Dawn Peak (Tarantula Hill) and the Conejo Valley Botanic Garden
DESCRIPTION OF HIKE: Moderate 4 miles with 702′ elevation gain/loss.
Our hike will start the Conejo Community Park parking lot off of Jeaunine Dr.
We will hike north and cross Gainsborough Rd. then hike 249ft. elev. change and 0.5 miles to the top of Dawn Peak (Tarantula Hill). Then backtrack to Cornejo Community Park and enter the Botanic Gardens there. We will hike a wooded passage that leads to a creak, then cuts upward eventually leading to the top of the gardens. After viewing the many species of native and nonnative plants and flowers, we will continue along various paths to wind our way down to the Community Park and parking lot where we parked.
PREPAREDNESS: Bring 2-3 liters/quarts of water (or other suitable liquid) and lunch/snack. Wear appropriate footwear (preferably hiking boots) and be prepared for bright sunlight (sunglasses), heat (layers of clothing), and/or precipitation (rain gear). Hiking pole(s) and a camera might come in handy.
DIRECTIONS TO THE BEGINNING POINT OF THE HIKE IN THE PARKING LOT AT THE END OF JEAUNINE DR. – NOTE: You should be at the location described below by 8:00 AM.
- Reference Conejo Valley Botanic Garden 400 W Gainsborough Rd. Thousand oaks, CA
- Take Highway 23 South, and exit at Janss Rd. East. (0.3 miles.)
- Turn right onto Janss Rd. (0.8 miles.)
- Turn left onto Warwick Ave. (0.3)
- Turn right onto E Gainsborough Rd. (0.8 miles.)
- Turn left onto Jeaunine Dr. (217 ft.)
- Turn left into the Conejo Community Park parking lot.
- Park and wait for the hiking leader(s).