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View of Mugu Rock at Point Mugu State Park, a coastal landmark with rugged terrain and the Pacific Ocean in the background.
Mugu Rock, Point Mugu State Park. Credit: user King of Hearts, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Ventura County Landmark No. 14: Point Mugu State Park

Historical Background

Point Mugu State Park, located in the Santa Monica Mountains, features five miles of ocean shoreline with rocky bluffs, sandy beaches, sand dunes, rugged hills and uplands, two major river canyons, and wide grassy valleys dotted with sycamores, oaks, and a few native walnuts. There are more than 70 miles of hiking trails. The beach also features swimming, body surfing and surf fishing. The park includes the jagged pinnacles of the Boney Mountains State Wilderness Area (California Department of Parks and Recreation, 2023).

The park is the site of many archaeological finds, indicating a major Chumash village in the La Jolla Valley, and the largest remaining area of natural grassland in California. The name “Mugu” comes from the Chumash word “muwu”, meaning “beach”. The area was occupied for over 6,000 years, until the 1850s.

Additional Reading

References

California Department of Parks and Recreation (2023). Point Mugu State Park. https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=630.

Image Copyright Notice

Cover Photo – CC BY-SA 3.0

Side Photo (top) – CC0 1.0.

Side Photo (bottom) – CC BY-SA 3.0.

Date Designated: February 1971

Location: Along Highway 1 from eastern tip of Mugu Lagoon southeast to Big Sycamore Canyon, from Highway 1 northeast to Potrero Road

Photos:

Entrance to Thornhill Broome Campground at Point Mugu State Park, featuring signage and sandy terrain.
Entrance to Thornhill Broome Campground at Point Mugu State Park. Credit: user Junkyardsparkle, licensed under CC0 1.0.
View of the Pacific Ocean at Point Mugu State Park, waves rolling over a rocky shoreline.
View of the Pacific Ocean in Point Mugu State Park. Credit: user King of Hearts, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

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