Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve - Lasky Mesa
The spirit of Old Hollywood reverberates across the lush rolling landscape of this 5,600-acre preserve in the Simi Hills. Once known as Ahmanson Ranch, it served as a backdrop for epic movie scenes (“The Thundering Herd,” “Gone with the Wind”) in the first half of the 20th century.
Perched near the Lasky Mesa Trail in the preserve’s southern reaches, this bench sits beside the broad plateau for which the trail is named, a nod to motion picture pioneer Jesse L. Lasky. It can be reached near the halfway point of a well-maintained 5-mile loop trail
It offers not only a front-row view of the stunning mesa, but also an opportunity to reflect on the vast protected parkland that surrounds you. Targeted for residential development on and off for a century, the land is now a hiking and mountain biking hub and home to the endangered San Fernando Valley spineflower, red-legged frogs, and rare native grasslands.
Bench coordinates: 34°10'36.0"N 118°41'18.5"W
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The bench can be reached by a 5-mile lollipop loop trail that begins at Victory Trailhead. The terrain is mostly fire road and single track, with moderate elevation gain.
There is very little shade; bring sunscreen, hats and plenty of water.
Wildflowers (golden poppies, elderberries, purple lupine) and green grassland blanket the hills in late winter and spring; summer and fall bring a paler landscape interspersed with chaparral and occasional shade from mature oaks.
Highlights include panoramic San Fernando Valley views, a seasonal stream, and endless rolling hills with no major elevation gains.
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Victory Trailhead: western end of Victory Boulevard, Hidden Hills 91367. Park in the lot for $3; there is also limited free street parking on Victory Boulevard.
There is one portable restroom near the trailhead.
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From Victory Trailhead, follow the wide fire road (East Las Virgenes Canyon) west along a well-maintained fire road.
At approximately 2.2 miles, take the unmarked trail on the left and make a second left on an unmarked fire road. Follow the fire road to an unmarked intersection; bypassing the narrower trails, continue ascending gradually on the main fire road about 0.5 mile. The bench is on your left.
Continue along the fire road to Crummer Ranch Road and turn left before you reach the road gate. Follow the unmarked Ahmanson Ranch trail east back to Victory Trailhead parking lot.
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From the I-405 freeway, head north on the I-101 freeway 11 miles to Exit 29/Valley Circle Drive.
Turn right on Valley Circle Drive and follow it north 3 miles to Victory Boulevard. Turn left on Victory and continue 1 mile to the Victory Trailhead parking lot.