Oxnard, California
Oxnard, California is home to some of the best trails and outdoor activities. A must-visit is the Channel Islands Harbor, a scenic waterfront featuring boating, kayaking, and paddleboarding. For hikers, the Santa Clara River Trail is a top choice. This 8-mile trail offers views of unique rock formations, the flowing Santa Clara River, and abundant birdlife. It's an easy to moderate hike, making it suitable for families. If you're a fan of birdwatching, McGrath State Beach is a top spot, housing over 245 bird species. For beach lovers, Silver Strand Beach is a gem with its pristine sand and clear waters. Enjoy swimming, surfing, or a relaxing beach walk. Oxnard is indeed a hub for outdoor adventures.
Top Spots in and near Oxnard
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Ojai, California
Rose Valley Falls
5.00.68 mi / 256 ft gain...It's not often that you come across 100 ft waterfalls. This moderate to easy hike to Rose Valley Falls leads you to one of the tallest waterfalls in the Los Padres National Forest. The hike begins at Rose Valley Campground. If you're not staying at a campsite, park outside the entrance of the ...Read more -
Malibu, California
Hike the Backbone East from Latigo Canyon
3.8 mi / 780 ft gainStarting in a dusty, generally empty parking lot, at about 2,000' ASL, you'll go immediately due north, up a few more feet before you drop down into another canyon covered in live oaks (and poison oak), thistles, ferns, and wildflowers. There's only one trail. It's windy, it's not hilly, it just ...Read more -
Carpinteria, California
Camp at Carpinteria State Beach
3.7There are 2 campgrounds close to Rincón, but Carpinteria State Beach is a little bigger and easier to find a spot. There are 4 campgrounds: Santa Cruz, Anacapa, San Miguel and Santa Rosa. Most of them are RV sites, but if you stay at Santa Cruz Campground you can set your tent right at the beach,...Read more -
Ventura, California
Kayak Santa Cruz Island
4.5As the largest of the Channel Islands, Santa Cruz Island in the Channel Island National Park is an ecological treasure, and to kayak it is to get to experience it in a manner unlike any other. Getting to the island is easiest through Island Packers where you can also reserve a kayak (so pack effi...Read more -
Ventura, California
Cavern Point & Potato Harbor Loop
4.99 mi / 545 ft gainTucked away in the Pacific Ocean just 25 miles from the coast, the Channel Islands are one of Southern California’s hidden gems. With towering cliffs and isolated beaches that hug the coast, this place makes you feel worlds away from home. Channel Islands National Park is comprised of five island...Read more -
Ventura, California
Potato Harbor via North Bluff Trail
4.49 mi / 463 ft gainThe 4.5-mile North Bluff Trail traverses the colossal cliffs of Santa Cruz Island in Channel Islands National Park from Scorpion Anchorage to Potato Harbor. Arrive via an Island Packers boat to Scorpion Anchorage and, upon disembarking, walk straight ahead. Just past the restrooms (one of only tw...Read more -
Ventura, California
Scorpion Ranch Campground
4.00.72 mi / 43 ft gainAccessible only by Ferry, this little-known national park is a backpacker's dream. You can catch the ferry out of Ventura or Santa Barbara, only a short distance from LA. The ride to the island is around 1 hour. We chose to take Island Packers Ferry out of Ventura to Santa Cruz Island. The ferry...Read more -
Ventura, California
Smuggler's Cove
3.57.72 mi / 1342 ft gainSave one stretch of elevation close to the cove itself, this 8-mile, round-trip hike is a leisuring trek across one of the countries most beautiful, though less famous National Parks - the Channel Islands. Smuggler's Cove is located on the Santa Cruz Island, which also happens to be the largest i...Read more -
Ventura, California
Potato Harbor Trail
5.04.34 mi / 404 ft gainAs California’s largest island, Santa Cruz Island of the Channel Islands is the perfect little getaway from Los Angeles. Getting to the island is possible only by a one hour boat ride through Island Packers, click here to find out more about them. Be sure to pack light since you’ll be carrying ev...Read more -
Ojai, California
Matilija Falls
5.08.6 mi / 0 ft gainNote: This trail is temporarily closed. For more updates, please visit the Forest Service website for more updates. ...If you've read most of my blogs, you'll probably notice I have a fascination for waterfalls! I've done this hike multiple times, but it wasn't until this day where I saw these ...Read more -
Agoura Hills, California
Ladyface Peak
4.52.05 mi / 971 ft gainLadyface is a volcanic ridge that juts up over Agoura Hills. It is a short but steep hike up the ridgeline, and it offers amazing views to either side. Sections of the trail are steep and sandy so it can be challenging to maintain your footing. Trekking poles are optional and can help with the de...Read more -
Ojai, California
Camp at Rose Valley
5.0Close to Ventura and Ojai, California, this spot is an easy weekend getaway from the hectic coast of Ventura. Follow Highway 33 east toward Ojai. This road will lead into the Los Padres National Forest and become very curved and sleep as it gets closer to Rose Valley. The sign for the Park with b...Read more -
Malibu, California
Point Dume
4.80.95 mi / 141 ft gainFrom the parking lot, make your way towards Point Dume. You will find the entrance to the trail at the end of the lot. The trail is a bit sandy, but fairly easy. Be careful of the cactus plants along the trail! Make your way up towards the cliff and you'll notice ropes hanging on the edge. Don't...Read more -
Malibu, California
Paradise Cove via Point Dume
5.04.74 mi / 338 ft gainYou will start your beach-hiking to Paradise Cove from Point Dume which is located 20 miles north of Santa Monica on Pacific Coast Highway (PCH). On PCH, take left on Westward Beach Road and follow it to the end. Try to park as close to the end of the paid parking lot. You can use the automated m...Read more -
Malibu, California
Rock Climb at Point Dume
4.0There are a couple of different ways to get to the rock, but the easiest will be at the end of Westward Beach Rd. The rock is impossible to miss as you drive further down the beach. Once parked, which I believe you have to pay for beyond a certain point, it's a short walk out on the sand to the b...Read more -
Ojai, California
Piedra Blanca Formations
5.05.41 mi / 860 ft gainThese white sandstone formations, splitting out of the forest, are a worthwhile sight as you climb up to gain a great vantage point of the valley. Spend some time exploring the rocks - the nooks & crannies are full of surprises. You can turn this into an overnighter by staying at the campgrou...Read more
