Santa Rosa Valley Park Hill Canyon Open Space
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December 17, 2025
NOTE: The weather.com forecast in Camarillo is “Sunshine and clouds mixed. High 73F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.” (and a low of 50 degrees early in the morning)”
START TIME – We’ll meet at 8:00 AM in the Santa Rosa Valley Park, far parking lot (described below). Sunrise is at 6:56 AM
DESCRIPTION OF HIKE: Moderate 4.5 miles with about 884’ of elevation gain/loss. This hike begins at the Santa Rosa Valley Park in the Hill Canyon Open Space. The trail immediately crosses 25-foot-wide Arroyo Conejo Creek via a bridge; it then passes through grasslands, follows a seasonal stream through Hawk Canyon (a dense riparian woodland with poison oak), We then hiked along the Hill Canyon dirt road a short distance the Peninsula Loop Trail which we followed until it rejoined the Western Plateau dirt Road back to our vehicles.
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 TRAILHEAD FROM SIMI VALLEY – NOTE: You should be in the trailhead parking lot (see below) by 8:00 AM
o From Simi Valley, take Los Angeles Avenue west and then continue west (past the large Target store) as the name of the street changes to Tierra Rejada Road.
o Drive 3.9 miles (passing under Hwy 23) to Moorpark Road.
o Turn left (south) and drive 1.4 miles to Santa Rosa Road.
o Drive 0.3 mile to the Hwy 118 overpass.
o Turn right (west) and drive 3.7 miles to Hill Canyon Road.
o Turn left and drive a short distance to the entrance to Santa Rosa Valley Park (on the right) – DO NOT turn right and enter the park (unless you’re willing to pay the parking fee).
o INSTEAD: Park in the dirt parking area on the left (east) side of Hill Canyon Road opposite the park entrance and wait for the hiking leader(s).