| | | |
Point Mugu State Park - Site # 170 |
|
|
Background: | This park located in the Santa Monica Mountains encompasses 5 miles of sandy coastline, rocky bluffs, native grasslands, and unspoiled backcountry accessible only on foot or by horse. At Sycamore Cove and Thorn hill Broome, watch for gulls, cormorants, shorebirds, and brown pelicans and least terns, both endangered in California. Year-round populations of harbor seals, California sea lions, and common dolphins are joined by migratory California gray whales. Monarch butterflies cluster on trees at Sycamore Canyon Campground; look here and near the creek for Nuttall's woodpeckers, California thrashers, and many songbirds. The rugged 6,000-acre Boney Mountain Wilderness Area sustains resident mule deer, gray foxes, skunks, even mountain lions. Bats roost among the sycamores, a spring destination for breeding flycatchers, hummingbirds, and wrens. |
| Sycamre Canyon Nature Center |
|
The Habitat: | Coastal sage scrub (65%), native grasslands (10%), chaparral (10%), riparian corridors (10%), and beach (5%). |
|
The Experience: | This large park is isolated from urban influences. |
|
Wildlife and Where to Find It: | Viewing from over 70 miles of trails and 5 miles of shoreline. Sycamore Canyon Fire road offers six miles of easy hiking. Other trails are more strenuous. |
|
Viewing Tips: | More than 200 bird species. Marine, wading birds, and songbirds are seen year-round; songbirds best in April and May, September and October. High probability of seeing shorebirds from August through April, whales from December to April. Watch marine birds from Mugu Rock. Excellent whale watching at Point Dume State Park. |
|
Site Notes: | Sycamore Canyon cuts through the center of the park and offers miles of beautiful sycamore savanna viewing on a nearly level park fire road. Sycamore creek meanders through the valley floor. Boney Mountains wilderness overlooks the canyon and contains a wild landscape of dense chaparral and massive boulders. La Jolla Valley in the eastern portion of the park supports rare nature grasslands that can be reached via several trails winding through fragrant coastal sage scrub. Sycamore Cove is a quite beach where dolphins, whales, pelicans, and other seabirds can be observed. |
|
Nearby Viewing Sites: | Leo Carillo State Park
Santa Monica National Recreation Area
Nicholas Canyon County Beach
Point Dume State Beach
Robert H. Meyer Memorial State Beach |
|
Visitor Information: | Oxnard Chamber of Commerce - (805)385-5560 - www.oxnardchamber.org |
Viewing Site Hours of Operation are: |
Staff On-site: | Yes |
Open: | Everday |
Hours: | Sunrise - Sunset |
Year Round: | Yes |
Seasonal: | Park is closed for fires. |
|
Road Information: |
Paved. Gravel. Dirt. |
| Road Hazards: no |
| Number of Parking Spaces: 405 |
| Parking Fee: Yes |
| Proximity to viewing area:close |
| Pull-Through Parking: Yes |
| Parking Danger: Use caution when entering or exiting Pacific Coast Highway. |
|
How to Get There: | From Oxnard on Highway 1, drive south 12 miles to entrance. |
|
Contact Information |
Managing Agency: | California State Parks |
Agency Site URL: | www.parks.ca.gov |
Physical Address: | 9000 W. Pacific Coast Highway Malibu, CA 90265 |
Agency 2: | same as above , CA |
Manager Phone: | (310)457-8140 |
Contact Us: | by Email |
Site Phone: | (818) 880-0350 | | |
County: | Ventura |
Addition Website: |
|