Estella Park’s off-leash dog area sits on the eastern side of the park, a modest but well-maintained enclosure with decent shade from mature oaks and a mix of dirt and grass underfoot. The setting feels less manicured than some county parks—there’s genuine landscape here rather than just mowed grass, which most dogs seem to prefer. The fencing is solid and the gates work properly, which matters more than you’d think after visiting a few parks with wobbly hinges.

Dogs run free in the designated off-leash zone; the rest of Estella Park requires leashes. There’s no weight or size restriction in the dog park itself. Water bowls are available in the enclosure, though you’ll want to bring a collapsible bowl or bottle if you’re planning to explore the broader park trails. The dog park has good turnover—it’s not one of those places that gets mobbed on weekend mornings, so your dog can usually move around without constant pack pressure.

The park’s trail system offers several miles of hiking on moderate terrain, mostly rolling rather than steep, with elevation gain that won’t punish you or an older dog. Erbes Road runs along the park’s border, so you’ll hear traffic depending on where you are. Early mornings and weekday afternoons tend to be quieter here. The park has parking off Erbes Road, and once you’re in, the trails are easy to navigate—nothing confusing about the layout. Summer heat can be intense in the Thousand Oaks area, so spring and fall are genuinely better times to do serious hiking here. The dog park itself has decent tree cover, but the wider trails expose you once you get away from the oak stands. Bring water regardless of season.