Chatsworth CA’s Stoney Point Park

Stoney Point Park, located in Chatsworth, CA, sits on the Santa Susana Mountains and draws in numerous visitors as a popular destination for hikers, rock climbers, and horseback riders. Encompassing 76 acres, this park offers a variety of activities, such as hiking trails, mini-caves, and numerous climbing routes. Additionally, Stoney Point Park’s unique rock formations and caves, composed of orange-colored coarse-grain sandstone believed to have originated near Baja California in the Pacific Ocean, provide an ideal setting for climbing due to its favorable consistency.

The park is also home to intriguing petroglyphs, ancient rock carvings left by Native American peoples, created during elaborate rituals. These historical art pieces continue to be present in the area today, adding to the park’s allure.

One of the most captivating aspects of Stoney Point Park is its location at the base of the Simi/Santa Susana grade, offering a surprising diversity of terrain within the Santa Susana Mountains, despite not being known for their size.

Over the years, Stoney Point Park has attracted renowned rock climbers, including Yvon Chouinard, the founder of Patagonia, contributing to its rich climbing history. The park also holds significance as a mile marker for the Southern Pacific Railroad, with a train line running through the area and a tunnel situated beneath the mountain top. The Metrolink Ventura County Line operates the train line, serving the Chatsworth Transportation Center.

Visiting the park is free, conveniently located at the junction of Highway 118 and Topanga Canyon Boulevard. It offers a great setting for picnics, hiking, and exploration, with various trails leading to the mountain’s peak. Visitors can choose to either climb the mountain or simply enjoy the breathtaking scenic views, catering to different fitness levels and time constraints.

Under the management of the Los Angeles Parks Department, the park provides recreational facilities like three baseball diamonds, a football field, outdoor basketball courts, and a children’s play area. It also boasts a 70-acre lake, offering fishing opportunities year-round and a pleasant shoreline for leisurely walks. Moreover, the park features a five-acre equestrian center for horse enthusiasts.

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A recent addition to the park is a rail line accommodating the Metrolink Commuter Train, which became the site of a tragic collision memorialized in 2009 as one of the worst in the U.S. in four decades. Surviving passengers of the crash were present at the memorial, reflecting the park’s significance beyond its natural beauty.

Aside from the rail line, the area is served by a nearby train tunnel for Metrolink trains, as well as Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner, with ten daily trains passing through the region.

Recognizing its historical and cultural importance, the park was designated as a Los Angeles Historic and Cultural Monument in 1974. Due to its scenic appeal and unique landscape, Stoney Point Park has been a popular filming location since the silent film era, featuring in numerous films and television shows like Seinfeld, Dollhouse, and CSI: Las Vegas.