Los Robles Trail System in Thousand Oaks

The Los Robles Trail winds from Potrero Road, just east of Wendy Drive in Newbury Park, to Foothill Drive near Fairview Road (near Hampshire Road in Westlake Village). A popular access point is at South Moorpark Road and Greenmeadow Avenue in Thousand Oaks.

Along with its many connecting trails (Triunfo Canyon Trail, Rosewood Trail, White Horse Canyon Trail, Los Padres Trail and more), awesome opportunities abound for hikers, bikers and equestrians to enjoy the open space.

If you're looking for an easy, one mile trail hike with the kids, the Oak Creek Canyon Loop is a nice one to do. There is also a unique Interpretive Trail at Oak Creek Canyon Loop that is accessible to handicapped/wheelchairs and blind individuals! Or extend the Oak Creek Canyon Loop to an easy 3 mile hike to the Los Robles Nature Walk. Also, the 1 mile Spring Canyon Trail is an excellent choice for families with young children.

For some of the most spectacular views of the Conejo Valley, try hiking up to Angel Vista Peak in Newbury Park.

A rugged, single track trail popular with mountain bikers and hikers is the Los Robles Trail West that goes up "Space Mountain" in Thousand Oaks. And Los Robles Trail East is another nice hike accessible from several points.

This nearly 2,000 acre ridgeline trail system with its many neighborhood feeder trails is located at the southern portion of the Conejo Open Space. The Los Robles Trail also traverses several open space areas including Los Padres, Los Vientos, Conejo Ridge. Hope Nature Preserve, Old Conejo, Deer Ridge, Rancho Potrero and Ventu Park.

Additional Los Robles Trail trailhead points west of the Rosewood Trail trailhead to Angel Vista Peak include Felton Street, east of Lynn Rd in Newbury Park (end of cul de sac) and Potrero Road, about 1/4 mile east of S Wendy Drive in Newbury Park (parking lot available).

Views from Angel Vista Peak are iconic.

To the west of Los Robles is Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa and Point Mugu State Park which creates a public backcountry of over 27,000 acres of open space that stretches to the Pacific Ocean at Sycamore Cove. This scenic region is part of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area and provides panoramic views of Hidden Valley, the Conejo Valley and the Channel Islands.

Los Robles Trail trailhead and parking area on Potrero Road in Newbury Park.

The Los Robles Trail has historical significance. On February 28, 1776, Juan Bautista de Anza and his band of 198 settlers came through the Conejo Valley on their way from Mexico to San Francisco. Though the 101 freeway is the actual route, the National Park Service has designated the Los Robles Trail as the official recreational route so that everyone can enjoy the only national historical trail in the state of California.

Approximately 25 miles of trails provide a contiguous route from Westlake Village to Newbury Park with several shorter loops into narrow canyons and up steep ridges. The adjoining open space areas are managed by the Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency (COSCA), a joint powers authority created by the City of Thousand Oaks and the Conejo Recreation and Park District in 1977.

Unless you are an ant, this Los Robles Trail map is too small to read...click it for a full-size pdf map!

For more information about the Los Robles Trail, visit the Conejo Open Space Foundation website at cosf.org/trails/los-robles.

Triunfo Canyon Trail in Westlake Village

If you are looking for peaceful trails and outstanding panoramic views of the Conejo Valley from Thousand Oaks to Westlake Village, Hidden Valley and beyond, take a look at the Triunfo Canyon Trail, accessible from Triunfo Community Park, Triunfo Canyon Road at Tamarack Street in Westlake Village.

The trailhead is on the northwest end of the park, near the tennis courts. It is a beautiful, winding, single track canyon trail for most of the first mile or so, then links up to the main Los Robles Trail and utility road, which is much wider.

Views of the Westlake Lake area from the Triunfo Canyon Trail.

You'll discover some steps to a bench at the top offering a birds eye view of the surrounding areas. It really is spectacular up there and the images here don't come close to doing the view justice.

Bench at the top of the hill allows you to catch your breath and take in the sights.

From the bench, either turn around and go back down the hill or continue your way on if you'd like to the Los Robles Trail, above the Los Padres Trail.

One thing I'll say about these trails is that they seem particularly rocky, so wear decent shoes, as you don't want to twist your ankle. A bit of a climb to get up there; about 1,000 feet.

Learn more about the trail on the Conejo Open Space Foundation website at cosf.org/trails/los-robles/los-robles-moderate-hike-triunfo-park-to-east-los-robles-trail.

COMPILATION OF GREAT TRAILS AND HIKES AROUND VENTURA COUNTY

Ventura Boat Rentals at Ventura Harbor Village

Ventura Boat Rentals, located at Ventura Harbor Village at 1575 Spinnaker Drive, Ventura rents out electric boats, paddle boats, kayaks, power boats, surf bikes. jet skis and sail boats to the general public.  They also offer narrated harbor tours on weekends and select holidays, public dinner cruises, sunset cocktail cruises, private charters, private parties and public holiday tours. 

Visit www.venturaboatrentals.com or call 805.642.7753 for more information.

We enjoy exploring the Ventura Harbor, thanks to Ventura Boat Rentals.  Lots of small crabs hang out in these rocks.

Bark Park Trail in Calabasas

The Calabasas "Bark Park" is located at 4232 Las Virgenes Road. To get there from the 101, take Las Virgenes Road south just under a mile. The entrance is on the left (east). If you're going fast, it is easy to miss it. It's a nice, local dog park open sunrise to 9pm with plenty of space for the doggies as well as a separate gated kids' play area and plenty of parking.

On the north side of the park is the trailhead to the Bark Park Trail, a 1.2 mile climb that links you up with the New Millenium Loop Trail. Round trip you're talking about a 2 1/2 mile hike.

It is a nicely maintained trail with a steady, uphill climb. I would call it a moderate climb for the most part. A good walk to take the kids on. But it can get a bit hot up here, so bring water and sunscreen on summer days.

Trail sign at the junction of Bark Park Trail and New Millennium Loop Trail.

As you can see from the sign, there's a lot more exploring you can do on these nicely maintained trails in Calabasas.

A view of the Bark Park from the trail above.

More on the Bark Park at www.cityofcalabasas.com/government/community-services-parks-recreation/parks-trails-and-facilities.

Wildwood Park in Thousand Oaks

The main entrance into the 1,765 acre Wildwood Park is at the corner of Avenida de los Arboles and Big Sky Drive in Thousand Oaks. The Chumash Indians lived in Wildwood Park for nearly 8,000 years, until the early 19th century, when the Spanish colonized California. Eventually the park became owned by the Janss Corporation, which sold it to the Conejo Recreation and Park District in 1967.

Main trailhead accessible from the parking lot at Ave de los Arboles and Big Sky.

Wildwood Park is an extremely popular hiking and cycling spot and CRPD frequently hosts nature hikes there. The park has 14 trails covering 17 miles, including two year-round waterfalls, Paradise Falls and Little Falls.  Wildwood is known for its spring wildflower displays from January to June.

The park hosted a number of movie/TV productions in the 1930s to the 1960s, including Spartacus, Wuthering Heights, Wagon Train, The Rifleman and Gunsmoke.

The following links provide additional details for a variety of hikes in Wildwood Park:

HIKE TO THE TEEPEE, LITTLE (FORMERLY INDIAN) CAVE AND PARADISE FALLS IN WILDWOOD PARK

LIZARD ROCK HIKE IN WILDWOOD PARK

SANTA ROSA LOOP HIKE IN WILDWOOD PARK

TWO SPRINGS (FORMERLY INDIAN CREEK) AND WILDWOOD CANYON TRAILS

LIZARD ROCK, PARADISE FALLS, TWO SPRINGS LOOP HIKE

SANTA ROSA TRAIL AND LOWER BUTTE TRAIL FROM WILDWOOD PARK TO CLU

Call the CRPD at 805.495.2163 for more information about the park. But for lots of detailed information about Wildwood Park, including trail maps and pictures, visit the Conejo Open Space Foundation website at cosf.org/trails/wildwood.

As far as facilities in the park, there are drinking fountains at the main parking lot as well as at the Teepee, at Paradise Falls and the two restroom areas in the park. One of the restrooms are located at Meadows Center, a small building located across the bridge that is adjacent to the short trail to Little Cave. CRPD often hosts short hikes from the main parking lot to Meadows Center for fun, games and s'mores.

Bridge over creek that connects Wildwood Canyon Trail to Meadows Center, which has restrooms and a drinking fountain.

The other restrooms are at the bottom of Wildwood Canyon. You can get there by taking the Tepee Trail roughly 1/2 mile to the bottom of the canyon, or alternatively from Paradise Falls about 1/4 mile down the Wildwood Canyon Trail. The Arroyo Conejo Creek runs down from Paradise Falls to here and is fun to explore (keeping in mind still that this is partially urban runoff and thus you don't want to play around in it too much).

Additional restrooms at the bottom of Wildwood Canyon.

Sign at Paradise Falls indicating this particular water is partially urban runoff and best not to swim in.

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Leo Carrillo State Park in Malibu

Leo Carrillo State Park consists of 1.5 miles of beach for swimming, surfing, windsurfing, surf fishing and beachcombing, as well as tide pools, coastal caves and reefs. Giant sycamores shade the main campgrounds.

Among the many great features of Leo Carrillo, the most engaging activity for me and the kids is the tide pools. They are exposed twice daily at low tide and provide hours of engagement with sea stars, sea anemones, mussels, sea slugs and more.

Nature walks and campfire programs are offered and a small visitor center has interpretive displays.

Trails include Yellow Hill Fire Trail for panoramic views of the beach and the Channel Islands, and the steeper Nicholas Flat Trail, which brings you to a pond.

There are 135 family campsites at Leo Carrillo with restrooms and token-operated showers. Visit ReserveCalifornia.com and search for “Leo Carrillo SP” to make reservations.

The park was named after Leo Carrillo (1880-1961), actor, preservationist and conservationist. Leo Carrillo served on the California Beach and Parks commission for 18 years and was instrumental in the state's acquisition of the Hearst property at San Simeon. Leo's greatest fame came from his portrayal of Pancho, the sidekick to Duncan Renaldo's Cisco Kid, an early 1950's TV series.

Leo Carrillo State Park is located at 35000 W. Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu. The park office phone is 310.457.8143. Visit www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=616 for more information.

Parking is currently $12 in the parking lot for the day (or $3 per hour)...but free on PCH if you can find a spot. There are plenty of parking spots available in the lot. After you park, you can walk in a tunnel underneath PCH to get to the beach.

The muraled tunnel that takes you underneath PCH to Leo Carrillo Beach.

Dogs on a leash are allowed in the Park's day use areas, campground and north beach (north of lifeguard tower 3). Dogs are not allowed on backcountry trails or south beach (south of lifeguard tower 3).

DIRECTIONS

The most direct way of getting to Leo Carrillo from the Conejo Valley is via Westlake Boulevard (CA-23) (aka Decker Canyon) south, which for some is a fun 14 mile drive, but for others, not so much. It is a bit winding, hilly, steep at many junctures. I take this route during daytime hours but coming home I'm not too keen on it. After getting to PCH, turn right and drive 2 1/2 miles to get to Leo Carrillo.

Another more popular, though less direct route is via Kanan Road. Either take Kanan Road straight down to PCH, turn right (west) on PCH about 9 miles to Leo Carrillo, or take Kanan to Encinal Canyon, which is about a 3 mile drive on PCH to Leo Carrillo.

Lastly, if you are in Newbury Park, you can take Potrero Road west to Las Posas down to PCH. In about 11 miles you will reach Leo Carrillo.

DOZENS OF LOCAL AREA BEACHES

Malibu Lagoon State Beach

Malibu Lagoon State Beach is where Malibu Creek meets the Pacific Ocean. To get there, park either at the state lot (corner of Pacific Coast Highway and Cross Creek Road) for a fee, along Pacific Coast Highway or across the street in spots available near Malibu Country Mart and the Malibu Civic Center.

The lagoon is serene, with a sandbar of pelicans enjoying their summer day. This beach extends southeast to Surfrider Beach and the Malibu Pier, which is just a short walk away. While you're there try to check out the Adamson House and Malibu Lagoon Museum.

More information at www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=835. Dogs are not allowed at Malibu Lagoon State Beach and trails.

INFORMATION ABOUT AND DIRECTIONS TO DOZENS OF LOCAL AREA BEACHES AT THIS LINK

Lizard Rock Trail From Lizard Rock to Wildwood Canyon at Wildwood Park Thousand Oaks

This is one in a series of posts about trails in the 1,765 acre Wildwood Park in Thousand Oaks.

Lizard Rock at Wildwood Park

Lizard Rock is a popular 2 mile round trip destination for hikers from the main parking area in Wildwood Park, mostly on the Mesa Trail. It is a moderate hike with an elevation gain of about 300 feet to its peak at 931 feet.

Sign just south of Lizard Rock indication direction of Lizard Rock Trail towards Wildwood Canyon

After reaching Lizard Rock, some folks (hikers and bikers) venture further south on the Lizard Rock Trail about .8 mile of downhill that takes you past the City of Thousand Oaks Hill Canyon Water Treatment Facility to the Wildwood Canyon area, a drop of about 600 feet in elevation.

View of Hill Canyon Waste Treatment Plan from near Lizard Rock

The descent down the Lizard Rock Trail provides nice views into the Santa Rosa Valley as it zigs and zags towards the bottom. You can see Hill Canyon from Lizard Rock but as you move down the hill you will get a much clearer view of this high tech facility that converts wastewater into a reusable water source. You will indeed catch some whiffs of smells that aren't particularly pleasing down there but having been down there myself a number of times, it ain't that bad.

The descent down Lizard Rock Trail

Before you reach the bottom, there are several overlook benches available to take a break as you look towards the Arroyo Conejo, Santa Rosa Valley and beyond.

The first of two overlook benches facing west on the Lizard Rock Trail

A view of the same bench looking back up (north) towards Lizard Rock (yes, that's the lizard head poking out of the hill on the right).

And here's the 2nd bench, further down the Lizard Rock Trail. Is that actual green I see up ahead in late September!? Yes it is. Must be drought-tolerant native shrubs!

Hill Canyon comes into closer view

As you can see, the Lizard Rock Trail starts heading back east as it traverses the Hill Canyon Treatment Plant. Amazing facility. I wouldn't want to go swimming in the green liquid however.

At the very bottom of the trail, after you have completely passed the water treatment plant, you see this sign that indicates you are on your way towards Lower Wildwood Canyon.

So you've reached the bottom of Wildwood Canyon and other than heading back up that steep Lizard Rock Trail to where you just came from, you can take the more interesting loop route following the Wildwood Canyon Trail to Wildwood Canyon. There are restrooms, drinking fountain and picnic tables in there.

From Wildwood Canyon, either continue onward up the Wildwood Canyon Trail about a third of a mile to Paradise Falls, or the Tepee Trail (yes, this is what it is called on the map), which largely parallels the Wildwood Canyon Trail, up towards, yes, the Tee Pee. Then follow the signs back

There is a great map that covers this Lizard Rock to Paradise Falls to Two Springs (formerly Indian Creek) Trail loop, about 4 1/2 miles in total, on the Conejo Open Space Foundation website at www.cosf.org/website/html/lizard-waterfall-creek.html.

Since we're down at the bottom of the canyon, you will see a sign for "Skunk Hollow." This is a tree-lined area adjacent to the creek with a picnic bench. Kind of nice little area, just around the corner from the waste treatment plant, albeit not within view of the plant. 

And in that area, you will see a sign indicating Eagle Point Trail. Eagle Point Trail is a hilly little 1/3 of a mile alternate route that gets you into Wildwood Canyon. The first section has dozens of steps. The remainder has a few steep sections. Just a small side attraction to check out. 

El Rincon, El Cerro and Las Brisas Trails in Dos Vientos Section of Newbury Park

In the heart of Dos Vientos (Spanish for Two Winds), there are three trails that are accessible from multiple spots by walkers, hikers, runners and bikers. These are the El Rincon, El Cerro and Las Brisas trails. These trails are all nicely maintained, single track and provide great views of the surrounding areas. Other trails surrounding Dos Vientos include the Vista Del Mar Trail, Sierra Vista Trail, Sumac Trail (kind of parallels Sierra Vista Trail), El Encanto Trail and Powerline (Edison Road) Trail, as well as the Potrero Ridge Trail.

Access to the El Rincon Trail is near the corner of Via Rincon and Rancho Dos Vientos. The trail is about 4/10ths of a mile and connects with the El Cerro and Las Brisas trails.

Access to El Cerro and Las Brisas trails is at the juncture of Via Las Brisas and Calle Del Prado and several other points. Visit https://cosf.org/files/maps/dos_vientos_trail_map.pdf for a trail map on the Conejo Open Space Foundation website.

Point Dume State Beach

On November 24, 1793, English explorer George Vancouver named the rocky promontory Point Dume after his friend, Father Francisco Dumetz. Point Dume is the western terminus of Santa Monica Bay and was named California Registered Historical Landmark No. 965.

View in the spring of 2023

Point Dume State Beach is a 63 acre promontory that juts out into the Pacific and features headlands, cliffs, rocky coves and vast beach access for swimming, surfing and scuba diving.

To get to Point Dume State Beach, take Westward Beach Road southeast from PCH near Zuma Beach's south side to the paid parking area, or park on Westward Beach Road, which parallels Westward Beach.

To the southeast of Westward Beach is a small 300 foot or so beachfront area called Pirate's Cove Beach (which due to its seclusion was once used as a nude beach).

Pirate's Cove beach seen from the top of the promontory. You can climb down there and when the tide is moderate to low, walk around to it.

The 34-acre Point Dume Natural Preserve also begins from the cul-de-sac. A gradual ascending trail leads to an ancient coastal bluff sand dune with spectacular views...we've seen whales, seals and dolphins over here. A stairway from the east side of the bluff-top preserve allows access to a more isolated beach and tidepools (look but don't touch). You'll have fun exploring up here.

In the spring of 2023

This is a snippet of the pilot episode, "The Lady in the Bottle," of I Dream of Jeannie that originally aired September 18, 1965. If you skip to 1:39 in this clip, you will see the prominent rock formations on the east side of the Point Dume promontory. Below is a more recent shot of that area.

This is where Captain Anthony Nelson (Larry Hagman) made a giant S.O.S. in the sand with sticks and other items, including an old bottle that moved itself. He picks it up, dusts it off, and out pops Barbara Eden. Lucky guy!

Location/Directions: Take Kanan south to PCH and turn right. Westward Beach Road is over the rise, at the foot of the hill. Park free on WBR or pay a fee at Westward Beach lot. No restrooms at the Preserve but some can be found on WBR. Call 310.457.8143 or visit www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=623 for more information. Also see beaches.lacounty.gov/point-dume-beach.

Dogs are not allowed on trails in the Point Dume Natural Preserve or on the beach.

Westward Beach

Springtime at the Point Dume Natural Preserve

Corriganville Park in Simi Valley

Corriganville Park is a historical 206 acre park located at 7001 Smith Road in Simi Valley that is owned and operated by the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District. The park has over four miles of hiking, biking and equestrian trails, sandstone cliffs, an oak forest, seasonal stream, shaded picnic areas, Camp Rotary Youth Campground, picnic shelter and more.

The park is named after Ray "Crash" Corrigan, a stuntman/actor who owned the park from 1937 to 1965, when over 3,500 movies, TV shows and commercials were filmed there. In 1949, the Corrigan Movie Ranch opened as a Western-style amusement park with a train ride and stagecoach ride that in the late 1950s had greater weekend attendance than Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm.

Bob Hope bought the property in 1965 and renamed it Hopetown, but filming stopped after a year. The ranch burned down in the 1970s and all that is left are the cement slabs and exterior rock walls of the barn. You've got to visit the Santa Susana Depot Museum around the corner from Corriganville and see the model of what Corriganville looked like in 1960, then visit the park to see the slabs and imagine what it was like back then.

There is an interpretative trail at Corriganville with 20 markers that provide information about the vegetation and surroundings as well as some of the history. Visit www.rsrpd.org/business_detail_T9_R53.php for a link to pdf brochures with information about the history and trails of the park. Or call 805.584.4400.

Sapwi Bike Park in Thousand Oaks

Beginners’ pump track at Sapwi Trails Community Park.

The Sapwi Bike Park project is a partnership between the Concerned Off-Road Bicyclists Association (CORBA) and Conejo Recreation and Park District (CRPD). The park is a free, public recreational bicycle skills park facility located in the heart of beautiful Sapwi Trails Community Park in Thousand Oaks.

The park also features several miles of multi-use trails, natural habitat preservation, and other activities such as disc golf, cross-country running, and a non-motorized glider flying area.

The Sapwi Trails Bike Park offers a wide range of trails and features to challenge all ages and skill levels. In addition to a pump track, the park features progressive drop and jump lines – varying in difficulty from beginner to advanced. Outside of the dedicated bike park area, there are several trail side feature areas and a hard-surface beginner level pump track.

This 145 acre Sapwi Trails Community Park is located in the open space between Erbes Road (at Scenicpark Street) on the west and Westlake Boulevard east, with Avenida de los Arboles on the north. There are three parking lots off of Erbes, Arboles and Westlake Boulevard.

Learn more about the Sapwi Bike Park at sapwibikepark.com.

National Park Service Visitor Center in Thousand Oaks (Moved to Calabasas in 2012)

IN JUNE 2012, THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE VISITOR CENTER MOVED TO THE ANTHONY C. BEILENSON VISITOR CENTER IN CALABASAS. CLICK THIS LINK FOR MORE INFORMATION

The National Park Service Visitor Center, located at 401 West Hillcrest Drive in Thousand Oaks, is an outstanding place to learn more about the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (SSMNRA). SSMNRA is over 154,000 square acres, which makes it the largest urban national park in the United States.

The National Park Service controls 21,500 of those acres and the best place to learn more about the SMM is this Visitor Center! There is always has someone on duty to answer questions about trails, maps, habitat, plants, hiking, camping, etc. Additionally, the Center has informational displays, maps and brochures, books and educational items for the kids for sale.

Visit the NPS website at www.nps.gov/samo for more information or call the Center at 805.370.2301.