Albertson Motorway Fire Road Trail in Thousand Oaks

The Albertson Motorway is a fire road and public trail that is accessible in the Lang Ranch Open Space in Thousand Oaks. The trailhead is at the east end of Lang Ranch Parkway. Street parking is available on Lang Ranch Parkway. This is a residential area, so be mindful of the neighbors.

The Albertson Motorway trailhead at the east end of Lang Ranch Parkway in Thousand Oaks.

The Albertson Motorway trailhead at the east end of Lang Ranch Parkway in Thousand Oaks.

Given this is a fire road, it is mostly wide, flat and hilly, taking you upwards and eastbound towards the Palo Comado/Cheeseboro Canyons, Las Virgenes Canyons and Ahmanson Ranch. The views are outstanding and get better the higher you go up. You'll see Simi Valley, Bard Reservoir, Thousand Oaks and beyond.

As you meander on the trail, stay towards the right to stick with the fire road. In the first mile and half, there will be several opportunities to veer left onto trails that take you up north towards the Autumn Ridge Trail in the Lang Ranch Open Space, which can be done as a loop (more details at cosf.org/trails/lang-ranch/lang-ranch-woodridge-strenuous-hike-autumn-ridge-to-albertson-motorway-loop). The Albertson fire road is more of an "out and back" trail where you can reach a particular destination, then turn back.

You will go towards a fairly short section of the trail that is not a fire road, but more of a single track area, for perhaps .2 mile. A fun little section for hikers, quite different than the rest of the trail. 

This is the section of Albertson Motorway not accessible to the public.

This is the section of Albertson Motorway not accessible to the public.

You'll eventually pass through a gate and about a mile and a half from there you will reach a point where you can take a right-hand turn (south) towards China Flat and Simi Peak. Along the way, there are two benches for taking in the view towards the Simi Hills.

You will eventually pass through this gate.

You will eventually pass through this gate.

Bench #1 on Albertson Motorway trail.

Bench #1 on Albertson Motorway trail.

Bench #2 on Albertson Motorway trail.

Bench #2 on Albertson Motorway trail.

The turnoff for Palo Comado/China Flat/Simi Peak is about 2 1/2 miles into the hike. There's a trail on the right. Hard to miss., then you'll see this sign.

Transition to Palo Comado Canyon Trail

Transition to Palo Comado Canyon Trail

If you continue past the transition to Palo Comado Canyon Trail, Albertson Fire Road continues on for awhile as you can see in the map below.

Albertson Fire Road Trail from China Flat turnoff area. (Courtesy National Park Service)

View of Bard Reservoir from Albertson Motorway Fire Road.

View of Bard Reservoir from Albertson Motorway Fire Road.