If you’re looking to escape into nature without venturing too far from Thousand Oaks or Westlake Village, you’re in luck. The region is surrounded by open space, hills, creeks, and trails that offer a refreshing break from urban life. Below is a guide to some of the best nature getaways in the area — from easy day trips to more immersive weekend options.
Why This Area Is a Great Base for Nature Escapes
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Diverse terrain — You’ll find oak woodlands, riparian corridors, chaparral, canyon walls, and seasonal streams all within an hour or two.
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Lots of trail networks — Many protected open-space areas are interconnected, so you can string together hikes and explore deeper corridors.
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Close enough for spur-of-the-moment escapes — Many of these spots can be visited in a half-day or full day, which means you can hit up nature without committing to a long drive.
Top Nature Getaways Near Thousand Oaks & Westlake Village
Here’s a roundup of parks, hiking trails, and escapes worth exploring. I’ve roughly organized them from closest to a bit farther out (but still doable).
1. Wildwood Regional Park & Paradise Falls (Thousand Oaks)
This is perhaps the “local classic” escape. Drive 5–15 minutes depending on where you are in Thousand Oaks or Westlake.
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What you’ll see & do: Over 27 miles of hiking trails, creeks, rock outcroppings, and the highlight—Paradise Falls, a ~70-foot waterfall that drops into a pool.
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Trail tips: One popular route is via the Mesa → Tepee → Moonridge trails to hit the falls and then loop back via Wildwood Canyon.
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Note: Swimming is usually prohibited in the falls area (for safety and preservation reasons).
This is a perfect option for a morning or afternoon hike close to home.
2. Triunfo / Pentachaeta Trails & Open Space (Westlake Village area)
These are less well-known, but they offer quiet trails in the hills above Westlake.
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Pentachaeta Trail to Dean’s / Lobo Ridge loop — ~3.9 miles, moderate difficulty, good views.
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Chesebro Canyon, Wishbone Trail, Malibu Creek State Park trails — the City of Westlake lists these among its local trail options.
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Malibu Creek State Park — a bit farther, but still close. This park gives you streamside walking, oak-sycamore woodlands, and chaparral slopes.
If you live in or around Westlake, these are great for shorter nature breaks.
3. Lake Eleanor / Lake Eleanor Open Space
This is a hidden gem less talked about but quite special.
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What it is: A small artificial lake behind Banning Dam, set in a gorge with cliffs around 40 ft high.
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The surrounding Lake Eleanor Open Space provides scenic walks and vantage points overlooking the gorge and water.
It’s a peaceful spot to unwind, especially in the off-peak hours.
4. Malibu Creek State Park & the Santa Monica Mountains
If you’re up for a slightly longer drive (20–40 minutes, depending on traffic), this area is a classic for SoCal nature lovers.
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Why go: It offers more expansive wilderness, creekbeds, rock pools, oak woodlands, and a network of longer trails.
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Notable routes & spots: Century Lake (often associated with the “MAS*H” filming location) is one such favorite.
You can turn this into a fuller day trip: hike, picnic by rock pools, explore deeper canyon trails.
5. Public Campgrounds & Forest Escapes (for overnight or multi-day)
If you want to make your getaway overnight, consider forest campgrounds a bit further out:
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Oak Flat Campground and Rose Valley Campground (Los Padres National Forest) are among the public forested camping options listed near the Thousand Oaks region.
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Malibu Creek Campground is also listed, offering a base to explore Malibu Creek State Park trails.
These let you slow down, stargaze, and enjoy a deeper nature immersion.
Itinerary Ideas & Tips
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Half-day refresher: Start at Wildwood, hike to Paradise Falls, then stroll around Lake Eleanor on your way home.
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Full day nature loop: Westlake → Triunfo / Pentachaeta in the morning, then head out to Malibu Creek in the afternoon, ending with a gentle walk at Lake Eleanor.
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Overnight escape: Reserve one of the forest campgrounds, and spend two days exploring trails in Los Padres or Malibu Creek.
Some extra pointers:
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Always bring water, sunscreen, and layers — conditions can shift quickly in canyon environments.
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Go early if possible (before 9 am) to beat the heat and crowds.
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Leave no trace: pack out what you bring in, stay on designated trails, and respect signage (especially around fragile creek or waterfall areas).
Happy Hiking! Bring the dog!
