The Tarzana area of Los Angeles hosts a geological feature known as the Vanalden "Cave". I'd heard about it but never bothered to visit until now. Getting to it was OK, even if the "cave" wasn't. And, yes, I'm going to keep up the scare quotes.
I knew going in that the "cave" wasn't much and that it was defaced with graffiti, but I was even more disappointed when I got there. It's basically an overhang with a few holes in it, and it's impossible to get a picture that doesn't have spray paint in it.
I got to it by biking dirt Mulholland. There's a partially-overgrown trail from Mulholland to the Serrania Trail. I locked the bike to a tree on the first trail, and then did the short hike to the "cave".
Dirt Mulholland is OK and has good views, but unless your goal is to just check it off your list I'd avoid the "cave".
I started the expedition near the 405: see the "Canyonback Nike Loop" for the parking lot. There's room for maybe a dozen cars in the lot or on the road. During the day you can also drive up to the old Nike Missile site, now a city park. Just be back by sunset. But, if you drive up you'll miss the nice downhill at the end.
And, if you go all the way over to Vanalden, you'll get a good chunk of uphill on the return. Hey, it's good exercise. At the present time, there's even about 10' of a sand trap that also provided good exercise.
