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We woke up early on a Saturday morning and took the pups to Vasquez Rocks, which is a 932-acre Natural Area Park. It’s the perfect place to witness and climb unique rock formations without having to endure a rigorous trek.

LOCATION

The park is part of LA county in a city called Agua Dulce. To give you an idea, it’s located about an hour north of Los Angeles Airport.

FILMING NOTORIETY

Due to the dramatic rock formations, you may have actually seen this area on TV. Shows like HBO’s West World and Star Trek have used the rock as a backdrop to capture amazing scenery.

scenes from West World were shot right in front of this rock formation

PARKING

We arrived shortly after opening on a Saturday and there was plenty of parking. We parked in the first lot we spotted; however, there is a second parking lot just a little bit further down the road that will get you right in front of Vasquez Rocks. We didn’t mind the short walk to the rocks since we had the pups and it was nice being able to see the rocks from a distance.

Gates to parking open at 8AM, but we saw several cars parked along the street. We are assuming some visitors wanted to get in earlier and just parked their cars on the street since the gate only blocks cars and not people from getting in.

Zooey posing with her new hat from Target

RESTROOMS

We didn’t see any bathrooms in the area we parked, but we spotted a portable toilet in the main parking lot. There is a Nature Center with restrooms; however, it was closed during the time of our visit.

VASQUEZ ROCKS

If you (and your pup) are seeking an accessible easy-to-moderate hike, this is a great place to climb. Zooey absolutely loved running and jumping around on the rocks. She enjoys jumping on rocks more than chasing a ball, so this was heaven to her. Kuma also enjoys rock climbing, but her tiny legs can only handle the smaller ones. She actually tries to impress us by jumping on the larger ones so we have to keep a close eye on her to make sure she doesn’t underestimate her jumps.

Crystal wearing her Anatomie Travel City Slick Jacket and Athleta Powervita Leggings — Crystal wearing her Anatomie **Travel City Slick Jacket** and Athleta **Powervita Leggings**

Trying to get a family picture with the dogs

Since we arrived shortly after opening, there were only a handful of people enjoying the rock climbing. Zooey and Candy tried to climb all the way to the top, but it got a little difficult especially with Zooey tugging on the leash. Regardless, you can roam around on the rocks and enjoy the views even if you don’t make it all the way to the top.

HIKING

Candy wearing Anine Bing Sweatshirt, Spanx Active Leggings and Bandolier Phone Strap — Candy wearing Anine Bing **Sweatshirt**, Spanx **Active Leggings** and Bandolier **Phone Strap**

If climbing rocks isn’t your cup of tea, there are trails with gorgeous desert views. There is little to no shade, so we imagine it can get pretty hot during the summer. We visited in November and the weather was pleasant at around 65 degrees Fahrenheit. There weren’t any huge signs that mapped out the trails, so we just started walking.

We walked around the dirt and gravel paths and kept a close eye on the pups. Most trails were wide enough that you didn’t really have to worry about them getting into bushes, but we read reviews online that snakes were prevalent and to be aware of that.

We didn’t do a long trek as we were all starting to get a little hungry, but we had the impression that there were longer and tougher trails in the area since we saw several people on horses.

SOME TIPS

Bring water and snacks if you plan to hike. There isn’t any available in the park.
Wear comfy shoes with good tread if you plan to climb up the rocks.
There is little to no shade, so wear a hat and sunscreen if you are sensitive to the sun.
Arrive early to avoid the crowds.

Candy wearing Point Zero Cordelia Woven Parka — Candy wearing Point Zero **Cordelia Woven Parka**

Vasquez Rocks is a fun and unique stop if you are looking for safe outdoor experiences with your pets. The air felt clean and it felt like we were far away from the city even though we were still within Los Angeles.

Vasquez Rocks Natural Area Park (map)
10700 Escondido Canyon Rd, Agua Dulce, CA 91350