Chapter 2 - Geographic Patterns of the Physical Environment

Mountains:
Santa Clarita is squeezed in the middle of two mountain ranges, the Santa Susana to the west and the San Gabriel to the east. It looks like it is encased in moutains from all four directions when standing near the Valencia Town Center mall.  On the Southeast side of Santa Clarita next to the 14 Freeway is the Placerita Canyon State Park accompanied by a its small mountain range dividing it from the start of the San Fernando Valley.  All throughout the valley there are tons of small hills nestled among communities and one in particular that later obtained the small town name "Hamburger Hill" at the top of Lyons Avenue in Newhall, due to all of the fast-food restaurants in close vicinity.  Plenty of streets among the valley have gotten their names from small hills and canyons in Saugus like Copperhill and Haskell, which lead north through San Francisquito Canyon towards Lancaster. 


                                                     Stevenson Ranch and the 5 Freeway
                                                                  SCV overview


Weather:
The weather in the Santa Clarita Valley is much similar to that of the San Fernando Valley, but with a few drastic changes in temperature in the summer and winter months.  During the summer months temperatures can range from 85-105+ degrees.  In the winter months it can drop to 30 degrees and in some place even lower creating snow, a rare view to residents of Santa Clarita.  The overall weather is very easy for living especially with someone moving from the east coast. 

The last legit snowfall in Valencia in January 2007

http://www.thegreengirls.com

Vegetation: 
There is definitely greenery on the surrounding mountains, if fires don't get to them first.  Within Santa Clarita there isn't much vegetation because it is covered with businesses and housing tracts, but incorporated within the communities there are plenty of lush trees and greenery to look at.  To keep the valley plush, the city has a very extensive upsacle landscaping department which does a very good job at maintaining gorgeous views for all their residents.  Amongst the moutains there are tons of hiking trails with lavish trees to hike your way through for days. 

                                                     Weldon Canyon near the Newhall Pass
                                                                 http://www.meetup.com