The original coast live oak tree at Peter Strauss Ranch still bears the upside-down letter “T” carved into its bark back in 1881 as a land survey marker—and it’s still standing just west of the swimming pool. That tree has been here longer than California’s statehood, watching over land that the Chumash people inhabited for thousands of years before Spanish colonization turned it into Rancho Las Virgenes.

Today the ranch spreads across oak woodlands in Agoura Hills where you and your dog can actually hike some real trails instead of just walking around a parking lot. The property hosts concerts, art exhibits, and picnic areas throughout the year, so there’s usually something happening beyond just the scenery. The whole place has this quiet, purposeful feel—the kind of spot where people bring blankets and stay for hours.

Your dog needs to be on a 6-foot leash, which keeps things manageable on the trails. The terrain is gentle enough that even older dogs can handle it without strain, and there’s enough shade from those oak trees to keep things comfortable on warmer days. The parking area connects to the main ranch via a short walk back across a bridge on Mulholland Highway, so it’s not a long trek to get going.

Getting there from the 101 takes about ten minutes once you’re off the freeway. Head south on Kanan Road for 2.8 miles, then take Troutdale Drive to Mulholland Highway. The entrance is just off Mulholland, tucked into the hillside. It’s the kind of place where you notice how quiet it actually is—no traffic noise, just you, your dog, and a landscape that’s been considered special for a very long time.