Point Mugu facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Point Mugu |
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Pacific Ocean at Point Mugu
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 Location in California
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| Location | Point Mugu State Park, Ventura County, California |
| Coordinates | 34°5′8″N 119°3′36″W / 34.08556°N 119.06000°W |
| Offshore water bodies | Pacific Ocean |
| Elevation | 46 feet (14 m) |
| Geology | Cape |
| GNIS feature ID | 247643 |
Point Mugu is a special place on the Pacific Coast in Ventura County, California. It's a type of landform called a cape or promontory, which means it's a piece of land that sticks out into the ocean. You can find it inside Point Mugu State Park, close to the cities of Port Hueneme and Oxnard.
The name "Mugu" comes from the Chumash Indian word "Muwu." This word means "beach." The first time this name was written down was in 1542 by an explorer named Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo. Just up the coast from Point Mugu is Mugu Lagoon, which is a salt marsh. This area is now part of the Naval Base Ventura County.
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A Look Back: History of Point Mugu
Point Mugu has a long and interesting history. The name "Muwu" was originally for a Chumash village located right at Point Mugu. This was long before European settlers arrived.
The Chumash People at Muwu
The village of Muwu was very important. It had the most people of any Chumash village along the Santa Monica Mountains coast. Muwu was also a special place for ceremonies. It was the ancient capital of Lulapin, a large political area for the Chumash people.
This Chumash territory stretched about 60 miles (97 km) along the coast. It also went at least half that far inland. Records show that many people from Muwu were baptized at Mission San Buenaventura. The last chief of Muwu, Mariano Wataitset, was baptized in 1802.
Sadly, in 2000, an airplane accident happened near Point Mugu. Alaska Airlines Flight 261 crashed, which was a very tragic event.
Mugu Rock: A Famous Landmark
Mugu Rock is a very famous and unique rock formation right on the coast. You might have even seen it in movies or TV commercials! This large rock marks the western end of the Santa Monica Mountains.
The rock was formed when workers cut a road through the hard volcanic rock in 1937. Before that, in the 1920s, a path was blasted around the promontory to finish the Pacific Coast Highway. Much of that older road has since been worn away by the ocean.
Mugu Rock is a popular spot for people to visit. They come for fishing, sightseeing, and even rock climbing. However, it can be a dangerous place. In 2008, three young men were swept into the ocean by a powerful wave, which was very sad. It's important to be careful when visiting coastal areas like this.
Exploring Point Mugu State Park
Right next to Mugu Rock is the campsite for Point Mugu State Beach. This park is a great place to explore nature. It has about 5 miles (8 km) of beautiful shoreline.
If you love hiking, you're in luck! The park also offers more than 70 miles (110 km) of hiking trails. You can discover different landscapes and enjoy the outdoors.
