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The nearest major airport, Burbank's Bob Hope Airport, is about 35 miles away and is served by seven commercial carriers, including two discount airlines (Jet Blue and Southwest) that you won't find listed on typical online travel sites. Other options include Los Angeles International (about 50 miles away) and Santa Barbara Airport (about 65 miles). Whatever airport you choose, reserve a car in advance and be prepared to spend lots of time behind the wheel.

For accommodations close to Rustic Canyon, choose from a selection of moderate brand-name hotels and motels in nearby Thousand Oaks and Simi Valley, including properties in the Holiday Inn, Days Inn, Best Western, Motel 6 and Courtyard by Marriott chains. If you don't mind driving a bit farther, you can choose from a wide range of accommodations anywhere in the northern Los Angeles basin, encompassing Beverly Hills, Hollywood, Burbank and the Oxnard/Ventura area along the coast. Choose a place with good access to Highway 101 or interstates 5 or 405 and you shouldn't be more than hour away from Moorpark — though when driving to Rustic Canyon, it's wise to leave some extra time for traffic delays so you won't be late for your tee time.

Although Rustic Valley is normally open year-round, the area can be adversely affected by extreme forces of nature. Winter storms can bring flash floods to the canyon, as happened in January 2005 when parts of the front nine were severely damaged by rushing water. The nearby hillsides also are prone to wildfires in late summer and early fall. At these times of year, keep an eye on the news and call ahead for instructions if the Moorpark area appears to be threatened by fire or flooding.