Best Hiking Area Ventura Near Me

4worldlovers: For Your Safety Arroyo Verde Park consists of 132 acres of relatively rugged land. A network of trails runs through natural coastal sage scrub habitat – a plant community that is rapidly disappearing in California. Arroyo Verde is home to many plants and animals. Very few of these pose a danger ; however, hikers exploring park trails need to exercise caution regarding mountain lions, rattlesnakes, ticks, and poisonous plants.

Mountain Lions Arroyo Verde Park borders open space that connects to mountain lion country. The chances of seeing moun- tain lions are slight because they generally have large territories, and are primarily nocturnal, solitary, and secretive. However, there is usually a report every year of a mountain lion sighting along the trails at the far end of Arroyo Verde Park. These large, powerful predators prey on deer and other wildlife, and play an important role in the ecosys- tem. Most mountain lions will avoid a confrontation and flee from humans. Mountain lion attacks on humans in the U.S. are rare; attacks that have occurred tended to target adults who were running or bending down, or unattended children. For your safety, stay alert, keep small children in sight at all times, and be sure that you and your children know what to do if you encounter a mountain lion: 1) Do not run! A mountain lion’s instinct is to chase a moving target. 2) Look as large as possible. Place your arms over your head, lift backpacks over your head, or open your jacket wide. Wave your arms slowly and speak firmly in a loud voice. 3) Small children: Put them behind you or directly in front of you so that they appear larger, or pick them up (without bending down). 4) Back away very slowly, and give the lion room to escape. 5) Do not turn your back. When hunting deer, mountain lions prefer to ambush their prey, often from behind, striking with a bite below the base of the skull. 6) Do not crouch down or bend over to pick up rocks or sticks (you will appear smaller, like a prey animal). 7) Fight back if attacked! Use anything you have – jacket, backpack, binoculars, cap, branches, even your fists. Self-defense efforts using items such as these have been successful in mountain lion attacks. The idea is to convince the mountain lion that you are not prey and that you may be a danger to it.

Rattlesnakes Arroyo Verde Park is home to the Southern Pacific Rattlesnake. Rattlesnakes are the only dangerously venomous native snakes in California. A rattlesnake will not strike unless startled or threatened. Rattlesnake bites are rarely fatal. However, if bitten seek medical treatment immediately. Keep victim calm and inactive to minimize circulation of blood. If possible, allow the bitten limb to rest at a level lower than the person’s heart. Do not apply a tourniquet. Do not cut or incise the bite site. If you see a rattlesnake on the trail, slowly move away

4worldlovers: THE PRESERVE'S UPPER CANYON, 1.5 MILES UP THE MAIN ROAD TO THE DOG TURNAROUND SIGN, REMAINS UNDER AN EXTENDED CLOSURE.


Harmon Canyon Preserve, established in 2020, is Ventura's first large-scale nature preserve. At 2,100 acres, visitors enjoy hills and canyons that feature oak groves, stream crossings, and breathtaking views of Southern California mountain ranges, coastlines, and Channel Islands National Park. This spectacular recreation destination offers miles of trails for hiking, biking, running, and exploring. Leashed dogs are allowed in Harmon Canyon Preserve.

Harmon Canyon Preserve is located at 7511 Foothill Road (map). Free parking is available at the preserve trailhead off of McVittie Place.

PLEASE NOTE when approaching Harmon Canyon Preserve eastbound on Foothill Road, there is NO LEFT TURN ONTO MCVITTIE PLACE. The intersection is signed with three "No left turn" signs so please follow the law and help us maintain a safe environment in this area. Ventura Land Trust is working with the City of Ventura and the Ventura Police Department to ensure that all traffic laws are enforced in this area.

To access the preserve, proceed east on Foothill Road, turn right on Kimball Road, and make a U-turn at the intersection of Kimball Road and El Dorado Street. Then proceed to the intersection with Foothill Road, turn left on Foothill Road, and then right onto McVittie Place.

You've heard of trail etiquette, but what about stream etiquette, and why is it so important at Harmon Canyon Preserve?

It is very unusual for the creek in Harmon Canyon to flow all winter, and that makes this a very special year. It is a pivotal time for resident aquatic organisms to complete their life cycle.


Aquatic insects, amphibians, and microorganisms that are foundational to the biodiversity of this riparian system, as well as seedlings that can only germinate and establish in the wettest of years, are crushed when people walk in the creek. Many of these life forms are too small to notice, but the impact is real.

An estimated 175,000 visitors came to Harmon Canyon Preserve in 2022. Because of this significant human presence, we must keep in mind that every footstep off-trail and into the creek channel has an impact on the plants and animals of the Preserve. Our cumulative impact could love a place like Harmon to death, if we aren't careful.

Conservation is VLT's top priority, and too much human presence in the creek corridor is a reason we may need to temporarily close the Preserve in order to protect this fragile and ephemeral resource.

Please help us keep the Preserve and all its wonders open to the community by crossing gently and admiring the flowing water from Harmon's road and trails. Thank you for your help!