Hikes in Ventura County

Ventura County is at the south end of the Central Coast of California with beautiful beaches and mountains. Numerous great hikes can be enjoyed by those in the region (or making quick getaways from Los Angeles).

Highlights of Ventura County

  • This level 1.5-mile loop in Emma Wood State Beach in Ventura borders the Pacific Ocean, the Ventura River, and an estuary flocked by seabirds.
  • This 19-mile hike follows beautiful Sespe Creek to a relaxing hot springs in the Sespe Wilderness of Los Padres National Forest.
  • This 0.8-mile hike leads to the lower tier of a lovely two-tier 300-foot waterfall in Los Padres National Forest.
  • This 0.7-mile loop explores the creek and forest on a nature trail around a 70-site campground in Los Padres National Forest.
  • This 4.75-mile hike climbs to a summit in Rocky Peak Park in the Santa Susana Mountains on the border of Los Angeles and Ventura Counties with views over Chatsworth and Simi Valley.
  • This 2.1-mile loop is action-packed, crossing through an impressive cave to climb to a rocky peak with views over the San Fernando Valley.
  • This 40-foot waterfall in Wildwood Park in Thousand Oaks can be reached via several trails for hikes of 2.55 miles or more.
  • This overlook on the north side of the Santa Monica Mountains has views across the Conejo Valley and can be reached via 4-mile and 7.6-mile hikes.
  • This 1.5-mile hike visits a short seasonal waterfall in a coastal canyon in Point Mugu State Park on the west end of the Santa Monica Mountains.
  • This 11.5-mile loop offers incredible ocean views, exploring Point Mugu State Park on the west end of the Santa Monica Mountains.
  • This 6.25-mile loop summits the tallest peak in the Santa Monica Mountains with sweeping 360-degree views.
  • This 3-mile hike visits a creek flowing through a talus cave in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.
  • This 2.7 to 3.5-mile loop takes in tremendous ocean views above Big Sycamore Canyon in Point Mugu State Park.

Hiking Ventura County

The west end of the Santa Monica Mountains extends into Ventura County, providing plenty of trails around Newbury Park and Thousand Oaks. Strolls along the beach can be found near the city of Ventura. The south end of the county includes parts of the Santa Monica Mountains, Simi Hills, and Santa Susana Mountains, which also extend into Los Angeles County. Beautiful coastal hikes can be found in Point Mugu State Park on the border of Malibu.

The city of Ojai is inland from the coast and wrapped by lovely green mountains. These are the Topatopa Mountains, protected by Los Padres National Forest, and packed with excellent hiking. Horn Canyon Trail, Sisar Canyon Trail, and Santa Paula Canyon Trail delve into the mountains just east of Ojai.

Route 33, Mariposa Highway, heads north of Ojai, offering a scenic drive into the mountains with numerous hairpin turns. Along the way 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. The tallest waterfall in the Los Padres, the two-tier 300-foot Rose Valley Falls, is located three miles off Route 33 and is easy to get to from the campground. East of the waterfall is Sespe Wilderness, where backpackers can trek to more remote locations, including Willett Hot Springs.

An adventure pass may be required for visits to Los Padres National Forest. Day passes cost $5 and an annual pass is $30. The passes may be purchased within the park, at various local retailers, and online. The passes are valid at other national forests in California as well, like Angeles National Forest.

Ventura Hiking

This collection of trails in Ventura County, California lists the hikes from west to east. The table may also be sorted alphabetically or by distance to help you pick your next hike. Each trail links to its own report complete with directions, photos, GPS maps, elevation profiles, and all the other information needed to locate and enjoy these hikes. You can also view hikes around Ventura County on the Hike Finder Map.

TrailDescriptionDistanceLocation
Sespe Creek800Sespe Creek to Willett Hot Springs
This out and back hike follows Sespe Creek to a relaxing hot springs.
19 miles
500 feet
34.5605,
-119.1648
Rose Valley Falls810Rose Valley Falls
This out and back hike leads to the lower tier of a lovely two-tier 300-foot waterfall.
0.8 miles
150 feet
34.5317,
-119.1829
Wheeler Gorge Trail820Wheeler Gorge
This loop explores the creek and forest on a nature trail around a 70-site campground in Los Padres National Forest.
0.7 miles
100 feet
34.518444,
-119.271208
Horn Canyon Trail823Horn Canyon Trail
This hike in Ojai goes up a canyon in the frontcountry of the Topatopa Mountains and ventures off trail along the soothing waters of Thacher Creek.
2.9 miles
750 feet
34.46337,
-119.17838
Sisar Canyon Trail824Sisar Canyon Trail
This hike travels up a canyon to a viewpoint in the Topatopa Mountains between Ojai and Santa Paula.
5.5 - 6.5 miles
1,125 - 1,200 feet
34.44338,
-119.13567
Santa Paula Canyon Trail Punchbowl827Santa Paula Canyon Trail to the Punchbowl
This hike ventures up rugged Santa Paula Canyon to a waterfall and a Punchbowl of pools and cascades in Santa Paula Creek by Big Cone Camp.
8 miles
800 feet
34.4262,
-119.0894
Emma Wood State Beach830Ocean's Edge and River's Edge Trails Loop
This level loop in Emma Wood State Beach borders the Pacific Ocean, the Ventura River, and an estuary flocked by seabirds.
1.5 miles
25 feet
34.28057,
-119.315346
La Jolla Canyon840La Jolla Canyon Loop
This hike explores Point Mugu State Park on the west end of the Santa Monica Mountains, offering incredible ocean views.
11.75 miles
1,250 feet
34.086097,
-119.03688
Mugu Peak850Mugu Peak
This out and back hike from La Jolla Canyon to the 1,266-foot summit features superb ocean and canyon views.
6.5 miles
1,250 feet
34.092697,
-119.055712
La Jolla Canyon Falls860La Jolla Canyon Falls
This out and back hike visits a short seasonal waterfall in Point Mugu State Park.
1.5 miles
250 feet
34.093047,
-119.043134
Overlook Trail870Scenic and Overlook Trails Loop
This loop takes in tremendous ocean views above Big Sycamore Canyon in Point Mugu State Park.
2.7 - 3.5 miles
450 to 550 feet
34.071305,
-119.012668
The Grotto Malibu880Grotto
This out and back hike visits a remote grotto in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.
3.5 miles
500 feet
34.109292,
-118.937438
Sandstone Peak890Sandstone Peak
This loop summits the tallest peak in the Santa Monica Mountains.
6.25 miles
1,075 feet
34.111576, -118.926766
Tri Peaks900Tri Peaks
This 1-mile addition to the Sandstone Peak loop adds extra views to the hike.
7.45 miles
1,075 feet
34.111576, -118.926766
Angel Vista Thousand Oaks910Angel Vista via Rosewood Trail
This out and back hike is the most direct route to a panoramic viewpoint overlooking the Conejo Valley.
4 miles
800 feet
34.1768,
-118.9128
Angel Vista920Angel Vista via West Los Robles Trail
This out and back hike reaches an overlook on the north side of the Santa Monica Mountains with views over Thousand Oaks.
7.6 miles
800 feet
34.1719,
-118.881
Oak Creek Canyon Trail922Oak Creek Canyon Trail
This loop starts with an all-access nature trail with signs in English and Braille before transitioning to a less developed dirt single track, looping through chaparral and oak woodlands in Los Robles Open Space.
0.8 miles
200 feet
34.1753,
-118.8856
Tarantula Hill Thousand Oaks hike925Tarantula Hill
This out and back hike follows a paved trail to the top of a small, round hill in Thousand Oaks with views across the Conejo Valley into the surrounding mountains.
1 mile
275 feet
34.195528,
-118.885343
Paradise Falls930Paradise Falls
This loop visits a 40-foot waterfall in Wildwood Park, an open space in Thousand Oaks.
2.55 miles
260 feet
34.2200,
-118.9028
Lizard Rock940Lizard Rock
To add extra mileage and views to a visit to Paradise Falls in Thousand Oaks, consider placing Lizard Rock on your itinerary.
4.35 miles
570 feet
34.2200,
-118.9028
Rocky Peak950Rocky Peak
This hike climbs to a 2,715-foot summit in Rocky Peak Park in the Santa Susana Mountains between Chatsworth and Simi Valley.
4.75 miles
1,100 feet
34.268362,
-118.636155
China Flat Simi Peak Trail955China Flat & Simi Peak
This hike ventures up rugged ridges to a peaceful oak savanna and a trail to the highest point in the Simi Hills, sporting 360-degree views of surrounding mountain ranges.
5.45 - 6.2 miles
1,090 feet
34.19536,
-118.77684
Cave of Munits and Castle Peak960Cave of Munits and Castle Peak
This action-packed two-attraction loop crosses through an impressive cave to climb to a rocky peak with views over the San Fernando Valley.
2.1 miles
750 feet
34.195322,
-118.658543
View Central Coast trails and campgrounds in a larger map
Or explore hikes around Ventura County on the Hike Finder Map
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M Trail Loop Lemon Grove Loop Trail Hike Cerro San Luis Madonna Mountain Hike to the M San Luis Obispo California
The mountain named Cerro San Luis is one of the top places to hike in San Luis Obispo, and its trailhead is actually in walking distance from downtown SLO. If you're drawn to the large white “M” on the side of the mountain, you're in luck! Not only is the “M” reachable as an extension of the hike to the summit, but thanks to trail created in 2017, hikers can touch... Read more.
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Tagged with · Free Trails · Morros
Distance: 2.4 miles · Elevation change: 560 feet
By: Published: Last updated: March 19, 2021
Reservoir Canyon Creek Bypass Trail loop hike San Luis Obispo California
During the late teens of the 22nd century, San Luis Obispo has developed Reservoir Canyon Natural Reserve into a versatile hiking destination, with upgraded trails and features. Reservoir Canyon Trail and Summit Trail deliver great half-day hikes. However, a shorter option exists that packs Reservoir Canyon into a one-mile experience with 150 feet of elevation change. Use Creek Bypass... Read more.
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Tagged with · Free Trails · Reservoir Canyon Natural Reserve · Waterfalls
Distance: 1 mile · Elevation change: 150 feet
By: Published: Last updated: February 12, 2019
Reservoir Canyon Trail Summit Trail Loop San Luis Obispo Hike Bowden Ranch Reservoir Canyon Natural Reserve
If you've hiked up the hill east of downtown San Luis Obispo on Reservoir Canyon Trail or Summit Trail, you've probably pondered the prospect of connecting the two hikes in order to spend more time enjoying grand views over San Luis Obispo County. Follow Reservoir Canyon Trail up to a stone bench viewpoint, cross Ridge Trail to an old tower housing a bell, and descend Summit Trail to... Read more.
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Tagged with · Free Trails · Reservoir Canyon Natural Reserve · Summits
Distance: 5.6 miles · Elevation change: 1350 feet
By: Published: Last updated: February 13, 2019
Reservoir Canyon Summit Trail San Luis Obispo Hike to High School Hill Tower Bowden Ranch Open Space
You'll give a ringing endorsement to this San Luis Obispo hike! Reservoir Canyon's Summit Trail ascends to sweeping panoramas over San Luis Obispo and an old tower with a bell that you can ring with a pebble. The hike from Reservoir Canyon to the High School Hill Tower is 4.1 miles round trip with 1,175 feet of elevation change. Expand your horizons from there by following Ridge Trail up to... Read more.
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Tagged with · Free Trails · Reservoir Canyon Natural Reserve · Summits
Distance: 4.1 miles · Elevation change: 1175 feet
By: Published: Last updated: February 13, 2019
Hazard Peak Bloody Nose Trail Hiedra Trail Hazard Peak Trail Hike Montaña de Oro State Park Hike California
The panoramic summit of Hazard Peak in Montaña de Oro State Park has excellent coastal views. Hazard Peak Trail is the most obvious route to the top and a great choice, rising to the 1,076-foot summit over 3 miles. A junction partway up Hazard Peak Trail makes it possible to add a couple other trails to the approach. Bloody Nose Trail and Hiedra Trail are a combined 0.85 miles long,... Read more.
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Tagged with · California State Parks · Free Trails · Irish Hills · Los Osos · Ocean Views · Montaña de Oro State Park
Distance: 5.55 miles · Elevation change: 950 feet
By: Published: Last updated: May 20, 2017