I really loved this National Park! Not too far from LA in Ventura and you have to take a ferry to…read moreget to it. Your America the Beautiful Pass does not work for the ferry. We went in January so the greenery was still that winter brown but it was not very busy which is nice. We decided to do a kayaking tour with the Santa Barbara Adventure Group so they booked our ferry times for us. Beware of the specific ferry times cause if you miss it your S.O.O.L After the kayaking tour we got to walk a little bit around parts of the island before heading to the ferry. On the way home on the ferry we say killer whales which was truly mesmerizing! One of the best things I've ever seen.

As part of our quest to visit all 63 U.S. national parks, we set off on a six-week road trip. I…read morehave a personal rule: I only count a national park as "visited" if I actually spend time there, hike or walk through it, and truly experience it. On this trip, we visited 14 national parks, and Channel Islands National Park was one of the most unique adventures. Unlike most national parks, getting there is part of the experience. There are no roads leading into the park, you have to take a ferry from Ventura across the Pacific Ocean. Just boarding the boat and watching the mainland disappear behind you makes the trip feel like an expedition to somewhere special. We visited Santa Cruz Island, the largest of the Channel Islands, and immediately understood why these islands are often called the "Galápagos of North America." Thousands of years of isolation have allowed unique plants and animals to evolve here, including the adorable island fox, found nowhere else on Earth. Seeing one of these tiny foxes wandering near the trails was an unexpected highlight. The hiking was beautiful, with dramatic coastal cliffs, sweeping ocean views, wildflowers, and peaceful trails. One of the things we appreciated most was the feeling of solitude. Unlike many of California's more famous parks, Channel Islands feels wonderfully wild and uncrowded. The absolute highlight of our visit, however, was kayaking through the sea caves. Paddling into enormous ocean caves carved by the Pacific was an unforgettable experience. The water changed from deep blue to brilliant turquoise as the sunlight reflected inside the caves, and every turn revealed another incredible rock formation. It was exciting, peaceful, and just a little adventurous all at once. It became one of the most memorable experiences of our entire six-week trip. Because there are no restaurants, hotels, or stores on the islands, you need to come prepared with food, water, and everything you'll need for the day. That lack of development is exactly what makes the park so special. It feels wild, protected, and beautifully untouched. Channel Islands National Park is unlike any other national park we have visited. Between the ferry ride, spectacular coastal scenery, abundant wildlife, wonderful hiking, and unforgettable sea cave kayaking, it was an experience we will never forget. If you're willing to plan ahead and make the journey across the water, you'll discover one of America's true hidden gems.

Dear Hubby and I took a drive out to Ventura for my birthday, which happened to be mid-week this…read moreyear. Big hooray - it was sunny; no fog in sight. It was on the coolish side, but the abundance of sunshine made it seem warmer. We had an early dinner down on Main Street. Where we parked there was a sign indicating that the eastern entrance to Grant Park was nearby. We had been up there perhaps only once in the past, and we'd gone in from the west. The drive up in the late afternoon / early evening had the golden glow magic to it. The light was amazing! I was driving and marveling at every twist and turn on the roadway while ascending the hills. The wildflowers and green groundcover from winter's rains made the scenery even more breathtaking than it might be when the grasses start to turn golden instead of green. I was able to drive all the way to the top parking lot, which overlooks the Serra Cross, and the entire Ventura coastline. The view encompasses the pier, the harbor, then beyond out to Channel Islands Harbor, Port Hueneme, and the western edge of the Santa Monica Mountains. It solidified my feelings in that moment of gratitude for enjoying life in Ventura County for the past 40 years. A gorgeous view on a clear day can do that for a person. When a sunny day happens, and the winds are calm, I can recommend taking a drive up to the top of Grant Park to make some of your daily cares seem very small. Looking down on the city / county from on high helped lift my spirits and added joy to my birthday celebrations.

**A Sacred Place**…read more This park is truly beautiful, with lush vegetation that delights the senses and creates a sense of quiet grandeur. A loved one first brought me here when I was about nine years old, and the memory has stayed with me ever since. Now that he's no longer with me, I find myself returning--not just to enjoy the scenery, but to remember the love he showed me by introducing me to places like this at such a young age. April is his birthday month, and I visited again just last week. I breathed in the scent of fresh lavender, sat in the sun over Easter weekend, and wandered the grounds at my own pace. Every moment of that solitude felt meaningful. Yes, this may sound a bit sentimental--but it really is that special. It's a beautiful place.

Beautiful views and worth the 7.25 mile round trip hike. It was about 2.45 h in and 2.5 h out…read more Plenty of arrows to help lead the way. If you can weather the whole hike up to the punch bowls, you won't regret it! Lots of maneuvering rocks and it can get sketchy at some times. But there are plenty of families and furry friends that take this hike so that should give you an idea about difficulty. Bring plenty of water and sunscreen and you will be fine. You might step in some water crossing a pond or two so bringing an extra pair of socks wouldn't be a bad idea either. Have fun and don't leave your trash behind!

DO NOT LET YOUR DOGS GET IN THE WATER AT THE START OF THE TRAIL!!!!! I'm not sure how it is further…read moreup, but we got in the water as soon as we could, and our three dogs immediately covered themselves in thick tarry oil. We had to rush to the nearest park bathroom and scrubbed them as much as we could, but it ruined a bunch of clothes and towels, and I'm worried for their health after watching them drink some of the water and try to lick themselves clean. There needs to be some sort of warning sign about the oil in the water.

It's beautiful especially right now with a the water. We weren't aware there were no dogs allowed…read moreso had to take turns walking down to take a look.

Perfect hike for toddlers to get "natured". About a fourth a mile from where we parked the car…read more Down the bike path. There's a spot to lock up your bikes. It's clean and well Maintained. No trash or graffiti. Just the birds and trees and water ... oh and a pair of beautiful ducks

Amazing hike! It is one of the easier hikes to access to the relaxing hot springs…read more Watch out for poison ivy! Totally worth it! Thank you to the BW Staff for providing me helpful tips. 10/10 will return.

The right amount of challenging for a beginner hiker like me with an amazing reward at the end if…read moreyou choose to do this trail. My only downfall is the smell of sulfur that takes some getting used to, but overall, the mini pools was something I have never experienced before. Parking is limited, there are free areas where you have to drive over a curb, but my car did fine with parking. The pools are the hottest at the top and gets cooler on the bottom. If you are curious to see if there were more pools past the top, there isn't as I asked those who ventured a little further. I definitely recommend this hike if you're thinking about it and it's a cool day. There was some incline that I wouldn't find enjoyable if it was any hotter. I'm pretty beginner at hiking and this took me a little longer than anticipated to get to the springs, but if you're an avid hiker you can probably get to the trail within 35-45 minutes! The trail is my favorite activity I've done in Santa Barbara so far!

Lovely trail system that is for hikers and mountain bikers in an urban setting. Getaway for an hour…read moreor two and enjoy nature. Do a loop with a climb up to a mountain view and back through the canyon studded with oaks and a running stream or stay on the flat and enjoy the birds and wildflowers. I found a 4.4 miles Loop that was very enjoyable and moderate. You can walk your dog the first 1.6 miles and there are bells provided for the mountain bikers to alert slow traffic that they are approaching. There's a portable potty with handwashing station and plenty of parking. Great location for a Serenity break!!

At last this park has reopened to the public! This park is heavily used by locals. The park offers…read moreextensive trails that are used by hikers and bikers. So keep your eyes open to traffic. Fortunately the bikers are pretty good communicators and use bells. The trails offer a combination of flat routes and switchbacks up hills. Something for everyone. The park is open , lacks trees, so best to hike here in the winter or early morning. We were fortunate in summertime to enjoy the trail under the clouds and mist! Also keep your eyes open to snakes. And stay in the trail as poisonous oak was present off the trail. At the trailhead there is a large parking lot. On Saturday the parking lot was filled by 1030, so best to come early if you want to secure a parking spot! Happy Trails!

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.

Beautiful trail within Lake casitas…read more This trail is relatively easy with about 5.7 miles (total) of beautiful scenery and some up and down small inclines. The single path makes it easy to follow without worrying of wondering off the trail and getting lost. The end of the trail rewards you with a beautiful view of the lake below. If you're lucky you'll get to see a deer or two crossing. Some cotton tail rabbits or see some of the birds of prey or Turkey vultures flying by. Good for running or walking and open year round, except when it's too muddy after rain. They try to preserve the trails. No bathrooms in the actual trail but at the beginning of the trail (where the large parking area is and a basketball court, too) they have restrooms that are kept up.