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Where is Matilija Canyon
Prior to the Spanish missionaries occupation, the indigenous people of this area, the Chumash Indians, lived in villages along the banks of the Matilija River.
Today, the Chumash culture in the Ventura and Santa Barbara counties is alive and active. The Santa Barbara Museum has an extensive historic exhibit as well as an accomplished Chumash advisory board. Some of the best known hot springs are in Matilja Canyon, just north of Ojai off Highway 33. Click here to view images of Matilija Canyon by Michale McFadden. Romneya trichocalyx is abundant in canyons north of Dulzura and occasional to the south in sage scrub or chaparral. It also occurs sporadically on Otay Mountain (e.g., Cedar Creek) and in the Jamul Mountains. Sites examined include near Deerhorn Valley Road, in Johnson Canyon on northeastern Otay Mesa, and in Sycamore Canyon. Herbarium specimens record Mission Trails Park near Padre Dam, Barrett Junction, and the Espinosa Trail on Pine Creek. Old reports include Potrero Grade/Tecate Mountain. Old biological survey reports note sites south of Highway 94 between Tecate Road and Potrero, southwest of Bee Valley near Mother Grundy Truck Trail, and just east of Tecate Junction. Reported by Smith in Ventura County (herbarium specimen examined from the Maricopa Grade); and Santa Barbara County from Bee Rock south of Lake Cachuma, Mono Creek, Agua Caliente Canyon, Matilija Canyon, upper Sespe Creek along State Highway 33, on Pine Mountain, and the Ozena area of upper Cuyama Valley. |
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Here they feasted on steelhead trout, venison, and other game and harvested seeds, nuts and berries. They were master basket weavers and canoe builders. Primary to their wellbeing, they soaked in the natural sulphur hot springs and bathed in the cool canyon waters that flowed year round. For centuries the Chumash sustained themselves here.
