Barbara and I closed our 2025 hikes by showcasing how lucky we are to live and hike in Southern California. Point Mugu State Park hosts the end of the Santa Monica Mountain range that sweeps across Los Angeles County from Griffith Park to the nearly impassable Pacific shoreline end point we hiked above today. Thanks to Mother Nature, every inch of trails were coated with thick, and sometimes deep, mud from last week's rains. And because of the rain, the mountains and canyon around us were painted green. Winter is the prettiest hiking season here, and we got the full show today. 

The Chumash occupied this land for 6,000 years prior to the Spanish invasion in the 1850s, and named the point "Mugu" from the Chumash "Muwu," meaning "beach." Point Mugu State Park's 13,300 acres contain 5 miles of shoreline and 70 miles of hiking trails. The Sycamore Canyon Campground sits across PCH from the beach and has straight access to the mountain trails. The conditions are great except for the occasional mountain lion. Keep the kids close and the pup on a leash. If you see the rare lion, do not aggravate, and everything should be fine. Other wildlife? Barbara and I saw one California Scrub Jay perched at the very top of a tree, watching us pass. We hiked the loop counterclockwise, starting on the Sycamore Canyon Fire Road then turning left (west) onto the Overlook Fire Road, a series of switchbacks climbing higher up the mountains—an easy climb. Overlook took us to the western edge and a stunning view of the Pacific. The clear blue morning sky above the icy blue ocean swept the eye from Catalina to the Channel Islands. Just so very pretty. Because the trail into the mountains lacks trees aka shade, doing this hike during the winter months tempers brutal heat of the summer. We warmed up fast, and the gloves and hats we thought we needed in the initial 50 degree temps, quickly ended up in our pockets. We picked up the pretty Scenic Trail at the turnaround point for the hike back down into the canyon. Wear your oldest shoes for the muddy trails or in case you miss the opposite bank of the stream hop like I did. So very pretty. Go for the hike or bring your tent for an overnight. We are so lucky.