It all started with those pesky whiskers. In the old days, men used to shave with straight-edge razors. The razors needed to be sharpened every day with a leather strap.

I can still remember my grandfather sharpening his straight-edge razor. I don’t know if I was more afraid of that nasty blade or the leather strap.

These vicious tools left many a scar in their wake. So, the safety razor was born. The idea took off, and men’s precious faces were clean-shaven, and no blood was being let.

A man named King Camp Gillette (1855-1932) invented the best-selling safety razor. His version was thin and disposable, much like the disposable razors we use today.

While Gillette was not the first person to come up with this grand idea, he improved upon the disposable razor introduced by the Kampfe brothers. Despite the fact they sold for $5 – a substantial amount in those days – he sold millions of them.

Gillette founded the Gillette Safety Razor Co. in 1902, trademarked his razor and packaging, and was off and running with a huge manufacturing company that made millions. By 1908, the company was an international enterprise, having facilities in the U.S., Canada, Germany, France and England.

Today, Gillette is a brand of Procter and Gamble. Gillette was sold to Procter and Gamble in 2005 for $57 billion.

In 1926, King Gillette purchased a 588-acre ranch in the Santa Monica Mountains. His mansion was built in the late ‘20s, and he lived there with his wife until her death.

Today the property is known as King Gillette Ranch and is a veritable public treasure. It is owned by the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority, the National Park Service, Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy and California State Parks. It is open to the public for hiking, photography, special events and pure relaxation. There is a visitor’s center located on the site, as well, with wonderful interactive displays.

This is a great place to take the family on a picnic, take a hike, and spend some educational time at the Anthony C. Beilenson Interagency Visitor Center. You won’t be disappointed. Visitor’s center parking is free for 2 hours, and day use parking is $7, so be prepared with $7 in exact bills. The visitor’s center is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

This park is truly one of the most beautiful parks I have visited. It is so tranquil, you can see deer grazing on the lush green grass close to the visitor’s center.

There is some nice, gentle hiking here, as well. If you want to introduce your children or grandchildren to hiking, Gillette Ranch is a great place to begin. The kids and adults alike will love the flora and fauna. If you enjoy birds, be sure to bring your binoculars. And of course, bring your camera, because there is beauty in every direction.

There is a short, 1-mile trail that is steep but definitely worth the effort. It leads to an especially beautiful knoll called Inspiration Point with magnificent, 360-degree views. You can continue along the ridge for another 1.5 miles if you’d like to extend your hike a bit.

Be sure to check out the cement pond where you might just find a couple of swans or ducks enjoying a swim. You might also be lucky enough to see great blue herons or cormorants that often stop by for the refuge the park offers.

The mansion is also a photographer’s delight. Every tree is the perfect spot for a family picnic. And if you’re by yourself, bring a book and just relax under a tree.

Being on these lovely grounds really brings life into perspective. Recently, someone asked me to describe King Gillette Ranch in one word. The word that came to mind was “stunning.”

There is also a working plant nursery on the premises. All plants grown there are native to the region and are used to restore habitat on the grounds.

There is a wide range of habitat at King Gillette, including coast live oak woodlands, grasslands, coastal sage scrub, riparian areas, and Southern California chaparral. Since this area serves as a wildlife corridor, be on the lookout for bobcats, mountain lions, rabbits, skunks, raccoons, deer and other native fauna in the park. And don’t forget to look up. You might see a raptor or some of the many other birds that are lucky enough to inhabit this lovely piece of heaven. In late spring and summer, keep your eyes peeled for rattlesnakes.

Have a safe and happy visit.

King Gillette Ranch is located at 26876 Mulholland Highway in Calabasas.

Dianne Erskine-Hellrigel is executive director of the Community Hiking Club and president of the Santa Clara River Watershed Conservancy. Contact Dianne through communityhikingclub.org or at zuliebear@aol.com.