Day Hike: Peter Strauss Ranch

Peter Strauss Ranch is a great place to explore, picnic and introduce kids to hiking. The 0.6 mile Peter Strauss Trail is one of the best places in the Santa Monica Mountains to hike with children who are at that awkward age – too big to lug in a backpack carrier but not quite ready for a march to Bataan. The trail is shady, well maintained and an easy hike. There is ample evidence of wildlife on the property but a peacock is the fiercest animal you’re likely to encounter. The grounds are peaceful but on a nice day you’ll have to put up with the constant thrum of motorcycles on Mulholland.

For more ambitious hikers and explorers there is a connector to Malibu Lake and from there you can head over to Paramount Ranch or to the Malibu Creek area.

One of the nice things about using Strauss ranch as your trailhead is that the parking lot is a mere stumble from The Old Place, a colorful and historic watering hole. Boutique prices but the food is good and the atmosphere is intriguing.

Directions:

30000 Mulholland Highway, Agoura Hills, CA, 91301

Take the Ventura Freeway (U.S. 101) to Kanan Road exit. South on Kanan Road 2.8 miles. Turn left on Troutdale Drive to Mulholland Highway. Left on Mulholland Highway 400 feet then right into the parking lot.

More photos of the area at Geek Hiker.

SEE ALSO

Day Hike: Cheseboro Canyon

Day Hike: Liberty Canyon to Cheseboro Canyon

For a nice hike in an area were old Westerns were filmed, Day Hike: Mount Cleff Ridge, Wildwood Park

Day Hike: Sisar Canyon near Ojai

Day Hike: Searching for the Lost City of Mu, Santa Monica Mountains

Day Hike: Mysterious Sphinx of Malibu Found? Santa Monica Mountains

Day Hike: Two Trees in Ventura (closed for land rehabilitation)

Thomas Fire Trail Closures

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