The name is believed to be derived from the Chumash Indian term "Muwu", meaning "beach", which was first mentioned by Cabrillo in his journals in 1542.

The village of Muwu (CA-VEN-11[clarification needed]) had the highest population of any coastal Chumash settlements along the Santa Monica Mountains.

[7] Muwu was a ceremonial center and the ancient capital of Lulapin, a major political unit of Chumash territory which stretched from modern day Los Angeles County to Santa Barbara in the north.

This igneous dike marks the western end of the Santa Monica Mountains, and the Rancho Guadalasca boundary.

[12] On Thanksgiving Day 2008, three young men from Oxnard were swept to sea and killed by a rogue wave while surf watching from Mugu Rock.