We Burbankers don't like to brag, but we've got a cozy nature center right past the golf course…read more Hold on to your purses and backpacks, as some live animals live inside and can be brought out for petting purposes. Who pets a snake? Some do. Easy free parking right outside the nature center with lots of interactive displays inside. There's also an outdoor theatre area for presentations and plenty of space for the summer kids' camp. Burbank's hiking trail starts right outside the front door and is now accessible to all with Burbank's new all-terrain hiking wheelchairs, available at no charge with a reservation. Best kept secret? Sparkling clean bathrooms inside.

I always enjoy this place for peace of mind and nature time. The views are phenomenal as this is a…read moretrue hidden gem. You can have a great bike ride or run and enjoy the nature aspect of quiet time and mindful movement. This is a great spot for you to provide an opportunity for a workout or simply chill and reading time.

Perfect hike for a hot day…read more I love waterfall hikes and listening to the sound of calm, running water. The added challenge on these hikes is the multiple stream crossings. I brought some hiking poles which helped with balance and probing for loose rocks and logs. If you want to get parking in the lower lot, it's best to come before 8AM. We found parking in the second lot. An Adventure Pass or Day Pass is required. Parking is enforced. A car received a ticket for being in a No Parking zone. The start of the trail is nicely shaded. The second half is a hilly, narrow, sun exposed path which routes back into the canyon toward the Lower Switzer Falls. I'm glad they had fencing on some narrow and steep parts of the trail. We encountered an active rattlesnake which headed down the mountain, so be on the lookout. Overall, the hike takes about 3 hours for 5.5 miles. The additional hike back up to the parking lot was about 1/4 of a mile. Note: if you need to use the restroom, it's best to bring your own toilet paper and to go before you start your hike. It was kind of smelly, but if you gotta go... you gotta go.

This place is great for fully appreciating nature! The trail is around 5-5.5 miles round trip,…read moredepending on where you park. What impressed me most about this trail is that it's almost fully covered by shade. We went in the late afternoon, and I'd say probably 80-85% of it is covered. Very impressive! Here are some useful tips: 1. There are three parking lots: two are next to the highway, and one is near the hiking entrance. I'd recommend getting a parking pass if possible. 2. There are only three restrooms at the beginning of the trail, so use them when you see them. 3. If you're aiming to go to the waterfall, make sure to look for the signs. Some signs aren't very clear, so we had to stop and ask other hikers frequently. Luckily, people there are super friendly and happy to help. Just pay attention to your surroundings. 4. The trail is dog-friendly, but dogs must be on a leash. 5. Waterproof hiking boots are recommended. All in all, it's a fun trail. It's a great place for a picnic and camping, and it's very close to the stream. Great for kids, families, and pets!

SHUTTLE AWAY!!…read more Continuing the Conditioning Hike Series of reviews. Several months ago, me and The Crew were headed to the backcountry on a strenuous backpacking trip. To prepare, I wanted to do some conditioning hikes to decrease my chances of having to be airlifted out. This was one of the trails I did several times prior to the trip. Back when I was a wee hiker, The Crew planned a shuttle hike. What the heck is a shuttle hike?!?!?! STATS: Distance: 6.5 miles Time: 2.5-3 hours Elevation Gain: 1700 ft. Rating: Intermediate, not for beginners Trail: Fire Road, Non-maintained Fire Road and Single Track w/very little shade. Just northeast of Griffith Park lie the Verdugo Mountains. Like Griffith Park, there are a freakton of trails, some are maintained and well-traveled, some are not. Like the trails at Griffith Park, the trails in the Verdugo's are not all that shaded, and it gets super hot haulin yourself up an ascent to capture a 180+ view of the city below, not to mention, watch as planes arrive and depart Bob Hope Airport, as the sun sets. If the air is clear enough, you can see the sun dipping itself into the ocean as its glow illuminates on the water. Fast forward years of hiking with The Crew, I learned quickly and almost the hard way what a shuttle hike entailed. I also learned that I'm not the only one who goes through this growing pain. Anywhoo, while hikes are up and back, or in and out, or point A to point A, where the starting and ending points are the same, a shuttle hike is a one-way hike and takes a more planning and organizing than a one-way hike. Everyone meets with their cars at the ending point, hikers pile into as few cars as possible, and carpool to the starting point/trailhead. The route mapped out should lead hikers back to the initial meeting point and drive those whose cars parked at the trailhead are carpooled back. Most often, The Crew does shuttle, or loop likes, one-way is typically on backpacking trips. The Skyline trail is in the Verdugo's, and just as every trail, can be one-way, however, The Crew makes it a car shuttle hike. So we left some cars at our initial meeting point, in this case, Brand Park. A short ride down the street and around the bend, to a residential area is where we began our hike. The track is overgrown and a bit challenging in a few spots, but rewards hikers with some outstanding scenes of the Burbank and Glendale areas, and a nice steady incline, great for conditioning. The trail back down to our cars is the rutted firebreak that connects Beaudry to the library and can be a bit dangerous, but there are other, safer trails that lead back to the Brand Park, should you choose to do a car shuttle. Otherwise, y'all can return the same way you came, and make it a one-way hike. DISCLAIMER: Hiking is not something that can be taken lightly. It can be life-threatening as you see and hear on the news, people die or get lost all time. Please, if you are going to hike, never go alone and prepare for the worst, hope for the best. Remember when going for a hike, no matter how short you think it may be, always be prepared. Carry at least two liters of water for every five miles (more if the weather is warm), protein bar, nuts, and electrolytes. Wear sturdy lug sole shoes and protective clothing. Some areas the weather can change quicker than a firefighter can put on his gear. It is also very important, always always always let a family member or friend know where you are going and when you expect to be back. Lastly, have fun when you hike it up.

Start on Via Montana, east of Country Club Drive. The trailhead is to the right of a blue portable…read moretoilet in a vacant lot. Head through the yellow gate and the rest is fairly obvious. It is 5.1-miles roundtrip with a 1600-foot elevation gain from the trailhead to the Verdugo Mountainway on the crest of the mountain range. It is 8.4-miles roundtrip with a 1900-foot elevation change from the trailhead to Verdugo Peak, the highest point on the range. For the biggest experience, try a loop of Skyline Trail to Verdugo Peak and back down Wildwood Canyon which can be done in 8.8 miles with a 2200-foot change. The trail mostly runs on the northern side of the ridge. There is some shade from the ridge, but that land mass also lessens the view of Burbank. Views are mostly of the canyon with shots of Glendale. Of course, reaching the top has a view of most of Los Angeles. Compared to Stough Canyon, Wildwood Canyon, and Brand Park, this is the least busy of the trailheads that go into the Verdugo Mountains from Burbank. Wear long pants to protect the legs. Although the trail is clear, it's not heavily maintained. Parking is on a city street around condos.

Brand Park is on the smaller side, so if you're hoping to get in 6,000 steps, you might need to…read moreloop a few times or explore nearby streets. That said, don't let the size fool you ~ there's something here for all ages. The Japanese Friendship Garden opens around 10 AM and offers a peaceful spot to relax. The koi pond and landscaped gardens are especially calming. There's a small playground for kids with nearby picnic tables ~ great for families. The onsite library hosts occasional events, and the grand staircase leading up to it makes for a great photo op. Parking inside the park is limited, but there's usually plenty of street parking available if you don't mind a short walk.

It's been years since I was last here, during Covid to be exact. It's when we all needed to be…read moreoutside in the open air to clear our minds. Hiking was the spot here when I was visiting but this time it was just for a little wandering around. Still pretty as the last time I was here. Very open with a pretty big lot for cars. You have the baseball fields, and a good amount of picnic area. I didn't venture throughout as it was just a little stroll after brunch. We did pop into the teahouse area which was pretty. There's also a little Park area where you could lounge and relax. Believe you're allowed to bring food inside but not sure about grilling. They had yours being offered for the doctor's house which we didn't do. The teahouse, not sure how often tours go for that. We walked around and just enjoyed the outside of the facades, the koi pond and just being relaxed. There were plenty of people doing the same as it was a nice a sunny afternoon.

This was such an amazing hike! It's uphill the entire time until the top of the hill, but the…read morepatience was worth it! At the top there's a flag and you can see a panoramic view of Los Angeles. It was such a pretty view, you can see skyscrapers, homes, and a lake/dam. After an intense uphill hike, you'll be treated with a cooling breeze at the top. I recommend going when it's not so hot. The wisdom tree is also at the top of the hill. The whole hike was around 2 hours. I would do it again for the view.

This is one of my favorite trails -- absolutely beautiful with amazing views. I recommend going on…read morea weekday, either early in the morning or around sunset. Avoid the middle of the day unless you're looking for a super hot, intense workout, because there's very little shade. Parts of the trail are rocky and can get a bit slippery, so good shoes with tread are a must. Bring water, wear a hat, and you're good to go. Totally worth it for the scenery!

My second time doing the stairs here is how I found them…read more Number of stairs- 9 Sycamore Glen to Redwood Dr.-this staircase is not in Fleming's Secret Stairs book, Walk #1, though they could have easily been part of the route. 60 steps Elmwood Dr. to Redwood Dr. 98 steps Redwood Dr. to Tamarac Dr. 81 steps up then 19 steps down Tamarac Dr. to Glenullen Dr. 86 steps Glenullen Dr. to Cherry Dr. 99 steps Cheviotdale Pl. to Capinero Dr. 44 steps La Loma to Cheviotdale Pl. 54 steps Cheviotdale Pl. to Cherry Dr. 43 steps La Loma to Evergreen-this staircase... Hope it helps It's around two miles.

I decided to give the Secret Stairs a visit after a tip from Yelp! There is just something charming…read moreabout a neighborhood network of stairs. The stairs serves well as an easy hike or an exercise spot for those who love stair climbing. One thing I did not expect is that the stairs go up and down. Rather than take you higher and higher, some of the stairs just takes you across hills which for me is disappointing. Also, I did not find the houses along the trail particularly scenic. They are probably nice for Pasadena but definitely a far cry from what you see in nearby Arcadia, San Marino, La Canada, etc. Overall, I consider the Secret Stairs a local attraction. It's a worth a visit if you live less than 20 minutes away and its a fun neighborhood novelty but it's definitely not worth your time if you don't live in the area. Parking: I parked on the street on Elmwood which is the beginning of the trail, but I don't highly recommend it. It's not a particularly well maintained street and it is super narrow and steep without proper curbs/sidewalks. There is also a sign that says 'Tow Away on Red Flag Days'. Refer to the affixes picture. If I returned, I would either park on the street prior to Elmwood or just skip to a different segment.

Nice vast park with a private lot for parking as well as street parking. The restrooms were clean…read more I went for a 1 year old birthday party and this place is huge. There were multiple parties at the park and they were so far from each other which is nice way to feel like we had a space all to ourselves. Ton of tables and shade for picnicking.

Beautiful and scenic park perfect for picnics! Perfect for all ages and pets…read more I celebrated my friend's birthday at this park and I had a good experience here! Parking was easy since there is a parking lot. However, it can get filled quickly and luckily I was able to snag a spot. Not sure what the other parking options are when the lot runs out. The park itself is super nice! It's hilly and vibrantly green. My favorite part is you have a great view of the city up top from the hill. The grass is also comfy to sit on. They have a playground, several picnic tables, and a bathroom too. There were several other groups celebrating occasions there, but it was not too crowded. A perfect option for nice weather. I would definitely recommend this park as a great picnic option and would visit again.

My friend and I were looking for a hiking trail. Being a L.A. native I haven't hiked this trail,…read moreever. It's been on my list forever and why I haven't been here is beyond me. I put it in my gps and found parking pretty easily. As we got off I noticed we can do the reservoir trail, which is flat gravel, and goes around the lake or we can hike up the mountains to the Hollywood sign. Being that it's summer we decided to do the flat trail that was surrounded by shade. As soon as we walked in my friend haven't noticed but I saw a deer really close to us. We sat in silenced for a while, it was beautiful. Since there is a fence around the reservoir I'm sure most animal will be on the other side, where the trees and mountains are. So it's not close enough where you can touch it. The walk is a 3 mile loop, very beautiful!!!! I mean we were in absolutely aw of the nature, trees, lake, wild life, just everything. Also I think it was very nice that it was my first time exploring. I definitely can't wait to come back again.

This is my favorite hike in Los Angeles. Unfortunately it was ruined for me this year. Not giving a…read morebad review but this is a warning for anyone looking for a peaceful flat hike around the water. Not really safe from city thieves! my car was broken into twice with stuff in my bags stolen. Very odd because I wasn't suspicious of that place because it's a very nice area and I been coming here for years. At first, I wasn't able to pinpoint this was the place my things were stolen for two reasons: the thieves did not take my bags, instead they opened the bags and removed the credit cards and cash I had. Which prevented me from noticing immediately. And second reason was there was no clear signs of break in until the second time my glove box was left open and my bags moved around. I think the thieves are professionals of some sort and know there way around the alarm or the door key holders because I definitely locked my car both times my stuff was stolen