One of the many perks of living in The Conejo Valley is all of the great hikes close by. These hikes are easy enough for kids, but still fun for adults. All of these hikes have been completed with kids as young as 7 years old. Each hike is linked to AllTrails.com where you can get all the info you need.
Here are my favorite hikes around Westlake Village and The Conejo Valley:
Malibu Creek – Rock Pool Century Lake
The famous M.A.S.H. hike (quick video). Ok, the M.A.S.H. area isn’t all that exciting, but it’s still a great hike. Located off Kanan in Malibu Canyon (map), Century Lake is a beautiful lake with large boulders where you can swim and watch rock climbers. Park outside the main parking area and walk in to save the entrance fee.
Paradise Falls – Thousand Oaks
One of the best Thousand Oaks hikes, located where Lynn and Avenida De Los Arboles cross (map). What makes this hike special is the 70-foot waterfall that plunges into a pool below (quick video). The trail is well marked and easy to navigate, much of it along a creek. There are plenty of places to picnic and relax along the way. Dogs are allowed and even my fat pug was able to handle it no problem.
Boney Mountain Overlook – Newbury Park
This is one of the first hikes I took my kids on, and they still say it’s one of their favorites. The trailhead is located in Newbury Park off Lynn Road (map). It’s a little more strenuous than some of the others, but worth it. Great views of Boney Mountain, huge meadows, and a waterfall. Don’t bring your dog though. Many of the trails don’t allow them.
This is such a cool hidden little area that I had no idea existed (quick video). The trail is off Decker Canyon in the Malibu hills (map). It’s an easy mile-and-a-half walk down to the grotto area. The grotto is a cave-like area with huge boulders you can climb in and even swim. You can also bring your lunch and hang out there for a picnic. It’s a great easy hike that kids will love.
It’s a little further than the others, about a 30-minute drive from Westlake Village off PCH in Malibu, and well worth it (map). It’s an easy 3-mile hike for all ages, and you can bring your dog. What makes this hike special are the ruins by a waterfall. There was a house from the 60s tucked back in this canyon that backs to a waterfall you can climb around.
China Flats is tucked up at the top of Lindero Canyon Road (map). It’s an uphill, mostly single-track hike to the top with some great views of the Conejo Valley (quick video). From the top, you can continue on the Palo Comado Fire Road and connect with trails throughout the canyon.
Bowfield Hike – Westlake Village
The Bowfield Hike (map) is a quick and relatively easy hike that gives you 360-degree panoramic views of the Conejo Valley (quick video). It’s less than a mile from the trailhead to the top. From there, you can continue all the way down to Thousand Oaks Blvd and beyond.
If you’re getting to know the area, I’ve put together a bunch of local guides that can help
