Things to do in Woodland Hills: parks, shopping and a hillside hike

Woodland Hills is easy to pass through and easy to enjoy once you stop. Between Warner Center, the Santa Monica Mountains foothills and a busy shopping district, it has more to offer than a quick errand. Pick one anchor for the day and add one or two nearby stops.

If you're looking for things to do in Woodland Hills, start with Warner Center Park for open lawn and community events, Serrania Ridge Trail for a short hike with valley views, and Topanga Village and Westfield Topanga for shopping and a meal. Dates and hours below were checked in late October, so confirm anything time-sensitive before you go.

Wide interior walkway at Westfield Topanga mall with shoppers and storefronts.
Westfield Topanga, photographed in April 2024. Photo: Busition, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0. Unmodified.

Spend an hour at Warner Center Park

Warner Center Park, also called Warner Ranch Park, sits at 5800 Topanga Canyon Boulevard. The City of Los Angeles lists it as open dawn to dusk, with picnic tables and a bandshell. It works well for a casual lunch outside, a walk with the kids or a break between errands.

The bandshell is the reason to check the calendar. The Valley Cultural Foundation hosts free concerts here in the summer, and its listing shows the free Holiday Arts & Music Festival at Warner Park on Saturday, December 5, from 1 to 5 p.m. Bring a blanket or chairs, and check the foundation's page for any change.

Walk Serrania Ridge Trail

For a bit of mountain scenery without a long drive, try Serrania Ridge Trail. The Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority describes it as 2.2 miles, with 442 feet of elevation gain, rated difficult, and usually 1 to 1.5 hours. The trail overlooks the San Fernando Valley, and the city's Serrania Park, at 20726 Wells Drive, is the nearest park to the trail. The park is open dawn to dusk.

Hazy view over Woodland Hills and the San Fernando Valley from a hillside in the Santa Monica Mountains.
View across Woodland Hills and Warner Center from the Santa Monica Mountains, photographed in 2006. Photo: Oakshade, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0. Unmodified.

Go early on warm days and bring water. Check for red flag warnings before you leave. Park agencies in the Santa Monica Mountains announced a shared closure protocol for those days on October 14. If you also want a longer day in the mountains, the Calabasas guide covers nearby trail options.

Shop and eat at Topanga Village and Westfield Topanga

Topanga Village is an outdoor center at 6256 Topanga Canyon Boulevard, with shops, restaurants and a coffee stop. Westfield Topanga, the mall beside it, is listed at 6600 Topanga Canyon Boulevard, with a Canoga Park mailing address. Plan to check each center's own page for stores and restaurants.

The Village posts its hours as Monday through Thursday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Its garage is free for the first hour and $14 at the daily maximum. Surface parking is meant for short visits. Individual restaurants keep their own hours, so check before a dinner plan. Westfield Topanga lists the same hours.

Pick a Christmas tree near Pierce College

Later in the season, the Seasonal Adventures tree lot at 7100 El Rancho Drive, near the Pierce College Farm Center, is open November 27 through December 22, or until sold out, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. The lot says it will cut your tree fresh and load it on your car. It also sells wreaths and garland and offers delivery for a fee. This is a seasonal lot run by Seasonal Adventures, not by the college.

Eat locally while you're here

Our directory lists several Woodland Hills restaurants, including The Local Peasant and Tel Aviv Grill. Check hours and reservations with the restaurant. Planning a longer weekend? Compare it with our guide to things to do in Westlake Village.

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