FRIDAY HIKING REVIEW...Paradise Falls/Wildwood Park, Thousand Oaks

Paradise Falls/Wildwood Park, Thousand Oaks

3 Stars
Highlights: Beautiful waterfall, view from top of Lizardhead, cave
Distance: 3 miles round trip
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail Condition: Good but trails aren’t clearly marked along Lizardhead trail

Summary: The hike to Paradise Falls is fairly simple and straightforward. I was actually here a few years ago on a weekend and I remember the waterfall was quite crowded. I went this time on a weekday and only saw 2 couples. Since the hike to Paradise was so easy (and short). I ventured on to the Lizardhead Trail. I wasn’t too impressed with this trail, a lot of it is walking next to a water treatment plant and it is mostly uphill on an unshaded path. The view from the peak is pretty amazing and peaceful though. I continued on to see the cave which Indians supposedly used and then took Indian Creek trail back up to the parking lot. That trail was very pretty, you are walking along a stream most of the time and there is another small waterfall at the top of it.



How to get there: From the Moorpark Freeway (23), exit on Avenida de Los Arboles and go west (a right turn if you are coming from Moorpark). Follow de Los Arboles until it ends at Big Sky Drive. Make a U-turn and the park entrance is on the right side of the road.

FRIDAY HIKING REVIEW...The Grotto, Malibu

Grotto Hike, Malibu

4 1/2 Stars
Highlights: The grotto, gorgeous views hiking
Distance: 3 miles round trip
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail Condition: Good but easy to lose the trail as you get closer to the grotto

Summary: I loved this hike, I went on a June gloom day so it was fairly foggy. It made it a little spooky since it was a weekday and I did not see another person hiking the whole time. The view was gorgeous over the Santa Monica Mountains. The grotto is really worth exploring, it is amazing to find something like this in nature. As you get closer to the grotto, the trail disappears at some parts and you find yourself clambering over boulders which is a lot of fun (but a little dangerous since you don't have cell phone service). I would def. like to go back on a weekend when there are more people around and explore the grotto more :). It's a little scary climbing to the bottom, you have to climb down steep rocks but its doable :)

How to get there: Circle X Ranch is 5½ miles from Pacific Coast Highway on Yerba Buena Road in Malibu. Alternately, from Westlake Village, exit on Westlake Blvd from the 101 Freeway, and follow it south for several miles as it merges with Mulholland highway. Turn right onto Little Sycamore Canyon and it will become Yerba Buena Road as you cross the county line. Proceed on Yerba Buena Road for about 5 miles to the Circle X Ranger Station on the left side of the road.