Hiking Plus

4.6 miles, 1000' gain, Easy Intermediate
Easier Option - 2.7 miles, 320' gain

Many have gotten lost relying on GPS. This is the Wendy Trailhead, where S. Wendy Dr. ends at Potrero Rd.

Heading out, we cross a creek, turn right at the split, then Turn right at the dead end. We regroup at the visitor center, where there will be bathrooms.

We cross the wooden bridge and go left at the asphalt path.

After 1/3 mile, those that want the easier path turn left, go 0.4 miles and turn right at the dead end. After 500', wait at the bench for the rest of the group (45 - 60 min).

The rest will continue down for 3/4 mile. There will be a porta-potty and picnic table. We'll regroup, then turn left and go about 1.3 miles and another 435' of gain before turning left and heading up about 1/2 mile.

At the top, we'll head left for 500' and arrive at a bench and overlook. We'll share snacks and beverages for 30-60 minutes, then head down 500', turn right at the junction, and return to our cars.

If you wish to return before the social event completes, study the map so you can find your way back.

The Route
Hike Distance: 4.6 mi / 2.7 mi
Gain: 1000' / 320'
Distribution: Most of the incline is concentrated in the middle of this hike.
Difficulty: Easy Intermediate / Fit beginner
Shape: Lollipop.
Pace: approx. 2.0 mph.
Trail Type: Fire road, double track, single track.
Duration: 3.5 hours
Dogs: We pass a "no dogs" sign.
Restrooms: Yes
Drinking Fountains: No.
Parking: Free along street.
What to bring: 1 liter of water for every 3 miles.
Hiking shoes/boots. Not required, but recommended.
Flashlight or headlamp. Sunscreen and/or hat as needed.
Snacks and/or beverages to share

Hosting Route: The host knows the route.
Navigation: Host memory, enhanced by GPS navigation as needed.
Hike type: Social. We won't be hiking at a fast pace because this is a social hike, not a conditioning hike.

Stops: The host may designate stopping points to let others catch up. This hike will include an extended stop for a snack and beverage share at the half way point. We will stop at junctions to make sure everybody makes any turns or chooses the correct direction at splits, else something will be used to mark the direction, usually an arrow made of baking soda or sticks.

Group separation: Hikers moving significantly ahead or not waiting at designated stopping points are on their own regarding route and navigation.

Interesting Notes
Here are a couple plants you will see on this hike:

Heartleaf Penstemon
Leaves are shiny and saw toothed, shaped like hearts, 2 to 6 centimeters long and arranged oppositely on the branches. Stems are red. Small scarlet red tubular flowers.

Yucca
White flowers on stalk. Stalk is often missing, leaving only the spires from which it grows. Stalks are very strong and light, so they make good walking sticks. Needles on end of spires. Chopped up root can be uses as shampoo. Roasted root can be eaten like a potato. Illegal to remove live stick in CA. Pronounced with short u. Dried leaves make good tinder.

Root can be chopped up and used as soap. To eat root, remove skin and core, boil 15 minutes. Then fry or bake. Flowers are mildly sweet. The fruit is also edible, but bitter if not ripe. To access fibers: Soak for a month in water, lightly pound leaves with rock or club, or scrape skin off skin. Roll between hands, then pull and separate fibers. Weave into cordage.

Directions:
Wendy Trail Head
4128 Potrero Rd
Thousand Oaks, CA 91361
Coordinates of trailhead: 34.154507, -118.950095

From CA-118:
CA-118 west for 8 miles.
CA-23 south for 7.4 miles.
US-101 North for 2 miles.
Exit 45 Lynn Rd. and south/west for 2.5 miles.
Left on S. Wendy Dr. for 0.6 miles until it dead ends at Potrero Rd.
Park on Potrero.

From US-101 north/west of Wendy:
US-101 south, exit Wendy Dr.
South on Wendy Dr. for 3 miles until it dead ends at Potrero Rd.
Park on Potrero.

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The Potluck
After the hike, we'll enjoy a potluck nearby. The details will be informed if you are accepted.
Please bring some food and drink to share. If your item requires it, bring plates and utensils to share. Please leave your potluck items in your car.
social event and shack share

What to Bring
1-2 liters of water.
Snacks and/or beverages to share
Hiking shoes preferred, but athletic shoes will be OK.
Flashlight or headlamp.

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The festival takes place along 4 blocks of Main St., between N. Fir St and S. Palm St.

{ TRAIN OPTIONS - travel via the train } Link to Amtrak
The train station is 8 – 15 min walk, depending on which end of the festival.
$18: 769 Pacific Surfliner - Simi Valley (SIM) 12:11p, Ventura (VEC) - 1:03p
$18: 794 Pacific Surfliner - Ventura (VEC) 7:50p, Simi Valley (SIM) - 8:48p
These times will be updated as the date nears, because the schedule often changes slightly.

I don't recommend buying tickets.
Instead, buy what you want to eat and/or drink as needed at various businesses, or bring your own (fastest and least expensive).

A typical event:
We start at Winchesters. People trickle in a different times. We coalesce and/or break off into smaller sub-groups, wandering through the festival at different times. There is never a time where we are all together.

There is no other particular location we stop at, because just about every few businesses are selling food and drink. Often, many of us will meet up around the center of the festival where there is usually an outdoor band about 7p. On the last walk, there was no band, so nothing is definite.

What follows, it mostly from the advertisement:

For those that still want to buy tickets ($?? - $??? with fee): (Link to purchase tickets coming soon)

Suggested check-in: Winchester's Saloon

The Social Event Of The Year is BACK! The Ventura Winter Wine Walk & Holiday Street Fair will once again return to beautiful Ventura on Saturday, December 6, 2025!

The Most Magical day in Ventura will kick off with the FREE Fiesta Street Fair from 12pm-8pm in Downtown Ventura from the Museum of Ventura County through the 600 block of Main Street with vendors and live entertainment. Shop artists, crafters, non-profit organizations, commercial and food vendors.

The street fair and entertainment is FREE and open to the public starting at Noon!

THE WINE WALK 4pm - 8pm
Ticket Purchasers: CHECK-IN TIME IS FROM 3pm-5: 45 pm.
You will not be allowed to participate if you arrive after 5:45 pm, No refunds will be issued.

Wine Sampling is from 4pm-7: 00 pm.
Holiday Street Fair is Noon-8pm.
Snow Fall at Main Stage will begin at 6:45 pm.
Music ends at 8 pm.

The Wine Walk will showcase Wineries and Breweries in your favorite Downtown businesses. Each guest will receive a tasting cup and a map of the participating tasting sites in Downtown Ventura.

Each tasting site will have a designated area set up for Wine Walk guests to sample the amazing wines or beers! Wine tasting will end at 7:00 pm.

As you stroll down Main Street you will be surrounded by a winter holiday ambiance of live entertainment, beautiful holiday lighting and snowfall from 6:45 pm-8 pm at the Main Stage. Space Is Very Limited this event Sells Out Every year...Get Your Tickets Today!

All guests MUST START at your designated check-in location before they can start the Wine Walk, if you purchased tickets.

There are many check-in points, and which one will depend on the ticket you buy. Regardless of where you check in, please get there early enough so that after checking in, you are able to make your way to:

4pm
Winchesters Grill and Saloon
632 E Main St.
Ventura, CA 93001

Photos from prior Winter Wine Walk 2022
Photos from prior Winter Wine Walk 2023
Photos from prior Winter Wine Walk 2024

Note: Parking can be tricky, and you may need to walk several blocks, maybe even further. I recommend adding 45 minutes for parking and walking to our meet point.

The event time is set for 3p, but we'll meet at 4p. That will give people time to check-in if they bought a ticket, because the check-in process can take 1/2 hr.

Note: This is a loosely coupled event.
Everybody will not be together at all times. Instead, we'll likely encounter members of our group during the event, especially at the start.

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