We have one Sooky Goldman to thank for the treasure that is Franklin Canyon, which sounds like a subplot out of "Chinatown":

In 1914, William Mulholland and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (DWP) began construction of a reservoir in upper Franklin Canyon to distribute water newly brought from the Owens Valley. The family of oil baron Edward L. Doheny used the canyon as a summer retreat and a place to graze and water their cattle. The Doheny family built the Spanish style home in lower Franklin Canyon in 1935. During the 1970's the canyon was set for development when conservationist Sooky Goldman and Congressman Howard Berman encouraged the Department of Water and Power and the National Park Service to make Franklin Canyon a park. The National Park Service purchased the Franklin Canyon Ranch in 1981 as part of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. That year, the William O. Douglas Outdoor Classroom—named for the Supreme Court justice and environmentalist whose eloquence on behalf of America’s wildlands will long be remembered—began the continuing service of providing free educational programs to the public and local schools.

Franklin Canyon comprises 605 acres, including a three-acre lake, an Eagle-Scout-built duck pond, at least five miles of hiking trails, a vast array of wildflowers, sycamore, oaks, chapparral, redwood, and walnut trees, as well as indigenous wildlife and, especially now, a bird watcher's delight (It's part of the Pacific Flyway, making it a regular migrating bird stop.) And that's not including the Sooky Goldman Nature Center, the William O. Douglas Outdoor Classroom, the Sam Goldman Amphitheater, the Rosenfeld Auditorium, and ample picnic and parking facilities - all free. Like all of the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy lands, it offers many free programs such as beginner's hikes, botanical drawing workshops, and educational programs - most weekdays you can see groups of schoolchildren exploring the park with the help of the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority Docents.

Franklin is home to rabbits, squirrels, rats, mice, and seven species of hawks, not to mention snakes and mountain lions, so it's a good idea to stop at the Nature Center first to get acclimated. There's also restrooms and water on the premises.

If your surroundings feel oddly familiar to you, you're not suffering from deja-vu. That indeed is the "fishin' hole" that Opie threw his rock into, which also was the Creature's Black Lagoon, as well as "Golden Pond" - not to mention the rural roads in "It Happened One Night," "Bonanza," "Lassie," otherworldy vistas in "Star Trek" and just about every episode of "Combat!" The lake also served as the backdrop for at least two album covers: The Rolling Stones "Big Hits (High Tide and Green Grass)" and Simon and Garfunkel's "The Sounds of Silence."

Overall Workout: Totally up to you - trails range from leisurely stroll to vigorous, sweat-inducing climbs. All trails are clearly marked on maps available at the Nature Center, where the Docent will be happy to give you tips. Or, check the website before you go.

Hobby-Developing Potential: High. With the exception of our rare seasonal rain, there's no excuses like sweaty gyms or noisy machines to keep you from going.

Next-Day Pain: You decide. Remember to wear appropriate shoes and carry water - and if you don't know your poison ivy, oak, or sumacs, wear long pants and socks. (A handy rhyme: "Leaf of three - beware of thee!")

Cost: FREE!

Franklin Canyon
2600 Franklin Canyon Drive,
Beverly Hills
Phone: (310) 858-7272

There are two entrances to Franklin Canyon, check here for directions and other information.

Photos by Donna Lethal for LAist. Left Photo: pollinators of the purple sage.