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Hike Distance: 3.5 miles, easy option 2.4 miles.
Gain: 600', each option 285'.
Distribution: Most of the incline well distributed in the first half.
Difficulty: Easy Intermediate.
Shape: Loop.
Pace: approx. 2.0 mph.
Trail Type: Fire Road, Single-Track, and Double-Track.
Trail Variations:
Several extended inclines of 1000 steps.
Several steep sections of 300 steps, but no hands required.
Duration: 3.5 hours
Dogs: Yes.
Restrooms: No
Drinking Fountains: No.
Parking: Free along street.

What to bring: 1 liter of water for every 3 miles.
Hiking shoes/boots
Flashlight or headlamp.
Sunscreen and/or hat as needed.
Snacks and/or beverages to share

Hosting

Route: The host knows the route. A pic of the route has been posted as a link on this line.

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. There is nothing wrong with stopping, even if it means every 50 steps. See "How hard is this hike" in the discussion section (LINK).

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 a large arrow made of baking soda or sticks. There may not always be a sweeper designated to be the last hiker.

Interesting Notes
These are a couple plants you are likely to see on this hike:

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 or soap. Roasted root can be eaten like a potato. Illegal to remove live stick in CA.

Pronounced with short u. Dried leaves make good tinder. To eat root, remove skin and core, boil 15 minutes. Then fry or bake. Flowers are mildly sweet. Adam says they taste like radishes. The fruit is also edible, but bitter if not ripe. To access fibers: Soak for a month in water, or, lightly pound leaves with rock or club, or, scrape off skin. Roll between hands, then pull and separate fibers. Weave into cordage.

Wild Cucumber
Toxic. Boil fruit in water to make spikes easy to remove. Inside is a natural luffa. Tubars (thickened part of a stem, usually underground, like the potato) can be crushed and thrown into water to immobilize fish.

Almost the entire plant is poisonous. The prickly “cucumbers” consist not of fleshy fruit, but of two seed chambers containing lacy netting.

Directions
Los Padres Trailhead
15 Los Padres Drive
Thousand Oaks, CA, 91361

From I-101
West of CA-23, I-101, exit S. Moorpark Rd.
South on Moorpark Rd. north for 1000 ft.
Left on Los Padres Dr.
After 200 ft, trailhead on the right.
Park on the street.

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Parking can be tough, so carpooling is a good idea, or plan to walk from a nearby lot or street. We will meet at Santa Monica and Fairfax to start, but will update our location so we can all connect. I'll also send my number to attendees so they can text me. There is a shuttle service, the WeHo Halloween Ride, a free special service running from 6 p.m. to 3 a.m. along Santa Monica Boulevard between N. La Brea Avenue and N. Kings Road. Select vehicles will also connect to the Hollywood/Highland Metro Station from 6 p.m. to midnight. Full route maps and schedules will be available at wehopickup.com..

For more information: West Hollywood Halloween Carnaval | Halloween Festival in WeHo

Also note the following rules and info:

• No alcohol or public drinking will be allowed
• No backpacks, camera cases, tote bags, etc., will be permitted (clear plastic bags will be allowed)
• No weapons, fireworks or drones will be tolerated
• Kids and pets are strongly discouraged
• Carnaval-goers remember: If You See Something, Say Something
• Stay up to speed with street closure information, modifications to Cityline Local and Cityline Commuter service and parking information as it becomes available.

Snacks and/or beverages to share

This hike is rated easy-intermediate because it is a continuous incline for 1.5 miles. This isn't real steep, but it is continuous, and many beginner hikers have indicated this should be rated intermediate.

That said, there is no reason a fit beginner cannot complete this hike. If needed, just stop and rest along the way, even if it's every 50 steps. This is not a conditioning hike, it is a social hike, and you really can't get lost.

The only junction is 200 yards before the top, where we'll turn right to complete the climb.

At the top, there is a picnic table and 360 degree incredible views that are especially wonderful at night. We'll have a snack-share social event at the top for 30-60 minutes before heading back the way we came. Please bring some food and drink to share, and utensils of your item requires it.

The top has been known to sometimes be very cool and windy. Please bring something to put on in case it is that way at the top.

Interesting Notes

Tree Tobacco
The Cahuilla Indians used the leaves interchangeably with other tobacco species in hunting rituals and as a poultice to treat swellings, bruises, cuts, wounds, boils, sores, inflamed throat, and swollen glands. It does not contain nicotine.

It contains anabasine, a similar compound, which is highly toxic to humans and animals. It is more toxic than nicotine. Ingestion of the leaves can be fatal. It is being investigated for use as a biofuel. All parts of this plant are toxic. Used as an insecticide. Do not smoke.

Elderberry
The blue or purple berries are gathered and made into elderberry wine, jam, syrup, and pies. The entire flower cluster can be dipped in batter and fried while petals can be eaten raw or made into a fragrant and tasty tea. Spit out the seeds. Elderflower water is also used in perfumes and sweets.

Most agree that they do need to be cooked if you are going to eat more than just a few out of hand. That’s because they have a small amount of cyanide producing glycosides, which are released upon digestion. Fully ripe black berries are not toxic and you can eat as many as you like. Boiling or baking takes care of any “toxic” issue as does drying raw berries.

Directions:
Rosewood Trailhead
398 Regal Oak Ct.
Thousand Oaks, CA 91320

From the 101
Ventu Park exit, South (toward ocean).
Right on Lynn Road for 1000'.
Left on Regal Oak Ct. for 1/3 mi.
Park on the street

Hike Distance: 3.0 miles
Gain: 800'
Distribution: Most of the incline occurs in the first half, which is a continuous climb.

Difficulty: Easy Intermediate.
Shape: Out and back.
Pace: approx. 2.0 mph.
Trail Type: Double track, single track.
Duration: 3.5 hours
Dogs: Dogs must be kept on leash and away from picnic table.
Restrooms: No
Drinking Fountains: No.
Parking: Free along the 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.

FAQ
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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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