This trail is managed by the Conejo Recreation & Park District and the Conejo Open Space Foundation, and it’s one of those loops that keeps surprising you as you go. The three-mile round trip starts at the parking lot where Avenida de Los Arboles meets Big Sky, and right away you’re on Moonridge Trail heading into oak woodland that feels surprisingly removed from the surrounding development.

The route takes you past an old tepee structure, then descends toward water sounds that get louder as you approach Paradise Falls. When you reach the main waterfall, you’ll find a shaded picnic table under an oak tree, plus steps leading down to a pool at the base where you can let your dog cool off and get a drink. The elevation gain tops out around 500 feet total, so it’s manageable even on warmer days. On the way back, if your dog still has energy, there’s another picnic area at Little Falls just upstream—a quieter spot if the main falls area feels crowded. You loop back via Indian Creek Trail, which means you’re not retracing the exact same path.

The terrain is mostly dirt trail with some rocky sections, and the oak canopy provides good shade for most of the hike. Thousand Oaks sits in a transition zone where coastal sage scrub meets chaparral, so you’ll see different plants as you move through elevation. The waterfall area is best visited from late fall through spring when there’s actually decent water flow; summer means less dramatic falls but still a pleasant walk.

Dogs need to stay on a leash no longer than six feet and must be under control at all times. Bring water for both you and your dog since the trail doesn’t have water sources between the parking area and the falls. The parking lot at Arboles & Big Sky fills up on weekends, so aim for a weekday morning if you can.