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    Tarantula Hill

    4.5 (8 reviews)

    Tarantula Hill Photos

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    Jenny S.

    This is a short hike, but don't let that fool you, it is VERY steep. A butt breaker, it will definitely get your blood pumping and have you really leaning into the climb. The trail is a paved narrow road that winds all the way up, so beware if your dog likes to chase rabbits, there are many and the drop is straight down. I have not see any of the famed residents yet, but if you are interested, free group dusk hikes are offered at specific times during the season to view and learn more about the tarantulas. You can usually find out about these on local FB groups like Conejo Valley Guide. The hill is also a great place to see: mammals, reptiles, other insects and a variety of plant life, including cacti and wildflowers, especially in the spring! Parking is along the shoulder of the road across from the botanical garden on sand and gravel. The trail is clearly marked with a sign. Once you reached the top you are able to enjoy a 360 degree view of the Conejo Valley and beyond!

    Trailhead sign
    Stan W.

    If you're looking for a short hike in the Thousand Oaks area then Tarantula Hill (aka Dawn's Peak) is a decent option. It's a bit steep but the short, 1/2 mile hike picks up 275ft in elevation change. The road/trail is paved and wide enough for one car but since it's gov't property only permitted vehicles are allowed. Once you get to the top (about a 15-20 minute walk) you'll have panoramic views of the Conejo Valley. There's one bench atop the hill for those who want to sit/relax and get a birds-eye view of the surrounding neighborhoods. Be cautious on hot days because there is virtually no shade except for the large oak tree at the bottom of the hill. Fortunately there is plenty of parking along the shoulder of Gainsborough although there is not anyplace to lock your bike. I have yet to see any tarantulas on Tarantula Hill although I've never been here in the Fall time. Tarantula Hill seems like a good option for those with minimal time but want to get outside and get some steps in.

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    7 months ago

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    5 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    12 years ago

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    10 years ago

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    CoBa Arch

    CoBa Arch

    5.0(2 reviews)
    5.6 mi

    Hikes with cool endings are always my favorite. This one definitely doesn't disappoint. It took me…read moretwo visits to figure out how to get here since there's not a lot of info on this one. It's about a 5-mile roundtrip hike. There's some tall brush that you'll have to walk through at the end so you may want to wear pants and wear hiking shoes. There are a number of different trails that can take take you here. I started from the trailhead located at the end of Falling Star Ave in Thousand Oaks. The trailhead is a little hidden. It's located off to the right at the end of a cul-de-sac. Make your way along the curvy Hidden Meadow Trail. You'll reach a fork where you will need to make a sharp right continuing uphill on Sandstone Hill Trail. After a decent incline, take a left at the fork and continue to head in an uphill direction. The trail eventually dead-ends at a power line transmission tower. From there you will see the arch high up on the mountain. You'll then probably say to yourself, fogettaboutit! But it's actually not as hard as it appears. There's a small path marked by a cairn. You will need to power your way up the hill. The trail is well-marked but really overgrown with tall dry brush. When you get to the top head left. The trail will lead you to the backside of the arch. Be sure to spend some time reading the short messages and view the various trinkets left by behind by people. Relax in the cool shade. Climb on top of the arch and appreciate the views. I really liked the inspirational message someone wrote. "Hope you find your peace and enjoy the beauty of your surroundings...Push through the pokey brush and trust your instincts carving a path."

    This is a difficult hike but worth it for the views. Lots cool rock features and several caves near…read moreby with cliffs that overlook the surrounding cities.

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    CoBa Arch
    CoBa Arch - Trail leading to the arch

    Trail leading to the arch

    CoBa Arch

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    Calabasas Hidden Stairs - On map: Calabasas Connector Trail.

    Calabasas Hidden Stairs

    4.8(99 reviews)
    13.1 mi

    This is certainly a must for folks who are outdoor fitness enthusiasts! My Camarillo resident high…read moreschool BFF found this place and it was a highlight of my SoCal visit to see her. We only went up and down once, but there were others using the stairs for training purposes. Maybe had the weather been a tad cooler, we would have dared a 2nd trip. Slightly off the freeway, past car dealerships, park and hike in. Parking appeared limited. Bring water!

    On February 15, 2026, the forecast called for outdoor adventure weather in the Valley, so we…read moredecided to hike to the CALABASAS HIDDEN STAIRS. At 10am, the landscape was vibrant green, the air was crisp, and the blue sky was scattered with cloud coverage to provide us with shade during the trek. The dirt trail was dry, not muddy. In some areas the width of the trail could only accommodate a single file lane, but it was still very pleasant hike to the hidden staircase. There are 9 flights of stairs, which comprise of 377 steps to the fence. Many people would climb the stairs multiple times! The round trip is about 1.3 miles, which took us about 45 minutes. Could be longer if you climb the stairs more than once, or connect to another trail such as the Bark Park trail. We did see a handful of dogs and their owners. This neighborhood trail can easily be a regular workout, especially in the Fall through Spring. I imagine it would be scorching hot in the summer. Stay observant...could be snakes and mountain lions in the area! Parking is available along the curb on Calabasas Rd.

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    Calabasas Hidden Stairs
    Calabasas Hidden Stairs - Top

    Top

    Calabasas Hidden Stairs

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    Satwiwa to Tri Peaks - Danielson Monument

    Satwiwa to Tri Peaks

    4.9(14 reviews)
    5.7 mi

    My friend brought me to this hiking spot and I was so grateful, it was lovely. I love that Satwiwa…read morehas many different hiking paths so that you can try different routes each time. This also helps to breakup the flow of hikers as you get more privacy with more routes. Satwiwa is great for beginners and intermediate hikers. There are plenty of pathways with low incline and even walkways. But if your feeling more adventuresome there were paths a little more rocky and the farther you go we could see major inclines. This hiking area appeared both bike and dog friendly. Not a lot of doggies when we came today but a few. Didn't see many dog walkway trashcans but the routes were clean and picked up after. We saw a lot of cyclists. Thankfully the major pathways are big enough for you to walk safely to the side and for people to ride down the middle on their bikes. I felt safe as you could see miles ahead and the walkways were busy (not crowded) but I never felt isolated. So if you like a more private trail maybe not for you but it was comfortable and I still felt out in nature. Beautiful sights of the hills and flowers, fresh air, and loads of walkways to travel. So glad my friend helped me find this spot and I can't wait to add this area to my regular weekend walks.

    Amazing park for hiking, definitely worth the drive. Great…read moreviews, pathways are not difficult or dangerous, not many people (during the week) Will be returning soon and enjoying the outdoors.

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    Satwiwa to Tri Peaks
    Satwiwa to Tri Peaks - On top Of the Peaks.

    On top Of the Peaks.

    Satwiwa to Tri Peaks - Trail Map

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    Trail Map

    Tarantula Hill - hiking - Updated October 2026

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