To add extra mileage and views to a visit to Paradise Falls in Thousand Oaks, consider placing Lizard Rock on your itinerary. Lizard Rock rises five hundred feet from the canyon below to offer fine views of Stage Coach Bluff and beyond.

There are two trails to Lizard Rock from the park entrance. Stagecoach Bluff Trail runs along the rim of the canyon and is longer and more scenic with a few winding passages along the canyon wall. The Mesa Trail is more direct and is the route you would actually want to drive a stagecoach down (if that was your mode of transportation). The trail is wide and runs straight up the gut of the park.

The trail to Lizard Rock

From just under the summit of Lizard Rock, take the left branch as it winds down to Wildwood Canyon. This is a shared trail, so watch out for bikers speeding down the switchbacks. The trail here is surprisingly steep. Attempting this hike in reverse requires much more effort.

The trail carves along the side of the canyon above a large water treatment facility that is downstream from Paradise Falls. Ahead you will enter a grove of Sycamores and come to the Skull Hollow picnic area. From here take Wildwood Canyon Trail as it passes beneath the shade next to the Arroyo Conejo. This pleasant stroll will lead you straight to Paradise Falls.

It is a 2.5-mile trek from the main entrance to Paradise Falls via Lizard Rock. For the return, there are several of routes to choose from. Whichever route you take, the total round-trip distance for this extended loop will be approximately 3.7 miles. Review Paradise Falls for more. No fee or permit is required, so get out and enjoy!

To get to the trailhead: take the 101 north from Los Angeles to Thousand Oaks. Exit on Lynn Road and drive for a few miles before turning left on Avenido de los Arboles. Park in the lot at the end of the street and start hiking.

Use the map below to create your own directions:

View Los Angeles Hikes in a larger map

Photos

 

Lizard Rock
                         
Paradise Falls
                                     
Indian Cave
       

These photos were taken in April of 2009. Click to enlarge.

Nearby Trails

 

	Paradise Falls This 40-foot waterfall spills into a large pool along the Arroyo Conejo. Paradise Falls is located within Wildwood Park in Thousand Oaks and is reachable via several trails.
	Sandstone Peak This 6-mile loop summits the tallest peak in the Santa Monica Mountains.
	The Grotto This 3-mile out and back visits a remote grotto in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
	More trails in Los Angeles Explore other hiking destinations around Los Angeles.

More Info

 

Trail map and photos of a loop hike to Paradise Falls from the Conejo Open Space Foundation

A trail map of Wildwood Park from the Conejo Open Space Foundation

A map of trails around Throusand Oaks

Paradise Falls on localhikes.com