BY SHARON BETZ >LA.COM

Nestled against the Santa Monica Mountains, Calabasas is a scenic city with lots of charm. It's known for its annual pumpkin festival (the word "calabasas" means pumpkins) but the city is so much more than a pumpkin patch. It's popular with celebs. Jennifer Lopez married her second husband, Cris Judd, in an exclusive mountaintop wedding here. Rebecca Romijn and Jerry O'Connell were married on their Calabasas ranch property. But you don't have to be a celebrity to enjoy all this city has to offer.

>food

Eat, drink and be merry. It's not hard to do here.

SusieCakes
23653 Calabasas Road
(818) 591-2223
www.susiecakesla.com

If you love baked goods, you'll love Susie's. It calls itself the all-American home-style bake shop. Of course, it specializes in cakes - carrot, German chocolate, strawberry, marble, fudge - but they have other things, too. Like Whoopie Pies and cookies and brownies and cupcakes. The person behind the counter recommended the red velvet cupcakes, but I liked the mint chocolate. As a special treat, everything is made on the premises and you can watch the baking.

Sagebrush Cantina
23527 Calabasas Road
(818) 222-6062
www.sagebrushcantina.com

This famous Old Town hangout is a fun place to grab a drink or a little Mexican food. There are two huge patios that can be delightful for an afternoon margarita or Sunday brunch. It's been in business for more than 30 years.

Saddlepeak Lodge
419 Cold Canyon Road
(818) 222-3888
www.saddlepeaklodge.com

High in the hills above Malibu, the rustic setting foretells the house specialty - game. On the menu are seared venison, roasted buffalo, squab and a game tasting plate. It looks like an old hunting lodge with elk and deer heads mounted on the walls, a stone fireplace and bentwood chairs. But don't be fooled. This white-tablecloth restaurant has won many awards and recommendations. It received a one-star Michelin rating (a very good restaurant in its category) in November. Bring your credit card. Big game means big bucks.

>recreation

Beautiful scenery and horse trails abound, so why not enjoy the great outdoors.

Malibu Creek State Park
1925 Las Virgenes Road; (818) 880-0367

The 4,000 acres of this state park offer mountain bike, horse and hiking trails along with fishing spots and campgrounds. You may recognize the scenery as the backdrop for the "M*A*S*H" television series and the film "Planet of the Apes." Ranger programs are offered year round. The visitors center is open on weekends.

>shopping

Little boutiques dot the centers and streets here.

belle gray
4751 Commons Way "0"
(818) 789-4021
www.bellegray.com

One of two boutiques owned by actress Lisa Rinna, this one is in the Commons shopping center. It features such labels at Juicy Couture, Mike & Chris, Paige Premium Denim and Rinna's own belle gray line. Rinna occasionally drops by, sometimes with hubby Harry Hamlin, so you can shop and rub elbows with the stars.

Sperling Nursery
24460 Calabasas Road
(818) 591-9111
www.sperlingnursery.com

Yes, there are beautiful hanging baskets and decorated pots and trees and rosebushes, but what makes this nursery special is its gift shop. It is crammed with everything from paperweights that look like the planets to art deco mechanical fans. If you are looking for an unusual gift, this is the place.

Magnolia
23675 Calabasas Road
(818) 224-4771

Cute clothing items from Diane von Furstenberg and rag & bone. This boutique is co-owned by Terry (Mrs. Howie) Mandel. The staff is friendly and helpful.

>attractions

Old Town Calabasas offers a bit of history and much to see and do.

Leonis Adobe Museum
23537 Calabasas Road
(818) 222-6511
www.leonisadobemuseum.org

In its day, Calabasas was considered part of the wild and lawless West Coast. In the mid-1800s, Miguel Leonis acquired a large landholding in the area and was considered the "King of Calabasas." Some of the Leonis ranch still exists here with a few original buildings. Part of the museum is the Plummer House, once the oldest home in West Hollywood. It was moved next to the Leonis property some years ago. Guided tours are available at 1:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, but the historic ranch is open other hours during the week.

Farmers' Market
Old Town Calabasas on Calabasas Road
(818) 591-8161

The road into Old Town Calabasas is jammed on Saturday mornings as shoppers crowd the Old Town farmers' market. Flowers, breads, fruits and vegetables are set up on the sidewalks just across Calabasas Road from the Leonis Adobe, where you can park. The market runs from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.