Inhabited for thousands of years by the Chumash people, this oak woodland became part of Rancho Las Virgenes after Spanish colonization. In 1976, actor Peter Strauss was deeply moved by the area's natural beauty and purchased the property at Malibu Lake. He later sold the ranch to the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy in 1983. The National Park Service purchased the ranch in 1987 as part of Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, which was dedicated to the preservation of its natural and cultural history. Today, the site accommodates hiking, concerts, picnics and art exhibits.