OPEN DAILY FROM SUNRISE TO SUNDOWN

VENTURA HILLS NATURE PRESERVE

(formally known as Mariano Rancho)

PRESERVE STATUS: OPEN

DIRECTIONS

TRAIL MAP

PRESERVE UPDATES

Photo by Liam Pickhardt

Learn about the acquisition and ongoing conservation work at Ventura Hills Nature Preserve.

Discover the rich history and conservation efforts at Ventura Hills, a Ventura Land Trust property. This video explores the land’s historical significance and showcases the ongoing work to protect and restore its natural beauty for future generations.

Ventura Hills Nature Preserve, established in 2026, protects 1,645 acres of coastal sage scrub habitat and provides visitors with breathtaking views of downtown Ventura, the Santa Barbara Channel, the Oxnard plain, and the Santa Monica Mountains.

At opening, the preserve offers approximately 5 miles of multi – use trail for human-powered recreation. Steep and rugged, VHNP features significant topographic relief, with the Trail 101 gaining 600’ in the first mile. Despite this, Ventura Land Trust has worked diligently to make the preserve as accessible as possible with the hope of providing amazing views to the broadest contingent of our community as possible.

Photo by Laim Pickhardt

Preserve location and parking info:

Directions: VHNP is located at 2805 Hall Canyon Road, Ventura CA 93001.

To access the preserve, drive northeast on Hall Canyon Road. Proceed straight through the stop sign at Fairview Drive. Proceed straight through the stop sign at Sunset Drive. Continue on Hall Canyon Road, past the Ventura Water facility. The entrance to the preserve is located less than a quarter mile past Sunset Drive, on the left-hand side.

Please follow the posted speed limit of 10 MPH. The access road to the preserve is a shared-use road, and all pedestrians must keep to the right, on the dirt path separated from the asphalt with orange pylons.

Photo by Laim Pickhardt

This topographically extreme and biologically rich property is dominated by coastal sage scrub vegetation, including native species not yet found in similar habitats at our Harmon Canyon Preserve. VLT staff is working on developing the long-term restoration, biological monitoring, and public access management priorities for the property.

Learn more about Ventura Hills Nature Preserve by visiting our Ventura Hills FAQ page linked below.

Ventura Hills FAQs

Preserve Rules: Be a Friend to Nature

Do not disturb or remove plants, wildlife, soil, or rocks.

Please refrain from camping, parties, fires and music.

Cyclists must use a bell.

Please stay on dirt roads and trails at all times.

Keep dogs on-leash.

Pack it in, pack it out. Including, dog waste.

E-bikes are not allowed in the preserve.

Preserve is open from dawn to dusk.

FLORA & FAUNA OF VENTURA HILLS

Catalina Mariposa Lily

Calochortus catalinae
Gopher Snake

Pituophis catenifer
Purple Sage

Salvia leucophylla
California Quail

Callipepla californica
Common Side-blotched Lizard

Uta stansburiana
Anise Swallowtail

Papilio zelicaon
Giant Wild Rye

Leymus condensatus
Chaparral Pricklypear

Opuntia oricola
Red-tailed Hawk

Buteo jamaicensis
Milde's Tarantula-hawk Wasp

Pepsis mildei
Greater Roadrunner

Geococcyx californianus

Become a Community Scientist!

Be a part of a collection of community scientists creating the most comprehensive data on the animals, plants, insects, and fungi that exist in Ventura Hills Nature Preserve. Your careful observations help us better understand the biodiversity and manage the nature preserve to the best of our abilities.

To learn more about how VLT uses iNaturalist, please read our blog post The Power of Community Science through iNaturalist.

STEP ONE: Download the iNaturalist App and set up your account.
STEP TWO: Go outside! Take in the life around you–slow down, be curious, pay attention, and take photos.
STEP THREE: Upload your photos to iNaturalist. It will help you with IDs if you need them. Post your observation and we’ll see it on our end–thanks for your contributions!