One of Thousand Oaks’ most popular areas, the Santa Rosa Loop (with the Mesa and Box Canyon trails) in Wildwood Park is a beautiful trek with panoramic views and a variety of cacti-filled desert landscapes.
The Santa Rosa Loop trail (combining Mesa Trail and Box Canyon Trail) is roughly 6.3 miles and is considered easy to moderate. The ascent on this trail is very gradual, and aside from the frequent desert heat of southern California, it’s relatively easy. It took us about 3 hours with a few stops to hydrate and take some pictures of the scenic landscapes. Dogs can join this hike, although keep a lookout for cacti encroaching on the trail.
Note that we did this hike counterclockwise. First, we went across Mesa Trail and then took Box Canyon Trail down. We then wrapped up around the mountain via the Santa Rosa Loop. Others choose to do the uphill right away towards the view and then descend the majority of the hike.
Details:
Directions (Google Maps): To get to the Santa Rosa Loop trail, search for the Wildwood Regional Park Thousand Oaks, California or click here.
Directions (old school maps): From Highway 101, get off and go north on Lynn Road. Go 2.5 miles and turn left on Avenida Del Los Arboles. Go for another mile and as you cut through residential areas you’ll see a large parking lot on your left before the road breaks right.
Driving Info: It’s an easy paved drive the entire route.
Time & Weather: We did this hike in January so we enjoyed the cooler southern California weather. This can get very hot during the summer. There is also very limited shade so you’re in the sun essentially the entire time.
Gear: Nothing special required on this hike, but keep in mind some of the trail gets tight with cacti sprawling.
Trail Navigation: There’s a few junctions for this trail, but otherwise it’s a wide and easy trail to follow. You will go into some residential farm areas that feels like you’re off trail, but you continue on to complete the loop.
Water & Food: Bring enough water and maybe a snack. In the warmer months it gets hot so stay hydrated.
Trailhead Info: This is a large parking lot, and this is also a very popular park. Lots of mountain bikers and walkers as well, so expect a bit of people. Once you’re in the park it’s easier to feel spread out.
Pictures of the Santa Rosa Loop Trail:
The first part of this trail is shared by almost everyone in the park. But it’s nice and wide and full of panoramic views.
Looking to the right you hike beneath the protruding rock hills.
The view as you descend into Box Canyon.
Walking amongst some beautiful farms and ranches.
Here’s the trail that hugs the left side of the hills.
The bending path as you ascend up the side of the hills.
The trail is tighter in this section but the green hills are spectacular in the deserts of southern California.
As you approach the highest points of the mountain, you can look back for stellar panoramic views of t
Gorgeous paths that wind around the hills, with views of the Santa Monica Mountains in the distance.
Once you descend back towards the trailhead the path gets tight and is littered with sprawling cacti. This will be your initial ascent if you do this hike clockwise.
