ne of the world's most glamorous residential communities, Malibu, California is bounded by the magnificent green, rolling hills of the Santa Monica Mountain's and the serene white sandy beaches of the Pacific Ocean. One of the highest rated public school systems in the state of California and many well-regarded private schools, colleges and universities are in or close by Malibu. Beverly Hills and famed Rodeo Drive are just 30 minutes away and downtown Los Angeles' business and theater district is a 40 minute drive. It is 35 minutes to Los Angeles International Airport and the Santa Monica Airport is nearby, providing private aircraft accessibility. Westwood and Century City employment centers are close by. Horseback riding through scenic parklands and canyons is a popular activity. The J. Paul Getty Museum in neighboring Pacific Palisades is minutes away. Malibu offers an unlimited array of lifestyles - all with their own distinct advantages and joys. The Malibu "way of life" means that there is no "one way of life," but that all lifestyles can be compatible and flourish. The Santa Monica Mountains rise above Los Angeles, widen to meet the curve of Santa Monica Bay, and reach their highest peaks facing the Pacific Ocean. The land is beautiful and diverse. The rugged coastline offers narrow sandy beaches and rocky shores. Dense chaparral and fragrant sages cover the canyon walls. Inland, lone valley oaks accentuate the grassy hillsides. In 1978, Congress established the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area as a part of the National Park System. No single agency can decide alone how to preserve this diverse landscape. Together, government agencies, landowners, and the people who use this land are working to provide places for people to live, work, and play while protecting the mountains and seashore for future generations. Mediterranean Climate Hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters characterize the climate of the Santa Monica Mountains. These semiarid conditions, and the mountains' location in a coastal middle latitude, place the park in what is known as a Mediterranean climate. There are only five such areas in the world. The climate, range of elevation and differences in soil create a complex ecosystem within the national recreation area. That this ecosystem even exists, so near the most densely populated urban area in the United States, is remarkable. Protected here are diverse natural communities: coastal strand with dunes and beaches, chaparral, coastal sage scrub, oak woodlands, valley oak savannah, grasslands, and cool, riparian woodlands found in the bottom of canyons. The ocean and mountains offer a sanctuary for an abundant blend of plants and animals. Recorded here are more than 50 species of mammals and 384 species of birds. This haven supports deer, mountain lions, golden eagles, snowy plovers and the great horned owl. Chaparral, the dominant vegetation, thrives in this climate. The word chaparral comes from el chaparro - place of the scrub oak-and refers to the dense, woody, evergreen plant varieties, such as chamise and toyon, that cover the hillsides. History Malibu is world-renowned for its miles of sandy beach on the Pacific Ocean edged by mountains with breathtaking views. Frederick H. Rindge, once owner of the entire 17,000 acre ranch wrote, "the happiest thought of all thoughts in connection with this land is that only in Heaven is it more beautiful. For nearly 4,000 years, Malibu was inhabited by Chumash Indians. The Chumash were observed by the Cabrillo Expedition of 1542 as handsome, intelligent and flourishing people, with bustling towns of considerable prosperity and sophistication. They named the stretch of beach at the mouth of Malibu Creek "Humaliwo" or "the surf sounds loudly." It was here in 1542 that Spanish Explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo saw a large Indian village at the foot of the canyon, where the Malibu city offices stand today. The Spanish mission period in the 1700's marked the end of their civilization. In 1802, grazing rights were given to Jose Tapia for the entire Rancho Topanga Malibu Sostomo Simi Sequit by the King of Spain. It was later owned by Leon Prudhomme and sold by Henry Keller to Frederick Hastings Rindge in 1891 for the reputed figure of $300,000. It was one of the last Spanish Land Grants to remain intact. This cultured and wealthy New Englander was seeking an ideal country home for his family. Their private domain was guarded fiercely. Rhoda May Rindge, Frederick's widow, fought off an effort to route the Southern Pacific Railroad through Malibu by establishing her own private railroad. She spent a fortune in court costs to keep the State of California and neighboring homesteaders from encroaching. The stories of Rhoda May and her cowhands, rifles at the ready, facing down the representatives of the County of Los Angeles, are part of Malibu's folklore. After 17 years of litigation, the State was victorious and construction on the Rooscvelt Highway between Santa Monica and Oxnard, began in 1926. In June of 1929, this highway (now Pacific Coast Highway) was open for through traffic, ushering in a new era. Soon afterward, the first lots were offered for lease to movie celebrities along a strand of beach known as the "Malibu Movie Colony." Beautiful homes were built and lots were made available for sale in the 1930's. Coastline to county line, Malibu faces south and adjoins the city of Los Angeles to the east and now comprises some 45,000 acres, 27 miles long and from one to eight miles wide. Within these boundaries are a variety of climates and terrains including beaches, mesas and canyons that create a unique environment. On June 15th 1990, 85% of Malibu voters decided that Malibu should be a city. This overwhelming victory for city-hood was the culmination of a 29-year effort to bring local control to Malibu. The actual incorporation date was March 28, 1991. Malibu has consistently elected a City Council that is diverse in style, but sharing a commitment to create an innovative, modern city which preserves clean air, open space and a natural environment.