Hikes on California’s Central Coast

The Central Coast possesses some of the most scenic hiking in California, especially for those who enjoy ocean views. Numerous small parks protect the area's green spaces and many are free to the public. Highlights of California's Central Coast [wp_ad_wide_page] Hiking California's Central Coast Los Padres National Forest is the major protective body on the Central Coast, preserving mountain ranges that span across Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties. ... Read more.
Latest reports on the Central Coast (page 27)
Central Coast

Rose Valley Falls
in Los Padres National Forest

Trails | Ventura
Trail Rating:
Rose Valley Falls in Los Padres National Forest
Rose Valley Falls is a magnificent two-tier 300-foot waterfall located on the west end of the Topatopa Mountains in Los Padres National Forest. Rose Valley Falls is the tallest waterfall in the range and while it is an easy hike to the base of the 100-foot tall lower tier of the waterfall (0.8 miles round trip with 150 feet of elevation gain), it is adventure to reach the more impressive upper tier. ...Read more.
Tagged with · Adventure Pass · Los Padres National Forest · Off Trail · Ojai · Topatopa Mountains · Waterfalls
Distance: 0.8 miles · Elevation change: 150 feet
By: Seth Smigelski Published: February 25, 2010 Last updated: December 5, 2025
Los Angeles

Lizard Rock
in Wildwood Park

Los Angeles | Trails | Ventura
Trail Rating:
Lizard Rock in Wildwood Park
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 over five hundred feet from the canyon below to offer fine views of Stagecoach Bluff and beyond. This write-up describes a 4.35-mile loop with 570 feet of elevation change that visits both Lizard Rock and Paradise Falls. ...Read more.
Tagged with · Creeks · Free Trails · Thousand Oaks · Dog-Friendly Trails · Mountain Biking Trails
Distance: 4.35 miles · Elevation change: 570 feet
By: Seth Smigelski Published: January 19, 2010 Last updated: December 5, 2025
Los Angeles

Paradise Falls
in Wildwood Park

Los Angeles | Trails | Ventura
Trail Rating:
Paradise Falls in Wildwood Park
Paradise Falls drops 40 feet into a large pool along the Arroyo Conejo in Thousand Oaks. The waterfall is located within Wildwood Park, and thanks to an almost excessive network of trails, Paradise Falls may be reached via several routes, including a 2.15-mile out and back hike or a 2.55-mile loop that visits a small cave. It is a downhill hike from the trailhead to Paradise Falls with 260 feet of elevation change. ...Read more.
Tagged with · Free Trails · Thousand Oaks · Waterfalls · Dog-Friendly Trails · Los Angeles Waterfalls · Mountain Biking Trails
Distance: 2.55 miles · Elevation change: 260 feet
By: Seth Smigelski Published: January 19, 2010 Last updated: December 5, 2025
Los Angeles

Tri Peaks
in the Santa Monica Mountains

Los Angeles | Trails | Ventura
Trail Rating:
Tri Peaks in the Santa Monica Mountains
Want to add another peak to the Sandstone Peak-Mishe Mokwa loop? The side trail to Tri Peaks offers an additional 1.2 miles of rugged (but not too steep) hiking. The offshoot is far less maintained than the main loop and appears to get frequent visits from water runoff. Getting to Tri Peaks involves hiking up a trail that has devolved into a gully. ...Read more.
Tagged with · Free Trails · Malibu · Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area · Santa Monica Mountains
Distance: 1.2 miles · Elevation change: 1075 feet
By: Seth Smigelski Published: January 8, 2010 Last updated: December 5, 2025
Los Angeles

Sandstone Peak
in the Santa Monica Mountains

Los Angeles | Trails | Ventura
Trail Rating:
Sandstone Peak in the Santa Monica Mountains
At 3,111 feet, Sandstone Peak is the tallest point in the Santa Monica Mountains. The summit can be reached via a 6.25-mile loop with 1,075 feet of elevation gain that (in addition to bragging rights) offers expansive views of the range. Head to Circle X Ranch in the Santa Monica Mountains, and start up the Backbone Trail toward Sandstone Peak. After a third of a mile, turn right, taking the connection to Mishe Mokwa Trail. ...Read more.
Tagged with · Free Trails · Malibu · Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area · Summits · Dog-Friendly Trails · Santa Monica Mountains
Distance: 6.25 miles · Elevation change: 1075 feet
By: Seth Smigelski Published: January 7, 2010 Last updated: April 13, 2026
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