Ventura County is a scenic coastal county that lies just north of Los Angeles. The diverse topography includes national forest land, wilderness areas, mountain ranges, and over 50 miles of coastline. Miles of hiking trails weave through the open space, parks, forests, and coastal mountains that together form an ecological corridor. In addition, a network of trails are accessible within the metropolitan areas, where the open spaces have been thoughtfully integrated with the development. Day Hikes Around Ventura County is a collection of 123 of the countys best day hikes, providing access to both well-known and out-of-the-way greenspace. These hikes range from the Pacific Coast to the mountainous interior and forests. Highlights include coastal estuaries and tidepools, long beaches backed by bluffs, waterfalls, swimming holes, forested canyons, secluded creek paths, caves, ridge walks, historic sights, filming locations, and rugged outcroppings...from relaxing, scenic strolls to mountain-to-coast hikes with panoramic views. The large number of hikes provides an excellent cross-section of scenery and difficulty levels. Hiking times range from 30 minutes to seven hours. The majority of hikes are 1-3 miles in length. Relevant maps are listed under the the statistics to lengthen the hike if inclined. At least one map is included for every hike. The book is well organized by location and includes a thorough index with entries for points of interest. Companion guides include Day Hikes Around Los Angeles, Day Hikes Around Santa Barbara, and Day Hikes On the California Southern Coast.
