FEBRUARY 9 - CHESEBRO CANYON (AKA CHEESEBORO), Agoura

The first signs of spring should greet us as the rolling hills begin to green.  There are fine mountain vistas from the parking area, but if you take the trail and veer off at the first right (about 1/8 mile) you will descend into a pretty valley with an historic farm and outbuildings, wooden fencing, and stately Savannah Oaks.  Take Ventura Freeway (101) to Chesebro Road Exit.  Turn north on Palo Comado Canyon Rd., then right on Chesebro.  Go north 1 mile to park entrance.  Turn right and follow road to parking lot.  Facilities.  No fee.

 

MARCH 8 - POINT DUME HEADLANDS, 7200 Westward Beach Road, Malibu

Masses of brilliant yellow giant coreopsis should be in full bloom this time of year.  Point Dume forms the western end of Santa Monica Bay and also offers views of Westward and Zuma Beaches.  From PCH, drive west past Kanan Road to Westward Beach Road.  Turn left onto Westward Beach Road and proceed to furthest parking area closest to Point Dume.  Parking fee.  Facilities.  Board Meeting follows.               

 

APRIL 12 - CIRCLE X RANCH, Yerba Buena Road

We can set up easels near the station parking area to capture spectacular views of Boney Ridge or follow the downhill trail and check out the waterfalls and lush landscape, if we’ve had a good rain.  Take Pacific Coast Hwy to Yerba Buena Road.  Turn inland: go 6 miles to Circle X Ranch contact station.  Facilities. No fee.

 

MAY 10 - MALIBU LAGOON STATE BEACH, 23200 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu

How to get the best angle on a lagoon filled with waterfowl or bridges over marsh plants or the surfer beach scene is our artistic quest at this lovely park not far from the Malibu Pier.  Take Pacific Coasts Highway to Cross Creek Road (0.25 mile west of Malibu Pier).  Parking Lot is on ocean side of PCH.  Fee.  Facilities.  Board Meeting follows.

 

JUNE 14 - WILL ROGERS STATE HISTORIC PARK, 1501 Will Rogers State Park Rd., Pacific Palisades

JULY 12 - BROAD BEACH, Malibu

Beat the heat at this secluded beach which has great rock formations that seem to rise and fall with the tides.  We will meet at the gated entrance at Broad Beach Road and West Sea Level Drive.  Limited parking so carpool   where possible.  Take Pacific Coast Highway to Broad Beach Road (past Trancus) and turn left.  Look for parking immediately.  No facilities.  No fee.  Board Meeting follows.

 

  AUGUST 9 - PALISADES PARK BLUFF - 4:00 P.M. to Sunset - Pacific Palisades

A new location (for us) discovered by Bruce Trentham, this vantage overlooks Will Rogers State Beach and provides views up and down the coast as we await the summer sunset.  From PCH, take Temescal up to Sunset Blvd., and turn right (southeast).  Go a few blocks to Swarthmore and turn right.  Proceed until you hit the park.  Residential parking.  Look for the red flag.

 

 SEPTEMBER 13 - ADAMSON HOUSE - 23200 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu

The grounds of Adamson House provide ample inspiration, from beautiful gardens to tile-lined walks, to views of  the Malibu Pier and the Malibu Lagoon.  OIL PAINTERS NOTE: BRING A TARP TO PLACE UNDER THE  EASEL.  Near Malibu Pier, parking lot is on ocean side of Pacific Coast Highway,  opposite Serra Road.  Fee.  Facilities.  Board Meeting follows.

 

 OCTOBER 11 - MALIBU CREEK STATE PARK, 1925 Las Virgenes Road, Calabasas

Grizzly bears and antelope once roamed this valley, as well as Chumash Indians.  Valley and Coast Live Oaks provide shaded corridors to paint under, while we inhale the scent of California sagebrush and purple sage.  From 101 Freeway, exit Las Virgenes Road.  Go 3 miles south, past Mulholland Hwy intersection to park  entrance on right.  From PCH, go north on Malibu Canyon Road to park entrance on left.  Facilities.  Fee.

 

  NOVEMBER 8 - PETER STRAUSS RANCH, 3000 Mulholland, Agoura

A perennial favorite, artists like to paint the sycamores’ yellow winter leaves, as well as the quaint ranch house and views of Paramount Peak.  Take Kanan Road from either the 101 Fwy or PCH.  Turn east on Troutdale Road.  At the Mulholland intersection turn left.  Parking on right.  Facilities.  No fee. Board Meeting follows.

 

  DECEMBER 13 - SOKA/KING GILLETTE RANCH, Mulholland at Las Virgenes