21 Outdoors- Other to Explore in Ventura County

Checkout places to visit in Ventura County

Ventura County

Historically inhabited by the Chumash people, with their presence dating back 10,000-12,000 years. Known for their rock paintings and for their great basketry, the Chumash were hunter-gatherers, fishermen, and also traders with the Mojave, Yokuts, and Tongva Indians.

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Outdoors- Other to Explore in Ventura County

Arroyo Verde Park

Arroyo Verde Park is a beautiful and important natural preserve and recreational resource. The park consists of 132 acres of relatively rugged land - featuring 14 acres of tree lined open grass areas, individual picnic/barbecue sites, three group barbecue areas, a nature center, several miles of hiking trails, restrooms and two children's play areas.

Backbone Trail

The Backbone Trail is a long-distance trail extending 67.79 miles across the length of the Santa Monica Mountains in the U.S. state of California. Its western terminus is Point Mugu State Park, and its eastern terminus is Will Rogers State Historic Park in Pacific Palisades. The trail is open to hikers throughout its length. Dogs, mountain bicyclists and horseback riders are only allowed on portions of the trail as posted.

Big Sycamore Canyon

Sycamore Canyon is situated in the northernmost region of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area below the 3,000 feet peaks of the Boney Mountain State Wilderness Area. The canyon in the park is one of the riparian woodlands along the California coast. It contains a number of California sycamore trees. Big Sycamore Canyon Trail is a popular trail. The sycamore-lined canyon is close to numerous trailheads, including the Backbone Trail.

Chumash Wilderness

A 38,150 acres of Wilderness is situated in the Mt. Pinos Ranger District and is also near the town of Frazier Park. It includes Mt. Pinos which was an integral part of Chumash life and is still extremely important to the local Chumash residents. The vegetation is mainly pine forests in the northern portion and a combination of badlands and chaparral in the south. Hiking and camping are among the many recreational opportunities. Snow in the winter provides opportunities for winter recreation.

Conejo Valley

The Conejo Valley is a region spanning both southeastern Ventura County and northwestern Los Angeles County in Southern California, United States. Conejo Valley's two largest tourist attractions are the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley and the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.

Hungry Valley

Hungry Valley is a valley located along the northern border of Los Angeles and Ventura counties. it is an off-road vehicle recreation area administered by the California Department of Parks and Recreation. With over 130 mi of marked off-road trails across over 19,000 acres of protected land, Hungry Valley SVRA is the second largest vehicular recreation area in California.

Las Virgenes Canyon

The Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve is a large open space nature preserve owned and operated by the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy spanning nearly 3,000 acres. it is part of a critical ecological linkage and wildlife corridor between the Santa Monica Mountains and the ranges to the north. Hikers, runners, mountain bikers and equestrians enjoy miles of trails through rolling hills.

Los Padres National Forest

Los Padres National Forest is a United States national forest in southern and central California. The forest is approximately 1,950,000 acres in area, of which 1,762,400 acres or about 88% are public lands; the rest are privately owned inholdings.This is a very popular area for hiking, with 323 miles (520 km) of hiking trails and 11 campgrounds.

Los Robles Trail

Los Robles is a very long trail connecting Rancho Sierra Vista/ Satwiwa National Park in Newbury Park to Foothill Drive in Westlake Village.The trail spans several Open Space areas, listed at the top of this page. The Conejo Ridge Open Space is immediately north of the middle of the LRTE and forms an almost complete bowl. The trails here appear to be used mostly by equestrians who live nearby. There is awesome opportunities abound for hikers, bikers and equestrians to enjoy the open space.

Ojai Meadows Preserve

A beautiful reserve sprawled over 58-acres of lush wetlands and counts bobcats, rabbits, and over 40 bird species as residents. The project is actually a restoration led by a local conservation group, which runs environmental education programs and guided tours year-round. If you come on your own, there's an accessible trail that makes for a low-key, 30-minute hike.

Ojai Valley Inn

Ojai is a tourism destination known for its boutique hotels, recreation opportunities, hiking, and farmers' market of local organic agriculture. It has small businesses specializing in local and ecologically friendly art, design, and home improvement. Chain stores are prohibited by city ordinance to encourage local small business development and keep the town unique.

Point Mugu State Park

A beautiful state park located in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. It consists of distinct landside and beachside areas with different ecosystems and their own parking lots, separated by the Pacific Coast Highway. It comprises of oceanfront beaches, palisades, chaparral-covered mountains, two major canyons with seasonal rivers, grassy valleys highlighted with oaks, sycamores, and the occasional native walnuts trees.

Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa

Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa is a culturally significant place. This land served as a successful community for not only the Chumash culture, but also the plants and animals that live here. Students will explore Chumash culture and their reliance on native plants and animals.

San Buenaventura Mission

This is a Spanish mission founded by the Franciscans in present-day Ventura. It was the ninth Spanish mission established in California.

Sespe Wilderness

This is a 219,700-acre wilderness area in the eastern Topatopa Mountains and southern Sierra Pelona Mountains, within the Los Padres National Forest, in Ventura County. There are hiking trails, perennial and seasonal creeks, waterfalls, hot springs, rock formations, and designated campsites in the wilderness area.

Strathearn Historical Park

This is an open air park that is owned and maintained by the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District. It features changing exhibits about Simi Valley, and is the start for docent-led park tours. The interior of buildings can only be viewed during the docent-led tours. In addition to the Simi Adobe–Strathearn House, there are various historic buildings and structures that have been moved from their original site to the park, including the 1924 Montgomery children's playhouse.

Sycamore Cove Beach

This is a small, cute beach along the Pacific Coast Highway. It is a day-use area in Point Mugu State Park in southern Ventura County. The beach in Sycamore Cove is excellent, but the biggest draw to this spot is probably the adjacent campground with an extensive hiking trail network.

Tapo Canyon Regional Park

Tapo Canyon Regional Park is located in the midst of the rolling hills and canyons of the Santa Susana Mountains north of Simi Valley.Today, the park offers recreational activities as mountain biking, horseback-riding, hiking, as well as campgrounds, picnic areas, and sixteen RV camp hook ups. The elevation here goes up as far as 2300 feet, which offers great panoramic views along much of its hiking trails up on the hills.

The Ojai Vineyard Tasting Room

This is one of the famous wineyards in this area and The Ojai Beverage Company is a favorite option in town for local brews, as well as wine. This combination spirits shop meets wine bar features many beers on tap as well as daily wine and beer tastings. Lunch and dinner are served.

Ventura Pier

Formerly known as Ventura wharf is a wooden pier located on the Pacific Ocean in Ventura. The pier has been designated as Ventura Historic Landmark No. 20.

Map of Outdoors- Other to explore in Ventura County