Retreat to a ‘Gentleman’s Ranch’

Billowing grass and seasonal wildflowers paint a pastoral landscape on the slopes of O’Melveny Park, L.A.’s second-largest park. Located at the north end of the San Fernando Valley, O’Melveny Park is the principal recreation area in the Santa Susana Mountains.

O’Melveny Park takes its name from the well-known family of Los Angeles lawyers who once owned a “gentleman’s ranch” there. Attorney John O’Melveny bought the land in 1941 and called it CJ Ranch. Cattle roamed the hills, a citrus orchard was planted and family members enjoyed spending weekends roaming the Santa Susana Mountains. The family ranch house, barn and orchard still stand near the park entrance.

Although areas near the ranch were oil-rich, exploration on the ranch was unsuccessful. The O’Melvenys deeded half of their ranch to Los Angeles and the city purchased the rest. The 720-acre park, which opened in 1981, includes a large developed picnic area and rugged land laced with 10 miles of trail.

In spring, a host of wildflowers--poppies, morning glory, Indian paintbrush and Mariposa lily--splash the hillsides. Wildlife in O’Melveny Park includes deer, golden eagle, bobcat, rabbit, raccoon and coyote--quite a contrast next to the super-suburban San Fernando Valley.

Bee Canyon--a narrow gorge, actually--has a creek that runs most of the year and a surprisingly wild ambience. At the mouth of the canyon is the ranch house and barn that once belonged to the O’Melveny family. The canyon is a reminder of how much the family must have enjoyed their retreat during the 1940s at the edge of the then-remote San Fernando Valley. Bee Canyon also suggests some of the delights farther back in the Santa Susana Mountains that still need to be preserved. The canyon is an ideal “tyke hike”; kids love poking around the lushly vegetated creek bottom.

Hikers looking for more of a challenge will enjoy the trek from Bee Canyon to Mission Point. It’s 4 1/2 miles round trip, with a 1,400-foot elevation gain. Views of the Southland from 2,771-foot Mission Point are often quite good.

Directions to the trail head: From the Golden State Freeway (5) in Granada Hills, exit on Balboa Boulevard and head north to Orozco Street. Turn left and drive along the park’s panhandle to parking for the picnic area.

The hike: Begin at the north end of the extensive picnic grounds and follow the trail into the canyon. To your right are dramatic, skyscraping sedimentary cliffs; to your left, some shady oaks. Half a mile along the willow-crowded creek, you’ll see a fire road on the left, ascending out of the canyon. You can loop back to the main part of the park on the road.

A rougher trail continues up the creek another half-mile to the park boundary.

Where: O’Melveny Park, north San Fernando Valley. Distance: 2 miles or so round trip; longer hikes possible. Terrain: Oak and walnut trees line the base of the canyon’s highest sedimentary rock walls. Highlights: Exploring the wild side of the city’s second largest park. Great walk for kids. Degree of difficulty: Easy. For more information: Contact the park office at (818) 368-5019.