Los Angeles daily herald., 1889-03-25
SANTA MONICA NOTES.
Day Among the CamOms and Santa
Monica Heights.

EDITORs HERALD-For variety of seen
erv and entertainment, few seaside re-
sorts can compare with Santa Monica.
In front of the town stretches the grand
old Pacific ocean. The followers OF
Isaac Walton find here pleasant and
profitable amusement. Weary of the
rod, they may don the bathing suit and
plunge into the surf, or, if they prefer,
may take spin over the billows in sail
or rowboat. If one wishes to combine
pleasure with health-giving exercise, let
him spend day in the caf1ons
which skirt the town on the north.
Leaving Santa Monica drive in a
northerly direction two miles parellel to
the ocean and you reach the "old adobe
house" on the bluff" Looking down
into the valley beneath, scene of rare
beauty meets the eye. Away to the
right the Santa Monica Canon winding
along the foothills for three or four
miles. then by circiutous route
stretching gradually up the hills till in
full view of the San Fernando Valley.
To the left, at the mouth of the canon,
lies the little hamlet known as "Old
Santa Monica" Last summer this place
was dotted with tents, and preparations
are being made on still larger scale for
the accommodation of visitors next sea-
son. A quarter of mile up the left fork,
called Rustic Canon, is branch of the
State Forestry Department. 1t is in
charge of Mr.. Lyon and already
they have large assortment Of
all the principal forest trees and shrubs
This is a very beautiful caflon. Great
branching sycamore and live oak trees,
some of them many hundred years old,
line the banks of the little rivulet that
flows through it. In some places this
stream, like many others in California,
is "bottom side up"
Leaving the Forestry grounds, we
ascend winding steep incline, and soon
reach the Santa Monica Heights. This
is one OF the most beautiful spots in all
Southern California. Facing the south,
one sees the curving shore reaching
away beyond Ballona and Redondo.
Still further, the Catalina Islands rise up
in all their grandeur and sublim-
ity, while away out to sea, as
if it had drifted from it's moor
ings, lies the Island of Santa Barbara.
This island is only seen in clear days, as
it lies about fifty miles or more from the
coast. The Heights is artistically laid
off in streets and avenues. Some of the
main streets are aligned with ornament
al trees. The town is waiting for inhab-
itants, but when the beauty and health
fulness OF the location becomes generally
known, it will, no doubt, take it's place
among the seaside towns of California.
1t is rumored that the Catholic Church
is negotiating with the owners of the
Heights with the view 70 erect college
there, and certainly no better site could
be selected. Across the Heights lies an
other caflon, whose scenery and charms
are not a whit behind those already
mentioned. 1t is known as the
Temescal Canon. In all these
cafions the sportsman may always
carry his gun, for at any time he may
"come up with party of quail" or start
jack-rabbit, while foxes and wild cats
are no strangers to these regions. Nor
should the miner be unprepared for the
practice of his profession, for along the
streams are everywhere found very sus-
picious-looking pieces of quartz and
strong indications of other valuable
minerals.
Four miles or less from the Temescal
Canon is what DR.. A. F. Elliot, noted
Minneapolis scientist, declared to be the
crater OF an extinct volcano. This has
been visited by very few, as the last part
of the journey is quite difficult.
If any OF your readers want an enjoy
able day let them try the Santa Monica
Canofis. ONBwH OHAsBEENTHERE.