big sycamore canyon hike

My two youngest love going on this hike. Great views. Apparently there is a loop you can take (for longer hike) or not take. I am sure they will be doing it again this summer.

I did this hike with my family many years ago. It's a great beginning, really LONG middle, and wonderful finish. However, halfway through it, you'll probably begin to think, "is it really that much further to the beach?" Wide, well marked and maintained trail. Nice shady rest spots. Bring water!

This trail has it all. Great views, beautiful flowers and an excellent workout - especially for those of us who don't hike as often as we should! The trials are well-maintained (at least the ones we've been on) and easy to navigate,

Sycamore Cyn and surrounding trails are great for hiking and mtn biking especially during non-peak hours. The variety of flora and fauna is incredible and changes from season to season. Check it out instead of paying a therapist.

Several great trails - either semi-flat in the canyon bottom - or more of a workout going up the side of the hill. Very pretty in the Spring..

I've hiked it and gone on bicycle. In both cases you can have someone pick you up at the beach. (to avoid round trip and having to go back up hill) Anywhere from 1 - 3 hours depending on your level of hiking. Beautiful back country, quiet. Easy hiking, but keep in mind the estimated 9 miles. Some times people will drive two cars to the beach in the morning and park a car with picnic supplies. Then they return to Thousand Oaks to take the hike. Beautiful to finish up and enjoy a great picnic at the beautiful beach! Parking can be around $8.00.

For hikers this is a beautiful experience. Open and beautiful and filled with critters ... be sure to wear sunscreen

Great trail for children to run free and experience nature away from the noise and stress of a city.

There are lots of areas to hike within the Sycamore Canyon. One of the most enjoyable is the long hike to the beach. You will need to stage this by leaving a car at the beach. (We take two cars to the beach, drop one off and then use the remaining car to go for a hardy breakfast in Camarillo and to go to the trailhead off Lynn Road in Thousand Oaks. I make sure I have a nice picnic lunch in a cooler in the car left at the beach to enjoy after the hike--plus some beach towels!) Some of the hike is on broad paved fireroad and the majority of the trail is wide so you can hike 2 abreast without problems. Going from the parking lot off Lynn Road, the trail is mainly downhill. It takes several hours and you will need to retrieve the car left at the trailhead so there is some logistics to this hike. Once or twice a year the City of Thousand Oaks offers this hike using a bus to bring hikers back from the beach to the trailhead parking lot so you don't need the second car. You do not want to do the reverse hike since you will be going uphill almost all the way. This is a fun hike for moderately healthy people and a great way to spend a day. Do avoid the hot summer months though and always bring water. It is especially nice in the spring when the wildflowers are in bloom and the hills are green. There are restrooms both at the trailhead and beach plus a porta-potty along the trail.

I prefer going down into the canyon from Portero Road entrance and walking down into the canyon. The walk to the Ranch is a good 3 hour hike. Bring water and wear good shoes. Your on a paved road the whole time so no bushwhacking. It is a beautiful walk and humbling as Boney Mountain stares down at you. This is not recommended for small children since the hike back up to Portero Road usually means your be carrying someone.