Love this place! Recently came here again in 2026. Went on Grotto trail by accident a year or two…read moreago. Omg! It was so intense but so worth is at the top I saw some coyotes on the others side- like a pack but the stayed on their side. Some people bring their hiking sticks and whistles and some just brave the wild :/. While we made it out alive, won't lie. Seeing like 5-6 coyotes at once kinda scared me but they were pretty far off. They have a nice little park (not a kid park with swings) you can walk around for a calmer and easier walk. They have other trails there that I haven't been on. So I'd just say wear good shoes if you're gonna tackle the big trails and maybe there hiking sticks (I need to get one) and anything for safety. It has many signs that there are rattle snakes. I haven't seen one but I believe them lol. I prefer to go early because in my mind, they wouldn't be out and about yet ‍ since it's not too hot.

A great park at the north end of San Fernando Valley. So many areas to spread out and enjoy…read more O'Melvany is listed as the second-largest public park in Los Angeles(behind Griffith Park), but still seems a pretty good secret, for the most part. On any given day you may see dogs playing, or training in social skills, exercise classes, families picnicking and kids running around. BUT ALSO BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR WILDLIFE! Coyotes and mountain lions are very common, as are rattle snakes. But also bunnies, squirrels and an array of birds, for those who take the time to stop, listen, and try to identify. There is not a playground at this large park. Instead, the draw is toward it's many, well marked, hiking trails. This use to be John O'Melvany's ranch, until he deeded the land to Los Angeles(1976), with specifics for it to be used as a park. You'll still see orchards of grapefruit as you enter, with signs requesting you not remove the fruit from the area. The fruit has not been properly tended to in decades, so it's not really yummy grapefruit, but on occasion you'll see some people plucking and tasting to quell their curiosity. Mainly, to avoid the spread of fruit flies, the city requests that the yellow spheres be left in place. BUT OH THE AROMA OF THE FLOWERS FROM THESE TREES! And so many happy bees flitting about. Quite nice. This is also a park that allows access for equestrians. A very large dirt area for trailers to park and horses to be staged and prepped before heading off into the hills on the marked Equestrian Trail. If you do take the time to hike one of the many trails, you'll be rewarded with beautiful view of SFV. If you squint, you can almost imagine what it looked like pre-WWII, before the tract homes welcomed the veterans here. Many beautiful, very old, oak trees, eucalyptus and various maple species, along with a LOT of native shrubbery are found throughout the park and the one large bathroom at the center is well maintained. Hours are dawn to dusk, with gates at both the pedestrian entry and parking lot. Plenty of free parking in the lot and along the street. If you're up for an easy, but fairly long excursion, check out Bee Canyon Park. It starts just across the street from O'Melvany and DOES have a play area for kids. Also, it's trail runs all the way to Balboa. Cheers! "CC"

A friend took me to Whitney Canyon Waterfall today, and wow what an adventure. The hike is…read moremoderate, about 3.5 miles, and parking is free. Reaching the waterfall is not for the faint of heart. You climb uphill, descend back down, reach a small waterfall, and then go through it to finally arrive at Whitney Waterfall. It's a bit sketchy, definitely thrilling, and absolutely worth it but only if you're prepared. Hiking shoes are a must. This trail is not recommended for kids or beginner hikers due to steep and slippery sections. It was 48 degrees and freezing cold today, so check the weather before you go and layer up. Also, there are no restrooms, so plan ahead. If you're looking for a raw, adventurous hike with a rewarding waterfall at the end, this one delivers.

When you're ending the year 2025 with a hiking adventure. Let's begin this banger review…read more Whitney Canyon Park is a 442-acre park known for its diverse trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding, featuring oak woodlands, chaparral, and riparian areas with seasonal waterfalls. It is located next to the freeway in Santa Clarita. I have been eyeing this trail/park for months and I am glad I crossed this on my All trails hiking list. I came on a late Monday morning and it was bloody windy (~45 mph) with a cool temp of 64 degrees. This park has multiple trials including Elsmere Trail. WCP has a wide track trail through a canyon that was known for oil drilling and ranching some of its remnants are still visible. Its trail has little to no tree shade but the trailhead was kept clear. I have seen some hikers (family and kids) and bikers along the way; most are friendly and nice. Parking lot is huge with no shades. Trash bins are available. Overall, it's a nice easy park to go hiking. I recommend it.

Great place to hang out, have a party, or just walk around. Bathrooms are usually clean and stocked…read moreand you can usually find a nice place to sit and relax

Each visit to this park clears my mind. There is a calmness that always creates a relaxing…read moreexperience. Hiking, walking, meeting veterans and hearing their stories or taking in fresh air and enjoying the scenery, it's a great vibe. Looking forward to planning a picnic here, lots of shaded areas on the ground level. There is sun on the hiking trail areas, several paths to take. Not many play areas or apparatus for children but a great park overall.

Earthquake Falls located in the Angeles National Forest. It's a drive-to falls and is located near…read moreSanta Clarita, up Sand Canyon Rd, near the Bear Divide off Little Tujunga Canyon Rd. Water tumbles down an earthquake fault line. It's located 7 miles from the epicenter of the 1971 San Fernando Earthquake. The fault line is visible on the cliff face. The waterfall is 70ft tall and has two tiers. It's dry for most of the year so you're going to want to visit it after a good rain.

This waterfall is absolutely gorgeous. And it is only a few minutes from Santa Clarita and the…read morehighway. 14. It is flowing very beautifully right now and is accessible to anyone even someone in a wheelchair. It is so beautiful. Is this really a proof of the loveliness of the creator.

Do you ever not realize you haven't heard a certain noise in years until you finally hear it again…read moreand it's like music in your ears? This is how I felt yesterday evening as I stepped foot into Limekiln Canyon trail! What was that noise? Frogs!!!! I did not realize that I haven't heard the sound of frogs croaking in years and suddenly it was the most beautiful noise so peaceful and serene I wanted to spend the night on a log just listening!!! I attended a meet up hike and I had no idea this trail existed! As a side note it was funny I didn't know this is the same hiking group my step dad attends so it was a fun surprise when we saw eachother and we hiked it together! I've lived around the area and explored all my life but this is the first time I heard of this trail or seen it!!! Parking is street parking off Tampa and across from the church. The entire path is dirt roads and very very well maintained brush on all sides. My step dad said he's had a run in with rattlesnakes on this trail and to be very careful on the parts of the trail that get narrow with bushes on both sides so close to where you're walking. All the trees are huge and give great shade and cover. We hiked at around 6pm and I did see people with dogs who were all on leashes which was good and the trail wasn't too congested so I do believe next time I come to this trail I can bring my dog along! When it gets dark the trees don't let in too much light from the sky so make sure you bring your flashlight. I'm really excited to have such a nice place to hike so close and, well, as I said the sound of the frogs has me hooked and you might catch me there just sitting on a log listening to the beautiful nature sounds!

Limekiln Canyon Trail is a nice place to go on a casual walk/hike. Its a cool trail because you can…read morefeel like you are in nature, however the trail is located close to the street, or at least this is the case for the section I like to hike in. The trail extends into the mountains so if you are into longer hikes there is that option. Pros: easy access, convenient escape into nature. Not a difficult hike. Cons: there is graffiti/street art on the trail. Some of it looks cool, so this might not be considered a con to some. But I would prefer that it wasn't there.

Such a beautiful park and easy trail! I love that it's shaded and that there's a creek that runs…read morethrough it. Restrooms are clean and there's plenty of parking.

Plenty to discover in this short and sweet trail. Our group tends to start away from the main…read moreentrance of the park. Instead, we would turn right onto Sesnon Blvd from Balboa Blvd, then head straight till the road ends. Oddly enough the two halves of Sesnon are separated by a ravine. From this starting point, there is a moderately steep decline heading down to the main trail. After this portion, the trail is a casual nature walk. The terrain consists of well-established stream crossings, clusters of old trees you can climb, eclectic art pieces made by local residents, makeshift swings made out of rope, and even manhole covers from India! Folks we meet along the way would say their hellos while riding their bikes and walking their dogs in the evenings. Every so often there would also be small frogs and worms squirming around. Once you get to the main entrance and parking lot, there are a few restrooms as well as resting/training areas for horses. As an out and back route, the incline back onto Sesnon gets the calf muscles working.

This park is large and spacious with plenty of free parking. There were kids playing at the…read morebaseball fields, soccer fields, and at the playgrounds. El Cariso Park hosts a regular farmer's market on Sundays. Stopped by for some coffee and pastries at E&V Kaffee! Such a delicious spot for raw honey lattes, chai teas, croissants and so much more. We had a great time perusing through the plants shops, fruit and veggie stands, and other local businesses.

El Cariso Park is one of the most beautiful and well kept parks in the Valley! Been coming here for…read moremost of my life. I cannot get enough of the fresh air, the cleanliness, the multiple recreational areas it has as basketball courts, tennis courts, baseball fields and of course synthetic soccer field. Perfect park for a bbq (Carne Asada) with the family. Walk your dog or go for a nice stroll with a love one. So luscious and green and big park great use of space here in the valley.

This nature center is located directly in the center of all the main activities for the park. There…read moreis free parking and many of the trails start right from the nature center. I thought this was a nice place to get an introduction to the wildlife, ecology and geography of the park. Admission to the nature center and the entire park is entirely free. The time I visited there was a docent on duty and a number of school children who were on day trips from the local schools.

What a great place to spend time with family and friends hiking, exploring and learning about…read morenature. I came here with my husband and son not knowing what to expect and was surprised to find this hidden gem. We had a wonderful time hiking by the creek which was active this time of the year. There are a few benches along the way to sit and take all the beauty around you in. We had to cross a few water streams while hiking which made our hike so special and beautiful. We had such a wonderful time. After the hike we had lunch at the picnic tables by the parking lot. So much to see and do here. A must visit for all nature lovers. Kid friendly. .... Love this place