Mulholland dirt is fancier.

Mulholland Drive, Woodland Hills

Every time I drive Mulholland (or Reseda, or Ventura Blvd, for that matter), I can't help but sing a little Tom Petty.  As we walked along, and I scanned a very crowded San Fernando Valley, all I heard in my head was I wanna glide down over Mulholland. I wanna write her name in the sky. Gonna free fall out into nothin'. Gonna leave this world for a while.

Sing it with me now! And I'm free, free fallin'!

As a side note, I kind of want to hike back to each these places and raise a 12 flag at the top of all of them! SEA-HAWKS!

My shoes got dirty...

...so I'm calling it a hike. Well, technically two. 

Santa Susana Park, Simi Valley

There's no better way to finish breakfast at Old Santa Susana Cafe (banana pancakes = deliciousness), than to stroll around this park. If you haven't been, they have the coolest rocks there. I was too busy walking THROUGH them to take a picture, but it's worth seeing.

After going under the railroad tracks, in a very reverberant tunnel, I might add, we hit a trailhead...or a worn down path up some rocks. So neat to watch the clouds moving across the hills!

Sage Ranch, Simi Valley

Fast forward a few hours, and up into Woolsey Canyon we go. The first time I was up here, the sun was setting on Conejo Valley and you could see for miles. There are big rocks, green grass, and 360 views. On a summer day, this is where I'd like to pack a picnic and spend some time with a good book. 

"I want to take a hike with you."

Charmlee Wilderness Park, Encinal Canyon

How have I never been out this way?? As if the green hills weren't spectacular enough, (thank you, rain!)...

...we rounded a corner to an ocean view.  Sometimes when I'm at the beach down here, I think about how it's the same ocean as my friends in WA get to see (aww, I may be a little homesick right now!)

There were some giant boulders and great trees. The little kid in me wanted to climb all over them! I didn't though because I still don't know how to get down...

Oh, and one of the beautiful girl we hiked with ;)