While close to LA’s urban life, La Mirada is also near a number of wonderful parks to enjoy natural beauty. Whether to relax or break a sweat, these three parks are within a 15-minute drive east of La Mirada. Take a hike, grab your bike, or saddle up for a quick escape from the hustle and bustle of life.
#1 – Hiltscher Park
Hiltscher Park is a 15-acre park with a creek that runs through it. It offers hiking trails, biking and horseback riding. The park has a peaceful atmosphere with a fairly easy trail. It has a bike trail to keep away from the joggers and walkers.
This 1.39-mile trail is a local favorite for bike riders. With its mature trees and marked paths, it is devoted solely to trail trekkers. To begin, catch the Juanita Cooke Trail off Valencia Mesa Dr. and proceed South. Turn right on to the Hiltscher Park Trail. Cross Euclid St. and continue on to W. Valley View Drive.
The City of Fullerton, in an ongoing effort to improve the City’s trail system, has recently installed a signalized crossing at Hiltscher Trail and Euclid St. This signal is activated by pressing the “walk” button (there is also a button for those riding horses). The wait time is about a minute, similar to the trail crossing at Juanita Cooke trail Morelia St. and Bastanchury.
#2 – Robert E. Ward Nature Preserve
72-acre Robert E. Ward Nature Preserve is named for a past Fullerton mayor who worked to keep a part of the West Coyote Hills (510 acres) in a natural state. Nora Kuttner Trail users can get a 360-degree view of the San Gabriel and San Bernardino mountain ranges, downtown Los Angeles, and Catalina. The other half of the preserve remains fenced off along with Chevron property and closed to the public.
A continuation of the Rosecrans Trail, the Nora Kuttner Trail may prove to be a bit more challenging. Begin at the West Coyote Hills Tree Park and head north on Parks Road. When you hit Castlewood Dr., follow the trail uphill. As you stop to catch your breath, don’t forget to enjoy the spectacular view and listen to the birds in the adjacent West Coyote Hills Nature Preserve.
The natural beauty of the preserve includes coyote brush, southern willow scrub, coast prickly pear, California sagebrush, purple phacelia, yellow sun cups, and orange monkeyflowers plants.
Preserve birds include California gnatcatcher, coastal cactus wren, Towhees, and California quail. The hills are a stopover on the Pacific Flyway for migratory birds and a wintering ground for hawks and harriers.
#3 – Juanita Cooke Greenbelt Trail
This greenbelt is named after Juanita Cooke, who served as a city liaison for the Fullerton Recreation Riders. This nearly 3-mile easy hiking trail through the hills of Fullerton promises enjoyment for all trail trekkers. The best place to begin is at the north end of Laguna Lake Park. Head south until the trail ends on Harbor Blvd. near downtown Fullerton.
Juanita Cooke Greenbelt Trail endpoints are Laguna Lake Park at Hermosa Drive & Santa Rosa Place to the SW Corner of Berkeley and Harbor Blvd.
Click here to explore other natural beauty within a short drive of La Mirada.
Source: City of Fullerton & Photo Credit: Sean Scanlon