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King Gillette Ranch: An Easy Hike with Great Views
A short drive past the western edges of the San Fernando Valley proves the Los Angeles' area's immediate surrounding beauty. Across the street from Malibu Creek State Park, King Gillette Ranch is a simple park offering trails into the Santa Monica Mountains and one short, but steep hike to a hill with sweeping views of the mountains (see the above photos).
The park was bought from a small private university a few years ago by the state's Mountain Recreation Conservation Authority to keep as land open space for the public and for wildlife instead of development. The land's history covers everything from Chumash indians to King Camp Gillette (yes, think razors) to Bob Hope.
Currently the park, with its four main buildings still on the property, is in the midst of a planning process to figure out possible future use for the land. The park is located on Mulholland Highway just east of Las Virgenes off the 101 freeway. Parking is $7.