A weekend away in the West San Fernando Valley

There’s a welcome abundance of light — and lighting — in the hotel’s well-appointed guestrooms. The amenities include flat-screen TVs and DVD players. Read more in staff writer Valli Herman’s March 28, 2007 review.  (Ken Hively/ Los Angeles Times)

The bar in the Asian-themed Onyx restaurant at the Four Seasons in Westlake Village.  (Ken Hively/ Los Angeles Times)

There’s plenty of room in the Four Seasons indoor pool for laps, dog paddling or frolicking. Then grab a thirsty towel and a pool-side chaise longue.  (Ken Hively/ Los Angeles Times)

Need a facial, massage or some other pampering? The hotel’s large Euro-Asian spa is just a short stroll from guestrooms.  (Ken Hively/ Los Angeles Times)

Sushi chef Masa Matsumoto serves out some sushi at his restaurant, Sushi Yotsuya in Tarzana.  (Lori Shepler/ Los Angeles Times)

Salmon eggs, uni, hamachi, spanish mackerel and salmon from Sushi Yotsuya on Ventura Boulevard in Tarzana.  (Mel Melcon/ Los Angeles Times)

The indoor dining area of Saddle Peak Lodge in Calabasas, an old hunting lodge/game restaurant in the Santa Monica mountains.  (Spencer Weiner/ Los Angeles Times)

Seared New Zealand Elk Tenderloin served with chestnut veloute, bacon lardon, pearl onions and chive spatzle at the Saddle Peak Lodge in Calabasas.  (Mel Melcon/ Los Angeles Times)

Malibu Creek State Park is a popular place for hiking and mountain biking.  (Pete Thomas/ Los Angeles Times)

Brian Rooney stands next to a re-creation of the signpost from the television series, “MASH” near the show’s former filming location in Malibu Creek State Park.  (Genaro Molina/ Los Angeles Times)

Amateur photographers will find no shortage of willing subjects at Malibu Creek State Park during the spring time. The park is a stopping place for ducks and other migratory waterfowl.  (Pete Thomas/ Los Angeles Times)

Cool off after a hike or bike ride with a dive into the rock pool at Malibu Creek State Park.  (Ricardo DeAratanha/ Los Angeles Times)