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    Murphy Ranch Park

    4.5 (65 reviews)

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    Julie Y.

    This trail is a hidden gem in the neighborhood that I believe has 3 different starting points. It's a dirt trail that begins flat if you decide to go straight from where the sign post is or if you begin from the your left side. Another option is you could start incline right away if you make a right from where the sign post is & go straight up. I was here last weekend for the first time with a friend & we walked the main trail leading to the residential area & came back down which equaled to 3.5 miles. There was a bit of incline midway but thought it was fairly easy. Today, I came with hubby & we began our walk from the left side which started off flat but had incline & more down hill which got pretty steep. There were parts where we had to walk through narrow paths which weren't clear bc it was scattered with bunch of leaves, tree branches, rocks, etc. It was challenging when I tried to climb up to get back up to the main trail bc it was slippery & I slid down for a moment. Luckily, hubby got up first & grabbed my hand to help me get back up. If I had known, I would've worn hiking shoes bc it has better grip on the bottom. Once we got to the main trail, there were 2 more inclines which weren't bad at all & then a downhill towards the end. Overall, this hike can be rated easy to moderate depending on your fitness level. It's easy enough to bring kids & pets if you on an easier route. I love that it has shaded areas for when the weather gets hot. I definitely enjoyed it & will continue to come back

    Patricia R.

    always a great walk! if i could, i'd do it every day if life would let me :) multiple trails, hard to get lost.

    Route!
    Ava L.

    Super steep hike. Definitely need a shoe with lots of grip coming down the routes. Short but effective at getting your blood pumping. Not much shade on the route, so bring a hat and sunblock!

    Trailhead map
    Ron R.

    This hiking, walking, running location is not bad. It would be difficult to know about or find without using a phone maps app. The parking lot is small with limited spaces. There is some nearby parking on the surrounding residential streets. There is not overwhelming, but significant dog poop and poop from other creatures apparently inhabiting the area on the paths as other Yelpers have commented. There are map near the lot/trailhead which shows that there is one main path that does NOT loop around and several smaller branching paths. The main path is somewhat steep. If your health is not that great or you have small kids, then you are probably better off going to a flatter place for a walk/hike. Depending on your fitness level it may be a fairly challenging run, but we saw several clearly out of shape people doing it. The scenery on the main path is just the typical California tundra and many of the plants are very aromatic depending on the time of year you go. Consequently, the main path offers a pleasant, but somewhat challenging walk without extremely beautiful views. If you want a brisk walk uphill, a moderate hike, or a somewhat challenging run and don't mind people walking dogs around, then this is a great place to go. Of any of those things are not what you are looking for, then try elsewhere.

    Steph H.

    STEPH JUDGEMENT: A small but lovely park for short, hilly hiking. The hubby and I were looking for a little hike to do and I happened to see this place on Google Maps. We were grateful for the overcast day, as you start out with some pretty good cover at the bottom but get more exposed as you climb. There were some pretty challenging hills, but they were short. We had a nice expansive view of the area from the top before meandering our way down. I guess you can keep going by crossing the street somewhere, but we didn't do that. There were some picnic areas and signs at the bottom, next to the parking lot. Not sure if we'd purposely drive here again from Long Beach, but if we find ourselves in the area and in want of some exercise, this would be a pretty good place.

    Steep small size trail!
    Janeth H.

    Great hike. Nice view, very spacious! Pet friendly! Picnic area! If you want to have an "easy" walk stay on the main trail. If you don't mind going up/down steep hills then follow the small paths! Free parking inside the lot, however; if it gets pack you can always do street parking! Would recommend trying this hike!

    Fuyme J.

    First time visiting this park with my dog - worth the trip! Located in the friendly hills of Whittier - based off waze traveling through many residential areas and quite the beautiful homes to see. The parking lot could be missed as there is only entrance in and out. (Especially venturing on a foggy morning) - which was still part of the adventure. It appears to be make your own parking spots but some spots had faint outlines. No fees for entrance and parking - fyi. Park open quite early but arrived at 630 which seem like a popular start of the time as about 5 others cars arrived while I was getting my dog ready. There is a photo upon main entrance of potential routes to take, but lot of it appears self guided and figure it out Moments, which is what we did. Super dog friendly but please come prepared with your own bags, trash cans are located through various areas. It starts off flat first and then there are some inclines. There are dirt paths, gravel, wood chips, cement / asphalt pending area in. It does intertwine with the residential area so please be mindful however at 630 morning and later birds chirping rooster making noise crows flying. Plenty of fog added to the mystique and greenery all over plus spring time yellow and pure flowers seen. Didn't see really any other wildlife. Hills continue and some zig zag patterns - most of the pathway is visible but we just kept walking not sure what we come into next. Runner, jogger, and Walker friendly - wouldn't recommend strollers because of the different pavement. Park / hike super dog friendly however some of the inclines might tucker your dog out. My dog for 11 did pretty well but I did carry him on 2 instances just to give his little Legs a breather otherwise he enjoy and tolerated all the smells :) some pathways and trails were wide and some were narrow. Clean and I am sure plenty to have seen if fog was not around Certainly a place to return to and come early before 7am To beat out on the crowd, any parking concerns, and enjoy the peace and calm of the mountain.

    Ayesha Z.

    Great starter trail for someone who hasn't done much hiking in the past (aka me). I took a few breaks throughout as there is lots of climbing uphill so don't forget your water! The walk back down was breezy. The trail in itself is not very long (I believe 1.7m up and down). There is so many beautiful greenery and is dog friendly as I saw so many cute doggos on my hike. I would definitely come back!

    Mary N.

    A short hike with a great view and dog friendly as well :)! We started the hike at 9 and ended by 10:40?? We even took a few breaks going up just to enjoy the view. I would say this was pretty easy, even for someone who hasn't really hiked in awhile. It does go up hill but it's not too steep. Since California was raining for awhile, the scenery was so green and beautiful. Parking wasn't too bad around 8:45 am but if there's not parking then there's street parking. Also a friendly reminder to pick up your dogs droppings!!!!

    Bunch of weeds on the side of the trail. Nice and green so no fore danger.
    Michael B.

    Very little parking, lots of dog poop. But fairly short easy trail. Fun little trail.

    Jenny C.

    This park is nestled inside a quiet Whittier neighborhood, and is truly a little gem in an unexpected location. The parking lot of tiny, but you could also just park in the street. You can definitely bring your dog, though they must be leashed at all times. Please be respectful and pick up after your pets. I didn't seen any extra plastic bags, so you'll need to bring your own. Upon arrival, you'll notice that there are a few picnic tables for public use. The trail looks like one big loop - there's a map, but it's difficult to look at as it's faded and dirty, but the park is relatively small and my husband and I completed the hike in about an hour. If you choose to start your hike on the unmarked trail on the right, be aware that is pretty steep. I have short legs and I'm not particularly athletic, but it's was a bit strenuous for me. Good news though - it doesn't last too long and the trail is mostly shady. :) Actually, most of the trail is at least partially shaded, which keeps the temperature relatively cool (still hot though in the summer). It's best if you wear pants because it's extremely dusty!! And bring your hiking or tennis shoes - no flip flops unless you want reallllly dirty feet. :)

    Monica Z.

    Beautiful trail. Start off with incline immediately to your right, upon entrance. Straight down and slowly incline. Beautiful views. Watch out for rattle snakes. Coyotes are visible early morning or sun down. Lots of dog poop, unfortunately. Some rude bike riders too.

    Sandy K.

    It's been years since I've visited this park and hiking trail. I bring my pug here for hikes and it's conveniently located to my home in Friendly Hills. The trail winds thru mature eucalyptus trees, palms and plush greenery. You may run into various critters on or around the trail BC I frequently see coyotes, raccoons, squirrels and possums in my back yard. I've even seen some of my stray cats being carried off by the coyotes! Enjoy and have fun.

    Beautiful misty morning

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    7 years ago

    What a cool hiking spot! I had no idea this place existed and I've lived in this are most of my life. My three kids love it too.

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    12 years ago

    Great for toddlers. Trails that loop and lots of vegetation. Not too much dog poop.

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    9 years ago

    Go through this hike very often. Very easy with potential to get harder depending on the route you decide to take. Picnic tables.

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    Page 2 of 2

    Ask the Community - Murphy Ranch Park

    How long is the trail?

    It's about 1.7 miles

    Found some equipment Sunday night and believe it's from a biker that unfortunately dropped on the way out, how can we make an announcement or has anyone reached out asking about it?

    Do you have to pay to park?

    Nope

    Does anyone know if this park is closed due to covid?

    Open but you must wear a mask and keep 6 feet away.

    On- or off- leash?

    City of Whittier requires dog on leashes

    Does anybody know the hours for this trail?

    I remember seeing a sign that read closes at sun down

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    Review Highlights - Murphy Ranch Park

    Consequently, the main path offers a pleasant, but somewhat challenging walk without extremely beautiful views.

    Mentioned in 4 reviews

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    Turnbull Canyon

    Turnbull Canyon

    4.0(208 reviews)
    3.0 mi

    Wow this is a beautiful fun hike! My review is solely based on my experience because well I'm a…read moreparent, have 2 small boys and we hiked up to the water tower as a family. I just say this because there are so many different types of people who come here, hikers, runners, mountain bikers and cyclist especially who were whizzing by us like lightning. The trail we started on was off the side of the road a bit and we parked near a residential area that had a few parking spots, we were able to fit in at the end but a lot of signs were posted that parking is by permit only. The trail we took had little to no shade and it was very hot so if you're new to this trial, take some water with you for sure! There was a huge incline up to the water tower, about 3 hills it felt like and then we arrived at the water tower, took some pictures of the view and hiked back down! There seems to be other places to enter the trials and different trails you can take, we just followed the directions here on this Yelp review and initially went passed the arrived destination because we were new to the area and didn't realize we had to park off the side of the road, some people in the other reviews mention a parking lot BUT these directions and address do not have a parking lot. Summer months they close at 6pm, and winter fall months close at 5pm. We came here to get out of our area for a little while and fell in love with this place! It's such a good place to come to workout, there were all different types of people here, families, elderly, couples, single people, hiking groups, dog walkers, bikers, and runners, or people working out hard! Such a cool hike! We will definitely come back! Was very hot today, maybe we will come again on a cooler day! We seen some spiders, lizards, lots of dog poop (I guess owners don't pick up after their dogs here much) lookout! Honestly I don't think this hike is for the weak, it was super hard for me but for my husband a breeze so I guess it just depends on your body. Enjoy!

    Turnbull Canyon is a popular trail in Puente Hills Reserve. The parking here is difficult as the…read morearea closest to the trail entrance has a Permit Required on the streets surrounding the area. So you have to park away and walk into the area. The park hours are 9am-6pm June to September, and 9am-5pm October to May. On the trail, I was able to observe lots of wildlife and local flora. ***BEWARE*** There is a lot of Poison Oak (pictured below) within the valley so it's important to make sure you stay on trail and not to touch the local plant and flora. (Which are also the rules of the trail) The views here were beautiful and the paths were well maintained. Make sure you bring in your own water. There are no bathrooms available and trashcans are limited to the beginning of the trail. I did notice there was lots of trash along the path, please make sure that you take your trash with you and if you own a dog, please do not just bag it and leave it on the side of the trail. Overall all it's a nice area and has access to lots of different variations of trails. It just gets busy and I would rate it higher if more people took the time to doing their part in keeping the trails litter-free

    Photos
    Turnbull Canyon - Sunset View ~

    Sunset View ~

    Turnbull Canyon - Water tower

    Water tower

    Turnbull Canyon

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    Sycamore Canyon Trail

    Sycamore Canyon Trail

    3.7(53 reviews)
    5.1 mi

    Wonderful trail in Whittier with a couple of different options (easy/hard) and free parking. This…read morearea is hilly, so you can choose a real work-out or take a more leisurely stroll. Perfect spot for a family hike and to learn about nature. Free admission. Take water and sunscreen. Great views of the whole LA basin if you make it to the top!

    I always enjoy a great hike! The path stretches about 3.3 miles round trip with a gentle 300+ ft…read moreelevation gain just enough to feel like a workout, but still very beginner friendly. The highlight for me is the canopy of beautiful sycamore trees that offers plenty of shade, especially in the warmer months. During the fall, the changing leaves are stunning and make the whole trail feel like something out of a postcard. The trail is clean and quiet, with restrooms available near the entrance and easy parking (a mix of onsite and street parking). It's also well-marked, so you don't have to worry about getting lost. Sycamore Canyon is open from 9 AM to 6 PM in summer and 9 AM to 5 PM during the rest of the year. Just make sure to bring water, as there aren't any drinking fountains along the trail. All in all, this trail is a perfect mix of accessibility and natural beauty. Whether you're hiking solo, with a friend, or just need a mental reset, Sycamore Canyon delivers every time. Highly recommended! You will enjoy and have fun at the same time.

    Photos
    Sycamore Canyon Trail - Stunning views

    Stunning views

    Sycamore Canyon Trail - Beautiful cactus

    Beautiful cactus

    Sycamore Canyon Trail

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    Schabarum Regional Park - Cherry blossoms

    Schabarum Regional Park

    4.4(372 reviews)
    3.8 mi

    I absolutely love Peter F. Schabarum Regional Park! It's the perfect quick escape -- close enough…read moreto civilization for convenience, yet far enough to leave the hustle and bustle of traffic and city life behind. Right now the cherry blossoms are in full, breathtaking bloom, turning parts of the park into a dreamy pink wonderland. The wildlife is thriving too: squirrels galore that are so bold they'll walk right up to your feet if you sit still and stay calm. On warmer days I've spotted rattlesnakes scurrying across the trails, so I always recommend staying in the middle of the paths as a safety precaution. From the main entrance at Colima Road, you can choose the paved walkway or head straight for the dirt trails depending on your mood. I usually make my way toward the horse stables and equestrian area -- watching the horses get fed or running around their enclosures is one of my favorite parts. Just be mindful of the occasional big mounds of horse droppings on the trails; it's a small price to pay for the beauty. The park is generally very clean, with plenty of trash cans scattered throughout. There are numerous benches, picnic areas, fire pits perfect for groups, a children's playground, and even a seasonal creek with several charming wooden bridges crossing directly over it (though the water is pretty dry now that the rainy season is over). You'll also notice signs posted along the trails warning about bobcats and mountain lions. I've been coming here regularly for six months and haven't heard or seen any myself, but I've seen quite a few hikers carrying pepper spray as a precaution. Just be safe out there. Weekends get busy with families celebrating birthdays and enjoying the outdoors, but it's all part of the lively atmosphere. For dog lovers, there are two fantastic off-leash dog parks right near the front entrance -- one for large dogs and one for medium/small dogs. Outside of those areas, dogs must be on leash per the signs. The hilltop trails offer absolutely stunning panoramic views that make every visit worthwhile. My only heads-up: the park is officially closed on Mondays and Tuesdays (per LA County rules), but a lot of locals park across the street at the nearby mall and walk in through the gates anyway. If you're in the Rowland Heights/Hacienda Heights area and looking for a beautiful regional park with trails, nature, horses, cherry blossoms, and those lovely wooden bridges over the creek, I highly recommend Schabarum. Just bring water, wear good shoes, keep an eye out for those snakes in the summer, and stay aware on the trails! 5/5 -- I'll definitely be back soon.

    The cherry blossoms have arrived in full swing, so I decided to take pictures again before they dry…read moreout due to hot weather. For convenience, I decided to buy a parking pass, which cost $10 and allowed for re-entry until 8 pm the same day. There were plenty of trees to photograph. Because of the current hot weather, there were several flowers already drying out. It's important to note that park rules prohibit cutting any tree or flower growing in the premises. Park amenities are minimal, but you can find multiple restrooms with water fountains and picnic tables to sit. When I went, there wasn't a big crowd, and the green space is already expansive. When the weather isn't hot, it's calming to take a walk along the paths and grass to visit different areas of the park.

    Photos
    Schabarum Regional Park - Cherry blossoms

    Cherry blossoms

    Schabarum Regional Park - Another photo of the plum flower blossom

    Another photo of the plum flower blossom

    Schabarum Regional Park - View of the road

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    View of the road

    Hillcrest Park - Sunset view overlooking Hillcrest Park stairs and city lights

    Hillcrest Park

    4.4(165 reviews)
    6.4 mi

    My family and I met several of my daughter's high school classmates at this park to take photos…read morebefore they departed for their prom. The big deal here is to take photos adjacent to the large water fountain. This is an extremely popular photo location, as over 100 students here in formal wear from various high schools. The park itself was very clean and well-maintained, with numerous areas for visitors to take photos. Parking is available in one of the numerous parking lots surrounding the park.

    Hillcrest Park in Fullerton--specifically the stairs--is no joke, but that's exactly why we love…read moreit. We went early in the morning around 7:00 AM, and it was already packed. Parking was very limited at that time, so plan ahead if you're going early. Clearly, a lot of people know this is the spot for a serious workout. The stairs themselves are brutal in the best way possible. After about three rounds, my legs were completely done--but it's such an effective workout. This place really gets your cardio in fast, and you feel accomplished every time you finish a round. The views along the way make it even more worth it. We also came back later in the day around 5:30 PM. It starts to get a bit dark around that time, so that's something to keep in mind, but it's still a great experience and totally worth it. Overall, if you're looking for a challenging, fun, and effective outdoor workout, Hillcrest Park stairs deliver every time. Just be ready for sore legs and limited parking during peak hours.

    Photos
    Hillcrest Park - My daughter (center) and a few of her friends are ready for the prom

    My daughter (center) and a few of her friends are ready for the prom

    Hillcrest Park - First maternity photo shoot

    First maternity photo shoot

    Hillcrest Park - Great location for pictures!!

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    Great location for pictures!!

    Murphy Ranch Park - hiking - Updated June 2026

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