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    North Fork Matilija Creek Trail

    4.6 (5 reviews)

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    Rainbow U.

    This is a great trailhead, and leads to many choices for the adventurous or less adventurous as you may choose. Serenity can be encountered here, in this creek-blessed valley featuring Oaks, Cottonwood, Chaparral, Manzanita, Yucca, Wild Poppies, Lupine, Sticky Monkey Flower (Mimulus aurantiacus), Palmer's Indian Mallow, Indian Paintbrush, wild wheat, Purple Sage, White Sage, Fiddleneck (Phacelia Tanacetifolia), foxtail grass. I frequent the trails with hiking companions, and see occasional kind locals as well, some with dogs on leashes in the morning. Less adventurous, or with less rugged shoes: walk politely through the trail easement at the Historical property, proceed along the fire road. Trails lead off to the right (to the falls) and to the left (creek crossings and gentle meandering single track trails). A simple 5-mile, fire road hike leads straight onward to a fork in the road, take the left fork and proceed up the fire road that leads up the mountainside. As wind permits, you may hear the stream's babble from below on your left. Some Manzanita and Oak have survived the flames, and the wildflowers have burst back. I see a negative review below from someone who saw alot of poison oak. I assure you, as the tragic Thomas fires have wiped clean the canyon, there is little fear of poison oak now, even on one of the meandering side trails to the campgrounds, which the unfortunate reviewer must have taken, alas for him! May it go more pleasantly for you, dear hiker.

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    5 years ago

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    6 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    Willett Hot Springs - One of the cabins

    Willett Hot Springs

    3.9(8 reviews)
    4.8 mi

    Came here on dry New Year's eve 2 years ago. Wasn't Sespe hot springs, but still a nice experience…read moreon the way to them; nice half way point too.

    So a friend emailed me last week saying he was planning an overnight backpacking trip in the Sespe…read moreWilderness to Willett Hot Springs and asked if I wanted to join on the trek. Heck yes! I had a week to research and read up about the area, and I was poking around online I felt there was no detailed directions of the trail to the hot springs, just a few nondescript write ups and summaries here and there. So this review, I hope will help others find the hot spring easier since we got lost for over an hour in rain.... Backpacked 11/2/15-11/3/15 Miles: 20 miles out and back Time took: 30 hours (we overnighted it) elevation gain: less than 400 ft Adventure Pass needed Water: there were 2-3 spots to filter water Directions: on Google maps, type in Piedra Blanca Trailhead. Piedra Blanca Trailhead and Sespe River Trail start at the same parking lot, so it pulls up and you can use the app when you loose cell service. We came from LA, so we ended up taking the 33N to Rose Valley Rd, this area is considered Ventura County Trailhead: Adventure pass is needed to park here. There are pit toilets, when I went they also had toilet paper and weren't too dirty. There's some informational sign around here talking about the local animals you can find, a trail map, and some shaded picnic benches where you can have a nice picnic. The hike: we started at 9:45 AM Monday morning, the first 2-3 miles in the trail was dry with no sight on water. Do not be discouraged, right around 2-3 miles, we didn't spot it right away, but when we hiked further up, we spotted a pool of water off the trail. So if it had been necessary, we would have gone off trail to that water source. But at 3 miles in, I heard running water. We hiked off trail and found the source and actually filtered at this spot. It's a nondescript spot, you just have to keep alert of the sound of running water. Going to this spot was unnecessary though, if you know the trail well, you know that Bear Canyon Campground is right around the corner at 3.5 miles in and there is a spring fed pond here with moving water that is easier to filter at. We talked to a guy here and he said there seems to always be water here and it's a good swimming hole. The trail is decently well beaten and well marked. About 8 miles in you will come upon a big metal trail sign. It's faded and kind of hard to read, but points you in the direction of Ladybug Campground and Hines Peak. Scratched into the sign it says Willett and tell you to stay on the trail you are at. Shortly after that sign, keep a look out for the trail sign on the right. We actually got lost here and walked past it. If you walked past it and come to a camp spot with a fire circle and shovel, you've come too far. We scrambled in the river wash for a while here having lost the trail. Back track and find that small trail sign, it makes you cross the river wash here. Once you cross the river wash, the trail keeps going. look for a fork in the trail and go left. It's a pretty small fork, we put up cairns here the other day, but it is easy to miss. We got lost here too and had to keep backtracking. You cross a swampy area right here. Right when you cross and get to the other side, you will shortly come across the house/shack/a fenced area. Woohoo! You are almost there! Go past that house. With the house behind you, you will see a stone stack/chimney, take the trail above and to the right of it. From there, it's an upward climb, but you're only a few hundred yards away from the Willett Hot Spring tub. You will first come across a small camp spot here. There was a fire ring here the other day. Go past that, and into the foresty area and go up. There you will find the tub, wedged into the crevice of the mountain. Tips: bring a water filter. Depending on time of year, be prepared for rain. Bring sandals if you don't want to go barefoot in the tub, and a towel to dry off. Don't give up. We soaked in the hot spring for a good hour Tuesday morning and had the place all to ourselves. Temp we would guess was around 108 degrees. There are scrubs left there to scrub some of the sliminess. I didn't care, I got right in. Good luck!

    Photos
    Willett Hot Springs - Beginning of the trail from trailhead

    Beginning of the trail from trailhead

    Willett Hot Springs
    Willett Hot Springs - A view of Sespe Creek from the trail to Willett Hot Springs

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    A view of Sespe Creek from the trail to Willett Hot Springs

    Ojai Valley Land Conservancy

    Ojai Valley Land Conservancy

    4.9(7 reviews)
    4.0 mi

    My husband Matt B. and I spent our twelfth anniversary in Ojai, away from our kids and dogs. We…read morewoke up from an uninterrupted night of sleep with no one to take care of, and used that surplus of time and energy for a morning hike at the Valley View Preserve. I'm a reluctant hiker, but I admit that it can be nice to go outside, especially if it makes your husband happy. This was a lovely hike, scenic and mostly relaxing. We didn't go as far as we could have, but we made it pretty deep, hiking at a leisurely pace for a little under two hours. It was peaceful, with great views, and we got ideal weather. A very Southern California paradise kind of morning. The trail was rocky and sometimes slippery, so I'd recommend hiking shoes if you have them. I wore my regular sneakers and almost slid to my demise a couple times. It would've looked bad for Matt if I'd died in a hiking accident on our anniversary. My friends would've been like, "Steph doesn't even hike." I'm glad we visited the Valley View Preserve and would recommend it to anyone looking to enjoy some outdoor time in Ojai. The trails are easy enough for a novice level hiker. Just bring water and good shoes and maybe a spouse who doesn't want to kill you.

    The hiking trail is located near the end of signal road, and make sure you don't park at permitted…read moreresidential area. I've learnt that Ojai Valley Land Conservancy has protected open space through direct ownership and conservation agreements, and found the hiking very rewarding with specular valley view.

    Photos
    Ojai Valley Land Conservancy
    Ojai Valley Land Conservancy
    Ojai Valley Land Conservancy

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    Ojai Meadows Preserve Trail - Pond

    Ojai Meadows Preserve Trail

    4.6(12 reviews)
    3.9 mi

    We had an hour to kill in Ojai and decided to bike to the Ojai Meadows Preserve. It was the last…read moremorning of a relaxing weekend, and this was a great, easy activity--a scenic walk on level terrain. The weather was fine, the sky blue, the land around us green and gold. The trail was so smooth and flat I wouldn't even call it a hike, really just a leisurely stroll with pretty Southern California views. At some point, we strayed from the preserve onto the Ojai Saddle Trails, on Krishnamurti Foundation of America land. It all felt of a piece, though, with the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy managing the Saddle Trails. I'd recommend the Ojai Meadows Preserve, especially if you're looking for an outdoor activity with low physical demands. It's a lovely, peaceful place, ideal for a quiet morning.

    This is a nice little getaway spot that you can walk around and enjoy the nature and outdoors…read more It's not too far from the downtown of Ojai. Parking is a little tricky. There's striped lines in front of the meadows on the main street that's designated for parking. It looks like you can't park there but you can. The park itself is wonderful. Beautiful walk in the park as they say. We even saw a little gopher. The further you go inside you are greeted with beautiful flowers and wildlife. The park itself looks like a loop so you end up back where you park. Definitely a nice bit of outdoor life.

    Photos
    Ojai Meadows Preserve Trail - Views

    Views

    Ojai Meadows Preserve Trail - View from trail

    View from trail

    Ojai Meadows Preserve Trail - Lizard basking on fence

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    Lizard basking on fence

    Ojai Valley Trail

    Ojai Valley Trail

    4.2(6 reviews)
    4.6 mi

    We went to Ojai for our twelfth anniversary and took a romantic bike ride on the Ojai Valley Trail…read more And by romantic, I mean that Matt B. is 42, and his mid-life crisis has taken the form of an intense interest in biking and hiking and other forms of being outside, and no matter how sedentary I am in my natural state, I can't risk him leaving me for a 26-year-old with a more active lifestyle. So we borrowed bikes from our hotel and set off on a ride: him with his year's worth of cyclist muscle, me with traumatic memories of huffing and puffing behind him in Copenhagen, senior citizens passing me easily on every street. The trail runs nine miles, from Ojai to Ventura. We only did part of it, turning around at Mira Monte, for fear that I might break on our way back. The way there was so pleasant and easy that I got flashbacks to a bike ride I took nine years ago with my monstrously fit friend Melissa K., from Santa Monica to Venice. I called Matt from the beach, surprised at how pleasant I'd found the ride, only to have him tell me, ominously, that the path to the beach went downhill. I barely made it back to Santa Monica, and I was only 30 then. To my relief and astonishment, the Ojai Valley Trail was different. Maybe it was the smooth, well maintained pavement, or a bit of Ojai magic, a little push from the universe for the health of our marriage. While the ride was occasionally challenging, there were nice places to stop and sit, and the trail seemed to be 90% flat or downhill both ways. It was also extremely pretty, scenic and peaceful, a perfect way to spend a temperate September afternoon. If you are at all capable of riding a bike, I'd strongly encourage you to check out the Ojai Valley Trail. It's a beautiful way to experience Southern California, and I promise it requires only the lowest level of fitness.

    Ojai Valley Trail-Ventura Trail A bucket list to do since…read morefirst learning of it. It was so much fun if not humbling. I am an older back of the pack athlete but felt confident going in since elevation isn't too high(approx 800 ft). We set off on our bikes two miles west of Ojai and it was all fun and games going to Ventura as we rode through beautiful oak canopies, flew up and mostly down past meadows of mustard flowers and CA poppies; petroleum fields; beautiful home gardens; steel framed wooden bridges; and sections of Highway 33. A wonderfully cloudy day made it so much more enjoyable. We got off at Main Street only to realize I had punctured my tire so we walked our bikes over to the pedestrian promenade in Downtown Ventura to look for a bite to eat and locate a repair shop. Once we enjoyed our wonderful breakfast at Immigrant Son Cafe we walked our bikes with the idea of going to Bicycle Hub to unexpectedly findi Shigy's Bike who replaced my destroyed tire in 5min($54)! We were back in action now, fed, caffeinated and sporting a brand new front tire. We rode past amazing murals to head back toward Ojai. That coffee and carb loading prepped me well but it couldn't spare me the effort it took me to go up those small inclines and the slope of the Ojai Valley. I raced against my fitness and the clock as I tried to get us to Oak Creek Winery before last pour(4:30), but my body couldn't pull off this miracle plus I later learned there isn't bike-friendly access to this winery from the trail as I originally thought( hint hint). A must try for biking enthusiasts of all levels (I saw many e-bikes on trail even though signage states no motorized bikes should be on it).

    Photos
    Ojai Valley Trail
    Ojai Valley Trail
    Ojai Valley Trail

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    Nordhoff Ridge Road

    Nordhoff Ridge Road

    5.0(4 reviews)
    5.2 mi

    Ventura County has a few Landmarks. Two Trees, the San BuenaVentura Mission and the Ventura Pier to…read morename a few. One the most distinguished is the looming mountain range visible from all points north of the Grade, known as the Topa Topa Bluffs. The granite cliffs mark pronounced diagonal etches across the mountains face. Often when one thinks of going to the mountains, these are the mountains one had in mind. Usually when venturing into the Los Padres National Forest the highest Mecca available is Reyes Peak atop Pine Mountain road, and that is where we often end up. Indeed Reyes Peak is a sight to behold, and arguably one of the best campsites in the tri counties. But to truly reach "those mountains" the Topa Topa Bluffs, you have to do your homework. You cannot simply drive up the "33" and get there like you can with Reyes Peak. Access is available by permit only, through the Ojai Ranger station. The road to the bluffs is OHV access only; therefore a locked gate bars access from the general public. The ranger district only allows 15 vehicles up per day. Unbelievably, after roaming these mountains for decades, I had never been to the Bluffs. But a year ago, I did some research and found the way to get to the Bluffs. Once I had my permit, and access code, I headed into the forest. Arriving at the gate, I felt like a kid with a backstage pass to Disneyland. As I unlocked the gate, headed thru and locked from behind, I felt the puzzled stares from other less fortunate campers. They didn't have access! Huahhhh...Hauuhhhh! Only I did, I alone had domain over this sacred land! Sorry, back to reality. I engaged four wheel drive, and proceeded to tear up the road. There are miles and miles of off road travel to be enjoyed, steep ascents, and uneven road abound. Off the main road it splits to the left or right. To the right the road leads to a old fire watchtower. Convivebly you could camp here, but there is one site with a fire ring and bench a few miles before you get to the tower. Taking the road to the left your journey hugs the mountain edge then dips into the valley for unspoiled views of Pierda Blancas, and Rose Valley Lake. Once on the mountain edge the road ends at a trail head that will take you directly to the Topa Topa Bluffs. A mile before the road ends there is the one singular campsite. From the site, you have clear views of the Oxnard Plain, the Ojai Valley, and the Bluffs themselves, so close you can make out the diagonal ruts visible form the city. On May 23rd 2008 I visited the Bluffs for the second time. The weather did not cooperate and while we did stay the night, the temperature stayed at an icy 36f degree. Visibility was only 15-20 feet, so we did not get the views I have loved. I cannot wait to return. The solitude of the place inspires meditation, with only 2 campsites off the entire road, you can be assured privacy and silence. Just you and the bluffs.

    Great views. We climbed up the Pratt Trail which gave us great views all the way up. Be sure to…read morelook for the geological stamp while you are up there . Views are spectacular. You can see the Channel Islands and Topa Topa on a clear day. Breath taking. We took the Gridley back and that was a nice and less steep trail back down.

    Photos
    Nordhoff Ridge Road
    Nordhoff Ridge Road
    Nordhoff Ridge Road

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    North Fork Matilija Creek Trail - hiking - Updated May 2026

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