Chalk Hills facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Chalk Hills |
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View from Chalk Hills northeast across San Fernando Valley to San Gabriel Mountains.
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 1,086 ft (331 m) |
| Geography | |
 Location in California
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| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| Region | Southern California |
| District | Woodland Hills |
| Municipality | City of Los Angeles |
| Range coordinates | 34°10′16.019″N 118°34′48.309″W / 34.17111639°N 118.58008583°W |
| Topo map | USGS Canoga Park |
| Biome | California chaparral and woodlands |
The Chalk Hills are a small, low mountain range in Southern California. They stretch from north to south in the San Fernando Valley. These hills are right next to the Santa Monica Mountains. You can find them in the Woodland Hills area of Los Angeles City. They are located between DeSoto and Winnetka Avenues, from south of Ventura Boulevard to near Victory Boulevard.
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Exploring the Chalk Hills
The Chalk Hills are home to a spread-out, suburban area within the San Fernando Valley. This means there are many homes and businesses, but they are not packed together too tightly.
Important Landmarks
Los Angeles Pierce College is a large school located on the northern part of the Chalk Hills. Long ago, the Los Angeles River used to flow freely around this area. Today, a major highway called U.S. Route 101, also known as the Ventura Freeway, cuts through the southern part of the hills. This highway was built in the 1960s.
Why are they called "Chalk Hills"?
The Chalk Hills get their name from their unique white soil and bedrock. Before many buildings were put up in the 1960s, these white areas were a clear landmark in the Valley. The white rocks are actually a type of marine shale. Geologists are still studying how these rocks relate to other rock formations in Southern California. However, a geologist named Thomas Dibblee thought they were part of the Sisquoc Formation. You can still find a small area of California oak woodland plants on the southeastern part of the Pierce College campus that has not been developed.
Nearby Mountain Ranges
The Chalk Hills are surrounded by several other mountain ranges in Southern California.
- Santa Monica Mountains — right next door to the south
- Simi Hills — to the west
- Santa Susana Mountains — to the north, across the valley
- San Gabriel Mountains — to the northeast, across the valley
- Verdugo Mountains — to the east, across the valley
