Summer is rapidly approaching, yea verily, here already and parents are on a mad dash to find great summer activities for the kids. While camps and summer programs may entertain the children during the week, parents scramble to find fun family trips for the weekends. Instead of focusing on going places that require long, hot car rides, greasy fast food, and a strain on the credit card to pay for gas, why not visit an incredible geographic formation in our very own backyard? Vasquez Rocks, aptly named after the notorious bandit Tiburcio Vasquez who hid from the law enforcement in the clefts of the rocks during the 1870s, is a rock formation created by the San Andreas Fault.
Located near Agua Dulce Springs in the High Desert, this park off the 14 freeway contains other attractions such as Tataviam Indian sites, large plant communities, and plenty of wildlife. The odd angles of the rock outcroppings are major part of the fascination that people have with the park. Hollywood has taken advantage of the spectacular sight and utilized Vasquez Rocks for many venues, including everything from commercials and television shows to movies and film. Here’s an idea: after taking the kids to see the new Star Trek in theaters, bring them out to Vasquez Rocks, where the site was used to portray the planet Vulcan. But the hype surrounding the area is not the only advantage, however; Vasquez Rocks is a fantastic place for hikers of all ages. With roughly 932 acres, Vasquez Rocks boasts of plenty of space to walk around. Along with willing park rangers who can lead the whole family on a hike, there are also various trails for parents with small children, and perhaps more challenging trails for the rambunctious, adventurous teens and young adults. The Park works really diligently to provide interesting exhibits, such as a Birds of Prey Presentation, or other live animal presentations. For families that want to take a break from the heat, the Park offers stargazing events at night on a quarterly basis. But don’t be dissuaded by the heat; from March through October, Vasquez Rocks is open to the public from 8a.m. to 6p.m., so get up early for a cool morning hike, or wait until the late afternoon to head out into desert rocks. The Park is a perfect place for photos, so be sure to bring your camera to capture candid hiking pictures of the family and pictures of wildlife against the backdrop of the setting sun.
For more information about Vasquez Rocks, check out the Park’s website: www.lacountyparks.org , or visit: www.santaclaritaguide.com/VasquezRocks .