The Hike To Paradise Falls In Southern California Is Just Over 2 Miles In Length And It’s Worth Every Step
By Natasha Kayes|Published May 02, 2024
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Natasha Kayes
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I was born and raised in sunny Southern California and will never tire of the West Coast, although I spent several years living in Southeast Asia, about as far from California as you can get. Wherever I am in the world, I love straying from the beaten path, experiencing local life, and discovering hidden gems - camera in hand. The beach is my happy place and when I am not there (or writing), you will usually find me baking, watching movies, and cuddling my pugs. I have traveled around the country and around the world, and it never, ever gets old. Being able to combine my passion for travel and my love of writing is nothing short of a dream.
If you have yet to experience some of the amazing waterfalls in Southern California, you may not even realize how many we have and how accessible some of them actually are. From challenging treks to short and easy trails, this part of the state has something for everyone. I love nature and the idea of hiking, but am far from a serious hiker, which makes the easy Mesa Trail to one of the best waterfalls in Thousand Oaks, CA, so appealing. Check it out:
Paradise Falls is a stunning feature within Ventura County’s Wildwood Canyon Regional Park. This suburban park at the base of the San Bernardino Mountains feels like a grand wilderness right in the middle of town, making it an easy day trip destination.
Exploring the park, you will find beautiful live oaks, pretty grasslands, rugged mountains, wildflowers, scenic valleys, and plenty of vista points to take it all in… and of course, a lovely waterfall.
This is a popular hiking area, especially on weekends, but is less busy on weekdays. With other hikers and bikers usually on the trails, solo adventurers tend to feel the same and comfortable hitting the trail on their own.
There are several trails that branch off through the park, including one that leads to a cool little cave, and there is more than one way to reach the falls. The family-friendly Mesa Trail leads first to a large wooden teepee at about the halfway point, then it’s less than half a mile to reach the waterfall.
There are some concrete benches under the teepee, which makes it a great spot to take a little break (especially if you are hiking with little ones), eat a snack, and just enjoy the scenery.
The trail is clearly marked, well-maintained and, aside from the stairs that lead down to the base of the falls, is mostly level with just a few little hills. Pets are welcome to join you on the hike, but keep them on a leash and be sure to pick up after them.
This particular trail is just about two miles out and back and can be easily completed in an hour or two, depending on whether you take time to sit and enjoy the waterfall, or explore the area around it.
The beautiful waterfall is especially full after recent rain but is lovely year-round. The large rocks and shady areas surrounding the falls are perfect for sitting and cooling off on a warm day.
Note that swimming is not allowed (or safe) due to submerged objects and a lot of the water being from urban runoff.
There are picnic areas scattered throughout the park, so many families pack a lunch and spend the day exploring the park and one of the best waterfalls in Thousand Oaks, CA. Have you ever visited Paradise Falls? We’d love to hear your thoughts! You can find more photos, trail conditions, alerts, and more by visiting the Wildwood Regional Park Facebook page. Are you an avid adventurer? Make sure you check out some of our favorite must-have hiking accessories!
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