Mandeville Canyon Road

Bicyclists are a common sight on Mandeville Canyon Road. And although there’s steady traffic on the road during the day, motorists keep a careful eye out for bicycle riders.  (Lori Shepler / Los Angeles Times)

A large house backs up to lush foliage in the canyon, which was once known as Casa Viejo Cañon.  (Lori Shepler / Los Angeles Times)

What lies behind this gate? From the looks of what’s popping out, a lovely house that offers spectacular views of the canyon.  (Lori Shepler / Los Angeles Times)

One owner along Mandeville Canyon Road went for a desert theme in the landscaping: cactuses and other arid foliage.  (Lori Shepler / Los Angeles Times)

The canyon is a leafy, rustic enclave amid the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles. And although the neighborhood is popular with stars of the Hollywood variety, the focus here is more on the stars in the sky and the natural beauty.  (Lori Shepler / Los Angeles Times)

A large house is tucked behind a gate and hedges along Mandeville Canyon Road. The canyon is lined with a mix of ranch-style, Spanish, French Normandy and modern homes.  (Lori Shepler / Los Angeles Times)

The footpath is fenced to keep pedestrians and cars separate on Mandeville Canyon Road. A popular activity is exploring the canyon’s trails, by foot or by horseback, or simply walking on the paths along the main road.  (Lori Shepler / Los Angeles Times)

The footpath is lush and inviting in Mandeville Canyon. One longtime resident enjoys the area for all the trails — and all the creatures that share the canyon too. “We have coyotes, mountain lions, deer, rattlesnakes, roadrunner birds and about everything else under the sun,” he says.  (Lori Shepler / Los Angeles Times)

The canyon -- in the Brentwood area of Los Angeles -- is a place where nature is never very far away. This is Pampas grass.  (Lori Shepler / Los Angeles Times)