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. Thanks to an almost excessive network of trails, the falls can be visited as an out-and-back or as a loop. Either way, the basic distance is about 2.5 miles round-trip. The falls can also be visited in conjunction with other trails in the park to form a longer hike. Adding a visit to Lizard Rock is one good way to extend the hike.

The way to Paradise Falls is marked at most trail intersections, so it will not be difficult to find. The easiest route starts straight up the main trail from the parking lot. After 1/3 of a mile up the trail, take the left split to remain on the access road. Just before a dirt parking lot, there will be a sign for the Moonridge Trail leading to the left. Take this connection and follow the signs for Paradise Falls.

Paradise Falls

The Moonridge Trail connects to the main parking lot as well. It wraps along the canyon wall and can be taken the entire way to the falls. The Moonridge Trail also connects to Wildwood Canyon Trail, which travels up the creek above the falls.

Those who hike up the Arroyo Conejo above the falls will pass Indian Cave before reaching the intersection with the Moonridge Trail and the public access road. These trails can be used in combination to form a loop or a figure eight.

The turnoff for Indian Cave is half a mile up the trail from Paradise Falls. The cave is a few hundred feet away and easy to reach. Indian Cave is just a small tunnel through the rock. We are lead to believe that the Chumash Indians once occupied the cave, although there is no evidence of this.

The map below offers a better visual explanation of all the routes to choose from:

However you get to the falls, you will enjoy them once you are there. There is a decent sized pool of water beneath the falls. Cattails grow at the waters edge and there is plenty of space on the rocks along the creek to relax. The water is cold and clear, and on a hot day, it can feel quite refreshing. There is enough water to swim around and it is deep enough for a jump into the pool. However, there is an advisory against swimming in the creek. In addition to being spring fed, the primary source of water for the creek is street runoff (yuck).

While the landscape above the canyon is dotted with cacti, the Arroyo Conejo is lined with Sycamores and Oaks creating the feeling of an oasis. Wildwood Park can certainly feel like a desert on a hot day. Wear sunscreen and drink plenty of water.

Wildwood Canyon Trail passes up and down canyon from Paradise Falls and can serve as a route to or from the parking lot. This is a pleasant piece of trail with a striking number of picnic tables in shady places to provide refuge from the sun.

A picnic area above the falls along Wildwood Canyon Trail

The park’s true abundance of picnic tables cannot be overstated. In fact, there are six picnic areas right along the canyon near Paradise Falls. Each table is located in the shade, and on most weekends it is not too challenging to find one that is available.

If you head out to Wildwood Park to have a picnic outing, you will find areas with numerous tables and others with just a couple. The park is designed to accommodate any reasonably sized group. At the Sycamore Flats picnic area down stream from the falls, there are even public restrooms. Any of the picnic areas would be a great place to stop off for a bite during a hike of the park.

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:

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Photos

 

Paradise Falls
                                     
Indian Cave
       
Lizard Rock
                           

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

Nearby Trails

 

	Lizard Rock To add extra mileage and views to a visit to Paradise Falls in Thousand Oaks, consider placing Lizard Rock on your itinerary.
	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.

Similar Trails

 

	Escondido Falls This 4-mile out and back visits a 200 foot waterfall that is split into two tiers. The upper tier is 150 feet tall and stunning after a rainstorm.
	Trail Canyon Falls This 4-mile hike visits a 40-foot beauty on the east side of the San Gabriel Mountains.
	Fish Canyon Falls This 4-mile hike starts at a rock quarry with restricted access and ends up at a multi-tiered 80-foot waterfall.
	Millard Falls This one mile hike visits a 50-foot waterfall up one of the most scenic canyons in the range.
	Eaton Falls This 3-mile hike visits a 40-footer.
	Switzer Falls This 4.5-mile hike starts out above and finishes below a 50-foot tall waterfall.

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