Things to Do in West Hills

History and Recreation

• The Skirball Cultural Center is a place of meeting guided by the Jewish tradition of welcoming the stranger and inspired by the American democratic ideals of freedom and equality. We welcome people of all communities and generations to participate in cultural experiences that celebrate discovery and hope, foster human connections, and call upon us to help build a more just society. Open to the public since 1996, the Skirball has established itself as one of the world’s most dynamic Jewish cultural institutions and among the leading cultural venues in Los Angeles. 
• Orcutt Ranch Horticulture Center – The historic Orcutt Residence is surrounded by 24-acres of gardens and a citrus orchard. The gardens include heritage oaks trees, wandering garden paths, formal flower beds, and a variety of interesting specimen trees, exotic shrubs, and flowering plants. There are several significant oak trees on the property; one of the largest is more that 33′ in circumference and is estimated to be more than 700 years old. 

• The more than 5,600-acre Upper Las Virgenes Open Space Preserve in the Simi hills at the western edge of the San Fernando Valley, is part of a critical ecological linkage and wildlife corridor between the Santa Monica Mountains and the ranges to the north. Hikers, runners, mountain bikers and equestrians enjoy miles of trails through rolling hills studded with valley oaks, sycamore-lined canyon bottoms, and vistas of unspoiled California landscapes.
• Shadow Ranch Park, formerly owned by Florence Ryerson, co-writer of the screenplay for The Wizard of Oz , The park was named Shadow Ranch for the amount of shade provided by the numerous eucalyptus trees. William Wyler’s movie The Children’s Hour, based on the play by Lillian Hellman, was filmed here in 1961. Shadow Ranch Park is an L.A. City Park with lighted basketball courts, a children’s play area, football and soccer fields, meeting and community rooms, a baseball diamond, and picnic tables. Organized youth sports are also offered at this registered-protected Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument
• Bell Canyon Park has trails along riparian Bell Creek and upstream beside the Bell Canyon community. Trails have junctions to connect with El Escorpión Park and Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve and their miles of trail networks. A secondary route to the top of Escorpión Peak (Castle Peak) begins in the park also. The peak and both other parks are adjacent directly to the south of Bell Canyon Park. The trails are available for walking, hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, and equestrian riding.