez has installed and maintained vine-yards in backyards all over the area, including Agoura hills, newbury Park, Thousand oaks and camarillo. With wines popularity booming and many local commercial growers finding success, more and more homeowners are getting into grapes. The trend has been growing like crazy, ramirez says. Most of (my clients) are retired. They want to have something to play with. The wine thats been produced out of their vineyard, they love it. They can-not believe that (its) from a little backyard vineyard because the wine is really good. The taste is great.

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ramirez planted 483 vines in Dale and carole Kornreichs near-ly 1-acre yard in old Agoura. The vines will bear cabernet, syrah and zinfandel, varietials that will do well in the areas warm climate, Dale Kornreich says. ramirez notes that grapes grown in warmer climates tend to produce sweet-tasting wines, while those tended in cooler weather make peppery varieties. The viticulturist recommends planting at least 100 vines in a backyard. The stalks can produce 5 to 10 gallons of juice. even bet-ter would be to plant 250 to 300 vines in a yard that is at least 100 feet by 80 feet, he says. The grapes would make enough juice to fill a 60-gallon wine barrel, or 300 bottles. The Kornreichs, who spent about $20,000 for their vineyard last year and will pay up to $3,000 a year for ramirez to maintain it, must wait at least two more years for their vines to sprout grapes suitable for wine-making. During that time grape clusters will fall from the vines, a process that yields fruit with higher-concentrated juice for a more flavorful wine. Before planting vines, clients choose the grapes they wish to grow with a vintner who will eventually make their wine, ramirez says. Before embarking on what will be a very long-term project, ramirez makes sure he and the homeowners have clear goals. I ask them what their intentions are and what they are looking for so there are no surprises. residential vineyard owners may have their wine made with-out charge if they share the product. If I find a client willing to plant something experimental that

we are pretty sure is going to work, then we try to cut a deal, ramirez says. We make the wine and then at the end we split the wine. The Kornreichs are on their way to one of the rewards of grow-ing a vineyard. If you do it right all year long youre going to make great wine. Fantastic wine, ramirez says. In the meantime, the couple are enjoying the view. About 140,000 pounds of quarry rock were brought in to line their ter-raced hills filled with vines. Its absolutely gorgeous when its growing, Dale Korn-reich says.

Making wine Another growing trend involves the hobby vintners, those who purchase their grapes and concentrate on the winemaking. carol Marinello carries on a family tradition started in her an-cestral home with a clear glass of chardonnay raised in a toast in the Simi Valley home she shares with fiance Mike Johnnie. There the couple uses a 100-year-old wine press that belonged to Marinellos grandfather, passed down from her great-grandparents in Sicily, to create gold medal-winning wines. We have a number of wine parties every year, Marinello says. Its really lovely. Wine tends to open people up and (help them) relax, which is just great because we have high-stress jobs. You can sit down and say, oK, Im not thinking about work and (Im) just enjoying peoples company. Thats what wine does.

Carol marinellos wine press is a family heirloom, passed down from her Sicilian great-grandparents. The couple has fun designing their wine labels, paying tribute to various family milestones with each batch of wine.

The countdown to the celebration be-gins during harvest season, between late Au-gust and november, when the couple drives to Paso robles to sample wines and choose grapes. They buy about a half-ton of the fruit, which costs around 75 cents a pound, and take it home de-stemmed and crushed in fermentation tanks. The bounty produces about 600 bottles a year. Its Marinellos favorite part of the pro-cess: We bring it home and everything smells like wine and grape and harvest. Then its time to make wine in a cor-ner of their garage: a small room with cream walls and a white-shuttered window facing the street. Several 60-gallon oak barrels made in France and weighing 550 pounds each line the wall below the window. nearby is the re-furbished 120-pound vintage press. Wine glasses hang from a rack made from old parts of the press stained the color of Bordeaux from decades of grape skins. The couple, who started making wine together in 2001, seem to have perfected their process. Theyve won at least 25 cellar-master awards: gold, silver and bronze med-als spanning more than a decade for their chardonnay and cabernet, which they pro-

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mike Johnnie and Carol marinello have been making wine together since 2001. Their wines have earned more than two dozen Cellarmaster awards for excellence.

duce every year, and their zinfandel, merlot, malbec and sangiovese, which they produce intermittently. newly harvested grapes are scooped or pumped through hoses into bins, then they undergo a multistep process that includes adding yeast to the juice to start the fermen-tation process. At the end of fermentation, the wine is clarified to remove solids and poured into the oak barrels. chardonnay is kept in the kegs for a year; the red wines for up to three years, developing their distinctive flavors. every year Marinello and Johnnie give their wine to friends who gather at their home and form assembly lines to fill, cork and label the bottles. The custom-made la-bels bear the name cane rosso Winery, (red dog in Italian) and have photos of their beloved dogs, Bogey and rico. other labels commemorate birthdays and wedding anni-versaries of family and friends. Marinello is happy to pay tribute to her familys legacy. My mom is absolutely thrilled, she says. The first time we used my grandfathers press she was just crying. She said, Grandpa is smiling at you.

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FRIDaY tHROuGH SuNDaY, aPRIL 25 to 2733rd Annual Santa Monica Mountains Trail DaysAt Danielson ranch in Point Mugu State ParkFree camping on Friday and Saturday night available; volunteers perform trail maintenance on Sat. and Sun; and a free thank-you barbecue for volunteers on Sat.Visit www.smmtc.orgcall Barb Thomas (805) 492-0460

SatuRDaY aND SuNDaY, aPRIL 26 aND 2738th Conejo Valley Home Remodeling Show10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sat. and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sun.hyatt Westlake Plaza880 S. Westlake Blvd., Westlake Village More than 170 vendors with information and products for homeowners. Gourmet food trucks on site Sat. from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free passes at www.westlakehomeshow.com. cost at the door is $4.

SuNDaY, aPRIL 27 Conejo Valley Botanic Gardens Annual Matilija Poppy Festival11 a.m. to 4 p.m.350 W. Gainsborough road, Thousand oaksTour 18 specialty gardens; see the white matilija poppy; Kids Adventure Garden, nature trail, childrens activities, docent tours, plant sale and CaLeNDaR oN PAGE 26

free popcorn. Free admission.Visit www.conejogarden.org

FRIDaY tHROuGH SatuRDaY, maY 2 to 10Festivo!Ventura Music Festivals 20th Anniversary Season Celebration Performances by Igudesman & Joo; Tea and Trumpets; Judy collins; cantus; rising Stars; Stanislav Khristenko; and Preservation hall Jazz Band. Takes place at various Ventura venues.Tickets from $25 to $75.Visit www.venturamusicfestival.org

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SuNDaY, maY 4Westlake Village Garden Club Garden Tour11 a.m. to 5 p.m.Tour five fabulous gardens in full spring bloom. Benefits student scholarships, the conejo Valley Botanic Garden and other local charities.Admission: $20. www.westlakevillagegardenclub.com

Annual Camarillo Hospice Spring Garden TourNoon to 4 p.m.Tour local homeowners private gardens.Benefits camarillo hospice, which provides free assistance to Ventura county families facing a life-limiting illness or grieving the loss of a loved one.Visit www.camarillohospice.org

tHuRSDaY, maY 8 tHROuGH SuNDaY, maY 11 58th Annual Conejo Valley Daysconejo creek Park South1300 e. Janss road, Thousand oaks Features entertainment for the whole family, including freestyle motocross exhibitions, kids entertainment area, carnival rides, games, a Western-themed Main Street and saloon, and a food court. Admission is $10 for adults; $5 for kids 6 through 12; free for kids 5 and under. Visit www.conejovalleydays.uscall (805) 498-0624email [email protected]

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STaTUES, TopiarY, SpECimEN TrEES Long after closing time at Baron Brothers nursery, dozens of crea-tures remain behind to frolic around the lily pond on the 4-acre property in camarillo. There are children with fishing poles, grizzly bears hunting salmon, youngsters wrestling puppies, graceful deer and howling coyotes. We have the largest selection of bronze statuary in the area, says James Baron, who, with his brother richard, owns the company. The faces on the kids are like Botticellis; they are just really beautiful. When James and richard Baron launched Pacific Landscaping Ser-vice in 1972 little did they know it would eventually grow to include a full-service retail garden center, 220 acres of growing ground and a repu-tation for carrying heritage specimen trees. Alongside the large selection of plants, the garden center has all the tools and inspiration you need to make a garden thrive. rows of chinese glazed and Italian clay pots in various shapes and sizes offer plenty of choices. But it is the topiaries that command the most interest. They include simple spirals, Japanese-style pompoms, dinosaurs and a full to-piary airplane poised to launch over a group of sculpted children at play. And, if customers dont find just what they want, Baron Brothers will custom order it for them.

baRON bROtHeRS7568 Santa rosa road, camarillo(805) 484-0085www.baronbrothers.com


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carleen reinstein says some loyal customers come to Meadow Gardens simply to relax and soak in the ambiancethe soothing sounds of water trickling from dozens of garden fountains, her birds singing gently, the heavenly scent of fine candles. But thats not her primary goal. This special place carries fountains, fine pots and statuary, all competitively priced and poised to adorn local gardens large and small. Its more about helping customers create their own home garden retreats. Meadow Gardens has a large selection of fountains reflecting styles inspired by fine American prop-erties such as the Biltmore house in north carolina and Longwood Gardens in Pennsylvania. It also has Asian designs as well as lovely, rich Mediterranean styles. The store, in its 14th year, evolved out of reinsteins work as a landscape designer. That coupled with her background in department store merchandising prepared her for what she does now, running a charming shop chock-full of fountains, pottery and small garden accessories.

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GrEaT oLD STUFF When retired schoolteacher Laurie Turner began thinking about what she wanted to do with the next chapter of her life, her husband asked her, Whats your passion? her response was im-mediate: gardening and old stuff. And so the seeds were planted for Vintage Garden & Bloom in Thousand oaks, a lovely little place packed with items from the past. Turner is always searching for great old things, particularly from 1950s. She keeps them in their aged stage, rusted, peeling and in need of repair, what she describes as time-weathered. Wandering through the shop and its garden is like going on a treasure hunt. The concrete animals tend to be from the 1940s. Although some people like to clean them up and give them a fresh coat of paint, Turn-er prefers them in their original state, peeled to perfection by the years. Vintage Garden also carries a line of birdhouses newly con-structed out of aged barn wood and specialty pottery by Guy Wolff and campo de Fiori. Artist Lynn conlan helps Turner run the shop and her charming watercolors are show-cased throughout.

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owner Glenn Izard opened nordic nursery in newbury Park 35 years ago, when the stretch along the 101 Freeway ran through miles of open space, and new homes were still popping up by the dozens. Today the friendly, family-run nursery is a full-service garden center with a nice selection of fountains, pottery and garden accessories. The pottery, mostly Asian and Italian, is stacked in rows beneath the shade of a large old oak tree. Its a pleasant atmosphere for browsing through pots glazed in brilliant blues, sea greens and white with embossed scrolling. The gift shop is filled with garden accessories. There are some lovely hummingbird feeders, wind chimes in all shapes and sizes, and unusual garden garnishes like the peat moss purse planters. And kids can enjoy the garden tools made for small hands. But Izard says nordics real claim to fame is knowledge and expertise. This gardener likes it because of its personal appeal, a far cry from the big-box warehouse stores. And thats why customers from Malibu and calabasas, and from camarillo and Moorpark come to take advantage of nordics treasures.

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Written by LESLiE GrEGorY HaUKooS

YOu PLaNtPLAN BEFoRE

Deciding to hire a professional to design our garden nearly caused a marital breakup. We had just moved into a new home in Agoura that was surrounded by nothing but bare dirt. our budget was very limited . . . as in very limited. My husband thought we should take the do-it-yourself approachconserve our funds and put all we had into plants. he figured a landscape architect was something like a gardener with a business card. Better to figure it out on our own as we went along. I put my foot down and said Id rather invest in a good garden design, even if it meant wed have to leave half the yard barren for the time being. We battled it out. As the gardener of the family, I wanted

a truckload of new plants delivered to my driveway more than anything. But I knew in my gut that a good plan would be a sound investment, guiding all our later garden decisions.

My husband, who tends to argue in favor of mainte-nance-free cement patios and plants that dont attract bugs, aims more for convenience than natures splendor. The more we spent on a plan, he reasoned, the less wed have for plants and the longer wed be living with dirt. I held out and finally convinced him. We hired landscape architect Marsh Sanders to design the whole yard, even though much of the plan was, at that time, lofty dreaming The process was simple, or so it seemed. We told Sanders our vague and ambitious ideas: we wanted paths leading to places, a covered pool that wouldnt require much heating and could be off-limits to our three small children. We wanted it to feel like the gardens at the Westlake Inn. nothing major, just make it like an aging Tuscan estate, we urged, on our miniscule budget, in an area prone to drought. . . . We didnt have the money for garden benches, fountains or furniture, but we could envision them, so we needed places where they might work later on, when we could gradually add them to the garden. Somehow, Sanders took all of our half-baked ideas and drew up a lovely plan. It had paths leading to destinations where we could eventu-ally rest on garden benches. It had pairs of pepper trees lined up like soldiers down a meandering garden path. It had a step-up patio and a graceful water feature connecting Jacuzzi with swimming pool. The

weed-covered slope would become a fruit orchard and grapevines would climb

the arbors. For quite a while,

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that drawing was the closest we came to having a yard. At least we could sit on folding chairs on the bare dirt and imagine. nearly 10 years later, we finished implementing that plan. We had completed it in stages, when we could, and enjoyed it along the way. And because we took the time and used the resources to think ahead, today we have a cohesive garden rather than a hodgepodge of plants. our neighbor, who has since moved away, was the first on the block to build her pool when the whole neighborhood was new. We were all a bit envious as her family splashed in their tropical pond that first hot summer while the rest of us watched our small kids play in bare earth that required a whole lot of effort to keep out of the house. Months later, this neighbor confided in us. She was lying awake at night, haunted by a mad-dening thought: she had put the pool in the wrong place. It was too close to the house. It sliced the

property in two, cutting off the back part of the yard, which used to have lots of potential

but now would be like a separate planet. Because it was right next to the house, the pool was shaded most of the day, even while the rest of the 1-acre lot was fully in sun. obviously, it was a little late to do anything

about it. Its good to have a plan.

That said, the beauty of a garden is that it is a living, breathing

thing. It evolves and urges us to be flexibleto let it

grow figuratively as well as literally.

Thats why the garden path with roses climbing the arbors has

been updated with shade-loving climbers now that the pepper trees have matured. (of course, our wise land-

scape architect predicted that years ago when he planted the baby pepper trees.) And after fighting an existing oak trees piles of fallen leaves for a number of years, we finally conceded and let them remain, a natural carpet underneath the grand tree. (Wait, that was Sanders idea, too.) But even with the plan, we still had plenty of personalizing to do. It took us a couple of years to figure out where a fountain should go, then another couple of years before we could afford to

put one there. Turns out my husband is now a great fan of our garden. hes

out there almost daily with his laptop and his martini.


sign hanging on the outside bar at the De Maios Simi Valley home captures the essence of their backyard hideaway: Lorraine and Vinces tropical bar resortwhere every hour is happy hour. relax and enjoy. Vince De Maio says even hes impressed with the way it all turned out. I wanted an outdoor space with all the conveniences of the indoorsand I wanted it to feel like a resort. And it does just that, but getting there was not smooth sail-ing. After the original contractor went bankrupt, De Maio, who worked in the car business for 26 years, had to don a contractors hat to oversee the completion of his vision. he must have been a quick learner because the project, which took 19 months to complete, brought in a first place award from california Landscape contractors Association for

residential estate instal-lation. Landscaper oak Springs nursery Inc. re-ceived that honor. The backyard is my baby, De Maio says. even if its raining, we can have a barbecue and watch TV outside because its all under cover. And during nice weather, dont knock on

the front door; come to the back gate because we spend most of our time there. The 750-square-foot, outdoor cabana is actually three rooms (without walls) with a dining room, a living room and a kitchen equipped with fridge, barbecue, stove-top burners, microwave and a countertop cooler for ice and drinks. everything about the installation is state-of-the-art. A fully automated remote-control system operates the cabanas three flat-screen televisions, Blu-ray player, Internet radio and speakers. The automated features in the pool and spa are also operated via re-mote control. At the push of a button, De Maio can change the

Written by ELa LiNDSaY Photos by iriS SmooT

Every Hour isHappyHour

A


I wanted an outdoor space

with all the conveniences of

the indoorsand I wanted it to feel

like a resort. Vince De Maio

color of his interior pool light, turn on the spa bubbles or adjust the music playing for his guests. The lighting is all LeD and energy-efficient, says De Maio of the more than 100 bulbs that illuminate the yard. They are only 12 watts instead of the usual 65 watts which translates into huge savings. That way I dont mind turning on the lights every night . . . and its very romantic. When theyre not in the pool or spa, guests can congregate at the 25-foot-long bar, gather around the gas-burning fire pit or lounge on easy chairs near the fireplace. The dining area has sit-down seating for eight guests. The pool features a Mexican-inspired Baja shelf, a roomy foot-deep area thats per-fect for lounging on a chaise partially sub-merged on a steamy day. Two swim-up cock-tail tables are ideal for sipping margaritas in the shade of the palapas. chosen for their real palm material, the tiki-style umbrellas add to the resort flavor. Two infinity edges give the pool a stunning nighttime presence. The outdoor wood-fired pizza oven is another De Maio triumph, but it took a while for him to learn how to use it. The first pizza didnt turn out. The sec-ond was worse, he says with a laugh. But ap-parently hes got the hang of it now because the couple often throws parties with home-made pizza on the menu. no detail has been overlooked. ceil-ing fans draw fresh breezes into the cabana,


The cabana is actually three rooms, merged under a single roof. Theres a living room seating area, a fully-equipped kitchen with bar seating and a dining room area. The pool has two distinct infinity edges.

and heaters keep it toasty in the off-season. Theres natural Arizona Sweetwater stone-work throughout and artificial turf, which is clean and low-maintenance. A full alarm system deters any would-be partycrashers. All this is nestled under the spreading boughs of a huge oak tree that has been part of the landscape for several hundred years. The capper on this outdoor haven is an 8-by-10-foot air-conditioned shed, complete with hardwood floors, cabana tiles, deep -freeze chest and commercial icemaker. A sign on the door says: resort Mini Suite #525. Its the day we got married, says Vince De Maio, May 25. celebrating 29 years together this year, the couple say their personal Margaritaville was worth every penny. Its not a backyard; its a resort.


EnchantedEveningsThis split-level tropical paradise grew out of the collective imagination of a very hands-on newbury Park couple. Work-ing without a formal plan or a professional designer, the pair envisioned a backyard re-treat, with several separate destinations and plenty of room for family and friends to gather comfortably and informally. The result is this charming hideaway,

complete with a rock spool (somewhat big-ger than a spa and smaller than a pool) with a hidden grotto and full-sized water slide, a tropical cabana with kitchen and barbecue, an exotic, cloth-draped gazebo, built-in fire pit and a cozy corner patio with a chiminea. The couple described their dream to the folks at california Pools, who built the main water feature without a formally drawn de-

sign for the approximately 14' x 18' spool. Then Brian Staben of the rock Shop in camarillo came on board and the dream really took shape. having worked on rock structures at Disneyland, which has some of the best faux mountains around, Staben knew just how to craft realistic rock for-mations with lots of interesting nooks and crevices.

Written by LESLiE GrEGorY HaUKooS Photos by riCHarD GiLLarD


Far left, a neighbors grandchild gives the slide a try. Left, the couple enjoys a quiet evening together just outside the grotto. Below, friends sip a cocktail while dinner cooks on the barbecue.

The homeowners credit Staben for the realization of their dream. now the spool has a shallow pond at the top of the water slide, where guests like to hang out on hot days in just enough water to keep them re-freshed while they chat with folks sitting at the tiki bar. The hidden grotto, affection-ately dubbed Boney Mountain Grotto, after the local landmark, is deep enough for adults to stand in and can fit three or four people. The spool features a graded beach en-try but deepens to 4 feet 6 inches, which is

deep enough for safe water sliding. Theres also plenty of seating for several adults and lots of room for kids to splash around on the other side of a peninsula planter. And, when the jets are on, theres enough length and resistance to get a bit of exercise as well, the homeowner says. The main waterfall first pools in a 1-foot-deep area, where the family dogs like to romp, before it spills into the main spool. Theres a cool splash feature that can be manually operated to keep the water just the right temperature.

Up a few steps, but feeling worlds away, is the tiki bar cabana, which was built with bamboo and covered with thatched palapa leaves. The homeowners replace the leaves every two years, but they say syn-thetic ones are also available and require less frequent maintenance. The homeowners did most of the land-scaping themselves, with some advice on plants from a friend whos also a landscap-er. A prized feature is the banana plant, which produces sweet fruit each growing seasonjust like in a tropical paradise.


Written by STEpHaNiE SUmELL Photos courtesy of GiDEoN kLEiNmAN, PEDALERS FoRk

Pedalers Fork is more than just a busi-ness. Its a community. Friends and business partners Tim retelle and robbie Schaeffer opened the restaurant, coffeehouse and full-service bike shop in April 2013 to provide a home away from home for their customers. now a popular hangout for cyclists pass-ing through town, the establishment in the heart of calabasas caters to health-conscious individuals who enjoy good food, good com-pany and the great outdoors. no bike? no problem, retelle says. When we first opened, I saw a woman

dressed in normal street clothes walk out to the patio to meet her husband dressed in full cycling gear. . . . Theres something here for everybody. The restaurant on calabasas road aims to help change the way the food industry op-erates by eliminating as many steps as pos-sible between where food is produced and where its consumed. The Pedalers Fork van travels up and down the coast, gathering food from farmers, ranchers and artisans who follow sustainable, organic practices. We want people to experience what real food tastes like, retelle says. our carrots come in with dirt on them because they were just picked that morning.

The 36-year-old says Pedalers Fork has put hundreds of thousands of dol-lars back into the community. The res-taurant even purchases fresh herbs and vegetables grown by students at Muse School, a private school in calabasas with an environmental focus. People who come here are invest-ing in their own backyard, retelle says. Youre not only eating the best-quality food you are going to find, you are sup-porting the local growers in your area. . . . Its all about doing the right thing. And doing the right thing never tasted so good. Dan Murray, the restaurants exec-utive chef, changes the menu seasonally to offer patrons the freshest ingredients possible. Pedalers Fork has become a place where the vegan and the car-nivore can sit down together and be happy, Murray says. Murray says the quinoa burger, a tasty vegetarian patty, is a favorite among the restaurants regulars. The recipe has undergone many revisions, he says. It really gives you that satisfaction of eating a burger with-out the guilt to go along with it. The blueberry johnnycakes, minia-ture pancakes inspired by a revolution-ary War-era recipe, are also a hit. Its easy to enrich food with but-ter, Murray says. here, we try to find ways to make things as fresh and excit-ing as we can without the extra fat. The chef says hes always trying something new. he offers two to three specials a day. We like to have fun with it, Mur-ray says. Guests can dine inside or out-side on the restaurants spacious patio,

Lifestyleactive

FuelingtheRobbie Schaeffer

Cast Iron Skillet Fruit Cobbler

Pedalers Forks contemporary design is comfy and inviting. The restaurant is in the heart of old Town Calabasas.

Tim Retelle

which overlooks a natural creek. Light, bright and airy, the buildingcon-structed largely out of recycled lum-beris rustic yet modern. Gideon Kleinman, Pedalers marketing director, says the settings warm and welcoming aesthetic, which includes a display of vintage bicycles, lends itself to a variety of functions. If you come in with a suit and tie and you want to have a five-course meal, you can, Kleinman says. If you want to ride up here covered in mud after a mountain-bike ride, that works too. The coffeehouse at the back of the restaurant serves freshly brewed 10 Speed coffee and baked goods made on site. The cold brew Yama cof-fee takes up to 18 hours to make. The coffee shop opens at 6 a.m., so folks visiting the calabasas farmers market in the Pedalers Fork parking lot on Saturday mornings can enjoy piping hot artisan coffees before the market opens at 8. Theres also a full-service bike shop overlooking the dining patio and a bul-letin board announcing organized rides through the area. retelle says Pedalers Fork contin-ues to evolve. So far, he says, its been the ride of his life. robbie and I came into this thing with different backgrounds but the same goal, he says. I think its become bigger than any of us could have ever imagined.


Executive Chef Dan Murray

Banana Blueberry JohnnycakesQuinoa Burger

Blood Orange, Wonton & Almond SaladGreen Flatbread

Devils on Horseback Lamb Meatballs with

Xocopilli SauceFilet Mignon

Cast Iron Skillet Fruit CobblerOld Fashion Cocktail

Pedalers ForkMenU

Old Fashion Cocktail

banana blueberry JohnnycakesServes 4-6 cup red quinoa, cooked cup brown rice flour 1 Tbsp. turbinado sugar tsp. baking powder tsp. ground cinnamon dash salt cup coconut, toasted cup red walnuts 2 Tbsp. sunflower seeds 1 Tbsp. bee pollen cup hemp seed, ground cup chia seeds

1 banana, roasted cup coconut milk tsp. vanilla extract 2 Tbsp. flax seed, ground and mixed with water 3 Tbsp. water cup blueberries ToPPInG cup blueberries 1 Tbsp. bee pollen oz. edible flowers maple syrup (optional)

Prepare quinoa according to package directions. Let cool at least 20 minutes. Put dry ingredients in a bowl, mix. Add all wet ingredients except quinoa. Mix well. Add quinoa and blueberries. Mix and let rest for about 1 hour. Add other dried fruits and nuts if desired. Portion johnnycakes with an ice cream scoop onto a preheated griddle and cook until browned on both sides (about 1-2 minutes). Serve 4 johnny cakes per plate. Garnish with fresh blueberries, banana slices, bee pollen and flowers. Top with maple syrup if desired.

blood orange, Wonton & almond SaladServes 4-6 2 cups butter lettuce mix or baby mixed greens, washed 1 cup savoy cabbage, shredded 1 cup red cabbage, shredded 1 cups rainbow carrots, julienned cup red onion, julienned 2 cups blood orange, peeled and cut into rounds " thick 1 cup sliced almonds cup green onion, chopped to " pieces 2 cups wontons, julienned and fried until crisp* 3 Tbsp. sesame seeds, toasted salt and pepper to taste 1 cups miso-ginger vinaigrette (or vinaigrette dressing of your choice)

Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl, setting aside half of the fried wontons and sesame seeds. Season with a little salt and pepper. Toss with miso-ginger vinaigrette. Garnish salad with remaining fried wontons and sesame seeds.

*Wonton skins can be purchased at most grocery stores.

Quinoa burgersMakes 4 cup red onion, chopped 4 cloves garlic, chopped cup chopped carrot 1 Tbsp. canola oil pinch ground cumin, to taste pinch chili flakes, to taste cup hummus 1 cup mixed quinoa, cooked cup textured vegetable protein * tsp. lemon juice

4 hamburger buns cup hummus cup raita sauce cup feta cheese 1 small Persian cucumber, sliced cup pickled red onion cup baby arugula

Puree vegetables in a food processor. heat a saucepan over medium heat; add oil to warm. In the saucepan, sweat vegetable puree until tender with cumin, chili flakes and a pinch of salt. Spread and cool to room temperature. Put cooled vegetable paste and remaining ingredients in a bowl and mix well. cook quinoa patties on both sides until lightly browned and warmed through, about 1-2 minutes. Patties should be crispy on the outside. Toast the buns, then spread hummus on the bottom and raita sauce on top. Assemble from bottom to top with quinoa patty, feta cheese, cucumber, pickled red onion, and arugula.

*Vegetable protein can be found in the spice aisle of most grocery stores.

Green FlatbreadMakes 4 4 pieces (about 4 x 12) pizza dough cup herb pistou (or pesto) 1 heaping cup shredded mozzarella or fresh mozzarella curds 1 heaping cup asparagus, cut in 1 pieces 1 cup baby artichoke hearts, cleaned and cut in half 1 cup broccoli florets 6 leaves baby kale, washed cup burrata cheese

Quinoa Burger

Banana Blueberry Johnnycakes

ReCIPeS oN PAGE 72

Devils on HorsebackMakes 12 12 medjool dates cup blue cheese crumbles 6 pieces bacon, halved toothpicks

Slice dates partially through lengthwise and remove the pit. Stuff each date with about 1 tsp. blue cheese crumbles. Wrap each date with a half-slice of bacon and secure with toothpick. Deep fry at 350o for about 6 minutes, or bake in oven at 350o for 30-40 minutes or until bacon is crisp.

Devils on Horseback

Lamb meatballs with xocopilli SauceServes 4-6 1 lb. ground lamb cup onion, chopped cup carrot, chopped cup celery, chopped 1 cup panko breadcrumbs 1 Tbsp. kosher salt Tbsp. black pepper, ground Tbsp. cumin seed, toasted and ground 2 cage-free eggs 3-4 cups vegetable stock (as needed)

2 cups cooked couscous, prepared according to package instructions 2 cups Xocopilli sauce* parsley and chives as needed to garnish

Mix together lamb, onion, carrot, celery, breadcrumbs, salt, pepper, cumin seed and eggs in a bowl. Portion 16-20 meatballs using 1-oz. scoop, about the size of ping-pong balls. Place on a sheet pan and let rest 30 minutes in refrigerator. In a saucepan, bring cooking stock to a simmer and pour half into a roasting pan. Place meatballs in stock. Meatballs should be about half-submerged in the liquid. cover with foil and bake at 375o for 20-25 minutes to an internal temperature of 150o. remove cover. (Meatballs can be made 3-5 days ahead if refrigerated in airtight container.) For individual servings: In a bowl, scoop cup couscous, top with 4-5 meatballs and drizzle


Spread pizza dough on a sheet tray. Spread pistou on the pizza dough, covering the whole surface. Layer mozzarella, then vegetables, and top with 3 dollops of burrata. cook in 450o oven for 10-20 minutes, until cheese is melted and the bottom crust is lightly browned. Serve hot.


In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks. John Muir

Find yourself, lose yourself

on the trail


etting away from civilization and into nature can heal the soul, sharpen the senses and revitalize the body. Whether you live in calabasas, the conejo Valley, camarillo, Moorpark or Simi Valley,

you are within reach of a wealth of hiking trails that can bring you closer to the healing powers of the great outdoors.

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Sunlight gleaming through a majestic oak tree makes a morning hike magical.

Left: A trail winds through a field of wild mustard leading to Boney Mountain.

Trails allow city dwellers to stretch their physical and spiritual limits while exploring new surroundings. The antic-ipation of discovering what lies beyond the next ridge, zigzagging up and down steep and narrow switchback trails, and leisurely strolling through grasslands dotted with oak groves are all part of the adventure. The terrain and destinations are as varied as the people who visit the park-lands to get away from it all. one trail may wind through a grove of redwoods in Malibu creek State Park while an-other takes you to soothing and refresh-ing waterfalls in Solstice canyon or Wildwood Park. Still others lead to eye-catching rock formations overlooking Simi Valley, newbury Park and Malibu. The songs of wild birds and occasional deer and coyote sightings make the out-door experience even more special. What I like about all of the lo-cal trails are the spectacular viewsthe ocean, the mountains, the valleys. The terrain varies. At times you are in lush greenery and other times seem-ingly desert conditions, says Andrea roschke of oak Park.

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Hikers walk with their dogs (on leash) on a trail near the Satwiwa Culture Center in Newbury Park on a sunny spring day.

Lake eleanor Open Space, Westlake village 2.5 miles, easyThis trail is relatively flat and somewhat rocky, but worth traversing for the lovely views of Lake eleanor and Lake Sherwood plus wildflowers in the spring. Trailhead: At the end of highgate road off Triunfo canyon road.

Lang Ranch and Woodridge Open Space System, thousand Oaks 10 miles of trails, easy to strenuousWell-maintained trails and panoramic views are yours in northeast T.o.s open space. Those up for a big hike can connect to Simi Valley and Agoura hills from this system. Trailhead: The east end of Lang ranch Parkway.

Los Robles trail and Open Space System, Conejo valley 25 miles of trails, easy to strenuousThis ridgeline trail system spanning from newbury Park to Westlake Village has many ascents and descents for a good workout.Trailhead: Many access points, but a popular one is at the south end of Moorpark road in Thousand oaks.

Potrero Ridge Open Space, Newbury Park 200 acres of open space, easy to moderateSeveral short, hilly trails with multiple access points provide quick hikes near the Las Brisas area of newbury Park.Trailhead: There are many starting points. one with paved parking is on the west side of Wendy Drive between Peppermint and Felton streets.

Rancho Sierra vista/Satwiwa trail system, Newbury Park 13 miles of various trails and loops, easy to strenuous rolling hills, a native American culture center, plus views of (or a hike to) Boney Mountain on a trail to the ocean provide something for everyone. Trailhead: Wendy Drive at Potrero road.

Wildwood Regional Park, thousand Oaks 14 trails covering 17 miles, easy to strenuousMiles of open space with rolling meadows, volcanic outcroppings and two waterfalls offer hiking adventures for all levels. Trailhead: At the west end of Avenida de Los Arboles off of Lynn road.

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roschke, who hikes every Sunday morning with a group of friends called Uphill Moms, says her three favorite hiking spots are Sandstone Peak at circle X ranch, Wildwood Park in Thousand oaks and china Flat, a six-mile loop trail between oak Park and Simi Valley. I enjoy hiking so much because I am getting exercise, having amazing conversations with my good friends and drinking in the sights. It clears my head after working crazy hours all week, and fills my heart and soul. It gives me perspective, says roschke, who owns a tax and accounting firm in calabasas. Its definitely a heal-ing experience, and starts my week off right. With hundreds of miles of walking, cycling and equestrian paths, the Santa Monica Mountains and Ventura county back-country are a magnet for nature lovers.


Cheeseboro Canyon/Palo Comado trails, agoura Hills 14 miles, easy to strenuousFollow an old ranch road along a streambed and through oak groves. From there, trails of all levels branch off. A great area to watch for owls, hawks and other raptors.Trailhead: chesebro and Palo comado canyon roads.

China Flat/Simi Peak, Oak Park 6 miles, moderate to strenuousA steep ascent eventually takes you to china Flat, a lovely area with sprawling meadows dotted with oak tree groves and then to Simi Peak, the highest point in the Simi hills.Trailhead: Go north on Lindero canyon road and park at the china Flat trailhead sign on the left between King James court and Wembly Avenue.

Cold Creek trail, Calabasas 4.5 miles, moderateAlso known as the Secret Trail, this hike offers panoramic views and up-close looks at sandstone slabs, boulders and caves. Trailhead: 24270 Mulholland highway.

malibu Creek State Park, Calabasas 15 miles of trails, easy to moderateThis 7,000-acre state park is most famous as the home of the outdoor set of televisions M*A* S*h, but this gem has more to offer with scenery befitting its nickname, The Yosemite of Southern california. The redwood grove is a special treat.Trailhead: 1925 Las Virgenes road.

Oak Canyon Park, Oak Park 1.6 miles, easynewbie hikers and young families will feel secure in this nature preserve. The trail loops through oak forests and over Medea creek and a pond features a manmade waterfall.Trailhead: 5600 hollytree Drive.

Paramount Ranch, agoura Hills 1.5 miles, easyThis filming ranch, where many movies and TV series have been shot, is open to visitors and makes a great family outing with a maze of trails that branch out from the Western town. Trailhead: 2903 cornell road.

Peter Strauss Ranch, agoura Hills 1 mile, easy to moderateThis scenic ranch includes the original ranch house and remnants of a pool and dance floor, plus plenty of trees and a lovely lawn for a relaxing picnic-style mini-hike.Trailhead: 30000 Mulholland highway at Troutdale Drive.

upper Las virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve, Calabasas 11.2 miles of trails, easy with some moderate climbsMore commonly known as Ahmanson ranch, this area was saved from development in 2003. now the rolling hills dotted with oak trees provide an easy and scenic hiking area.Trailhead: north end of Las Virgenes road.

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big Sky trail, Simi valley 4.5 mile loop, easy to moderateThis convenient hike in the Santa Susana mountain foothills intertwines with a housing development and parallels a streambed. Great for kids or those who want to stay near civilization.Trailhead: north of the 118 on erringer road. Look for a small parking lot on your right across from the fire station.

Canyon view trail, Simi valley 2.3 miles, easy to moderateonce home to chumash Indians and later ranchers, this area offers rolling grasslands and abundant wildlife and is a gateway to connecting trails in Thousand oaks.Trailhead: on Long canyon road a few hundred feet east of Wood ranch Parkway.

Chumash trail, Simi valley 2.5 miles, moderateA perfect trail for a morning jaunt into the hills. It also connects to more strenuous and lengthy trails if you want to take it up a notch.Trailhead: At the end of Flanagan Drive off the Yosemite Avenue freeway exit.

Corriganville Park, Simi valley 4 miles, easyone of Simis gems, corriganville features old movie sets nestled in oak groves and rock cliffs. A great hike for kids. Trailhead: Turn east on Smith road from Kuehner Drive.

A deer runs freely throughthe Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve, also known as Ahmanson Ranch.

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The trails offer many kinds of recreational opportu-nities. People can do intense hikes or mountain biking for exercise or go on an inexpensive family outing to get away from technology. hiking is a great way to get a workout and, because the scen-ery can be so captivating, you may not even feel youre working hard. The local trails provide fabulous picnic spots and are a good way to get away from it all on a romantic date. About 33 million visitors come to the Santa Monica Moun-tains national recreation Area each year. The most common thing people say about hiking in the Santa Monica Mountains is how special it is to be able to fully immerse yourself in the outdoors while living near the second-largest metropolitan area in the nation, says Kate Kuykendall, spokesperson for the recreation area, which is part of the national Park System.


Happy Camp Canyon Regional Park, moorpark 12 miles of trails, easy to moderateopen riparian oak woodland vegetation provides a lovely outdoor experience that can include wildflowers and wildlife.Trailhead: Take Moorpark Avenue to Broadway Avenue.

monte vista Nature Park, moorpark 5 acres of open space, easyPerfect for those who want a little more than an urban walk, this area provides easy trails in a parklike setting.Trailhead: Spring road near Tierra rejada road.

mt. mcCoy trail, Simi valley 2.2 miles, moderateKnown for the cross at the top of the peak, which can be seen throughout Simi. once at the summit, hikers are also rewarded with 360-degree views. Trailhead: Washburn Street at Los Amigos Avenue in western Simi.

Rocky Peak trail, Simi valley 10 miles, moderate to strenuousViews of two valleys plus fascinating rock formations including a sandstone wind-made cave.Trailhead: exit at rocky Peak from the 118 Freeway and park just north of the bridge.

Above, an interesting rock formation reaches skyward along the Backbone Trail near Castro Crest. Below, a canyon in Malibu Creek State Park beckons hikers.

FOr THOSe wHO wANT MOre We can only list a few of the dozens of great hikes in our region. For more details on these and other hikes, check out these sites: www.localhikes.com www.nps.gov/samo www.scout.me www.cosf.org www.venturacountytrails.org Malibuhiking.com www.calihike.blogspot.com

To make contact with other hikers in your area, check out the meetup groups in your area at www.meetup.com.

Agoura Hills: www.meetup.com/The- Weekday-Trailblazers/Calabasas: www.meetup.com/calabasasdayhikers/Newbury Park: www.meetup.com/hike-to-health/Simi Valley: www.meetup.com/Simi-Trail-BlazersThousand Oaks: www.meetup.com/Toaks-hikers/

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Staying safe while hiking is just a mat-ter of doing some research and planning before setting out. here are a few things to keep in mind:

Carryamap.Notalltrailheadspro-vide them, but park websites often have maps that can be printed and brought on the hike. Watch out for ticks, which can car-ry disease.

rattlesnakes are native to the area. Pay attention to where youre walking and give snakes a wide berth.

Avoid poison oak by staying on trails.

Bring enough water to stay hydrated.

Basic safety supplies to carry include a fully charged cellphone, a light jacket, a whistle and a signal mirror.

Long pants and long-sleeved shirts provide protection from sun, poison oak and insect bites. Light colored clothing can make it easy to spot ticks.

Dont hike alone; theres safety in numbers. If you do go alone, let some-one know where youre going and when you expect to be back. P

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Before you hit the trail

Young brothers partner up while hiking on a warm spring day along a fire road in Ahmanson Ranch in Calabasas.

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HIKING oN PAGE 71

Bonnie clarfield, a supervisory ranger with the national Park Service, says open spaces are a sanctuary for the weary. If youre stressed out, its almost like getting rebooted when youre out there. clarfield, an avid birder and hiker, urges trail users to stay on marked paths and keep dogs on a leash to protect sensitive habitat and wildlife. We have an incredible ecosystem, and were in a very special zone with diverse plants and animals, says the park ranger, who has been working to protect park visitors and natural resources for 25 years. one of her favorite hiking spots is the Mishe Mokwa loop trail at circle X ranch. The five-mile trail meanders through chaparral and riparian habitat as well as rocky areas, and hikers can climb to the top of Sandstone Peak, the highest mountain be-tween Malibu and the conejo Valley. The flavor of the trails, especially the popular ones, is different on week-days than on weekends and holidays, clarfield says. Places like Malibu creek State Park and Solstice canyon are relatively quiet during the week. The region also has fun, little-known trails, like a half-mile forested path in Peter Strauss ranch near Kanan road and a two-mile loop at Arroyo Sequit off of Mulholland highway above Leo carrillo State Park. Geoff Kish of Moorpark says one of his favorite spots is Mugu Peak be-cause the five-mile trek offers a panoramic view of the ocean and a grassland valley with amazing changes of topography. Thats the place more than anywhere else that made me feel this is truly a beautiful natural area, says Kish, a deputy director of the Santa Monica Mountains Fund, which

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Beyond The Acorn - Outdoor Living - Spring 2014

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