Hikes in Ojai

The city of Ojai lies on the southern edge of Los Padres National Forest, and there is great hiking in the green mountains around the city. Route 33, Mariposa Highway, heads north of Ojai into the breathtaking mountains, offering a scenic drive with numerous hairpin switchbacks. Along the way, there are several places to hike and camp. The largest campground in the area is Wheeler Gorge with seventy sites and a pleasant one-mile loop trail. ... Read more.
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Los Angeles

The Grotto
in the Santa Monica Mountains

Los Angeles | Trails | Ventura
Trail Rating:
The Grotto in the Santa Monica Mountains
Simply named The Grotto, this narrow bolder-filled canyon with small talus caves covering a creek in the mountains makes a fun destination for a short hike. From the Circle X Ranch Visitor Center in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area on the west side of Malibu, it is 3-mile round trip to the Grotto with 475 feet of elevation loss. The trail beneath Circle X Ranch and Exchange Peak From the main parking area for Circle X Ranch, walk down the access road to a small group campsite and pick up the single track trail to the Grotto, which descends into a verdant canyon. ...Read more.
Tagged with · Creeks · Free Trails · Malibu · Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area · Wildflowers · Dog-Friendly Trails · Santa Monica Mountains
Distance: 3 miles · Elevation change: 475 feet
By: Seth Smigelski Published: December 28, 2009 Last updated: May 19, 2026
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