Outbound Collective logo

Ventura County, California

Looking for the best chillin in Ventura County? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Ventura County. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Chillin Spots in and near Ventura County

  • Santa Paula, California

    Santa Paula Punch Bowls

    3.6
    6.5 mi / 1037 ft gain
    This is a 6.5 mile trail, out and back. Parking is available along Ojai St, and the trail starts at the entrance of Thomas Aquinas College. Follow the paved road that goes around the school, until you reach a fork on the road, then stay right. The trail will take you through Ferndale Ranch, just ...
    Read more
  • Thousand Oaks, California

    Hiking Wildwood Regional Park

    3.8
    Wildwood Regional Park is open year-round, easily accessible, and offers great routes for hiking, running, biking, and even horseback riding. There are also two waterfalls inside the park—the larger of the two, Paradise Falls, cascades 40 feet into a large pool. To catch some beautiful views of t...
    Read more
  • Ojai, California

    Camp at Dennison Park in Ojai Valley

    Great little campsite very close to the town of Ojai.  My discovery of this gem was totally coincidental. I was trying to book a hotel room in Ojai; however, that particular weekend all the rooms that were within my budget were sold out. Instead of giving up, I looked for alternative options and ...
    Read more
  • Ojai, California

    Rose Valley Falls

    5.0
    0.68 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
  • Ojai, California

    Couch Rock

    3.5
    1.3 mi / 627 ft gain
    Driving up Gridley Road away from Ojai you’ll come upon a small parking lot on your left and a gate barring the way to a dirt road. Park here, as close to the mountainside as possible and head onto the trail.  Follow the trail until you see pass a bench, and start heading downhill. Keep your eye...
    Read more
  • Ojai, California

    Piedra Blanca Formations

    5.0
    5.41 mi / 860 ft gain
    These 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
  • Ojai, California

    Rock Climb at Foothill Crag

    2 mi
    From downtown Ojai, head north on N Signal Street. Head up the hill and turn left onto a gravel road next to a chainlink fence once you get to the top.(There should be a sign that points to "Pratt/Foothill Trailhead.") Continue past a water tank on the right to a trailhead parking area.  I've gon...
    Read more
  • Ojai, California

    Climb at Wheeler Gorge

    Grab a dozen quick draws, your 60m rope, and head up Highway 33 out of Ojai for 7 miles (One of the routes here describes the crag perfectly, a Riparian Daydream). Drive through one tunnel, and continue on for another mile or two until you reach two tunnels in quick succession. The crag is in bet...
    Read more
  • Malibu, California

    Balanced Rock via Sandstone Trailhead

    5.0
    4.36 mi / 1125 ft gain
    ...From the PCH, make a left turn on Yerba Buena road (turn right if you're coming South) for about 6 miles until you get to the dirt parking area. If the lot is full, there's extra parking on the side of the road. FYI, Balanced Rock can also be accessed by starting at the Mishe Mokwa trailhead,...
    Read more
  • Malibu, California

    Grotto Trail

    2.64 mi / 492 ft gain
    Who doesn't enjoy a hike that offers water, scenic views, boulder hopping and a subterranean cave? I know I do! The Grotto Trail begins at Circle X Ranch, which looks a bit like a small cowboy western store, and is approximately 6 miles from the Highway 1 (PCH). The parking is a tad tight, fittin...
    Read more
  • Ventura, California

    Bike the Sulphur Mountain Loop

    28.6 mi / 2884 ft gain
    The Sulphur Mountain Loop is a 28 mile cycling and mountain biking loop that begins in Ventura Canyon at the Sulphur Mountain Trailhead and loops through Ojai Valley. Beginning at the Sulphur Mountain Road trailhead off Highway 33, follow the road up and over Sulphur Mountain and down until it co...
    Read more
  • Ventura, California

    Bike the Ventura Promenade

    0.5 mi / 0 ft gain
    The Ventura Promenade is a .5 mile long biking and walking trail that runs from the Ventura Pier to Sufer's Point, eventually connecting to the Ventura River & Ojai Bike Trail. It is also part of the the larger "Omer Rains Trail" which runs some 3.5 miles to the south through Buenaventura Sta...
    Read more
  • Los Angeles, California

    Hike up Chatsworth Park North

    1 mi
    From the parking lot, make your way through the park until you reach the bottom of a hill filled with huge rocks and boulders. It is very hard to miss.From here, you can pick any trail you wish. They will all lead up to the top. There's a lot of rock scrambling involved, as well as boulder hoppin...
    Read more
  • Castaic, California

    Paddle Castaic Lake State Recreational Area

    6 mi
    Castaic Lake is a man made reservoir located 41 miles north of downtown Los Angeles, CA in the town of Castaic. Made up of two bodies of water, separated by a 425-foot dam, Upper and Lower Castaic Lakes have a combined 29 miles of shoreline forming the Castaic Lake State Recreational Area. The s...
    Read more
  • Los Angeles, California

    Stoney Point Park Loop

    4.0
    0.73 mi / 141 ft gain
    Once you've parked along Topanga Canyon Blvd, make your way down the street and start the trail off near the steel gate, close to the horse stables. As you make your way in, you will notice some rock climbers practicing on the lower elevation rocks. Make your way around this rocky park, counter-...
    Read more
  • Ventura, California

    Bike the Ventura, Santa Paula, and Ojai Loop

    48.8 mi / 2081 ft gain
    The Ventura - Ojai - Santa Paul loop is a classic half-century loop throughs some of the most beautiful cycling roads on the Central Coast. Beginning in Ventura and heading on the off-road (but paved) Ventura / Ojai trails, this loop then heads into downtown Ojai before following Ojai Valley Road...
    Read more