Ladies Of The Canyons, Southern California...

What was it about the canyons of southern California that held such mystery and intrigue in the 60ies and 70ies? Why did places like Laurel, Latigo, Malibu and Topanga Canyons have such appeal? Was it the fact that they offered some kind of a refuge from the city's that surrounded them? Was it because persons of some talent and originality seemed to gravitate in their direction? Perhaps for me it was the women, look at their faces, they are different, you can see it in the eyes.