Los Angeles County, CA

Discover natural beauty at these unique rock formations that are a familiar Southern California sight having been the background for many films and commercials. Rock climbing is the primary sport, but adventurers can enjoy all kinds of Southern California outdoor recreation, including saddling up for a riveting ride or going on foot along the many hiking trails in this rocky terrain.

Santa Clarita, CA

Beautiful Elsmere Canyon, once slated to be the world’s largest landfill, is located in the Newhall Pass, adjacent to the Angeles National Forest, and the protected lands in Whitney and Placerita Canyons. Elsmere Canyon is an area of significant importance as it provides connectivity to existing wildlife corridors and increased the City’s greenbelt of protected open space. This Canyon added 842 acres to 400 acres of publically-owned land, creating over 1200 acres of protected open space to provide recreational opportunities. The result is a sizeable greenbelt buffer between the boundary of the City of Los Angeles and the City of Santa Clarita.

San Francisquito Creek Trail

Santa Clarita, California, United States

The VALENCIA Trail Race features three distances to run, a 10K, Half Marathon, and 50K Ultra race through the awesome trails and killer hills of Valencia, CA. This is a trail race that contains a good amount of physical challenge with combined elevation gains ranging from over 1700 feet for 10K runners to over 8000 feet for 50K runners. It is recommended that runners train for these elevation gains in the weeks leading up to the race.

20303 Newhall Ave
Santa Clarita, CA

Located in the City of Santa Clarita near the offramp of the 14 Freeway and Newhall Avenue, the beautiful 442-acre Whitney Canyon Park in the Rim of the Valley Trail Corridor provides outstanding examples of coastal sage scrub, oak woodland, chaparral and riparian corridor vegetation, with year-round springs and at least ten sensitive species. Besides its importance for wildlife movement in a critical corridor between the Santa Susana Mountains and the San Gabriel Mountains, Whitney Canyon provides a regionally significant entrance into the Angeles National Forest. Several popular trails for hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians are accessible from Whitney Canyon.

Santa Clarita, CA

Placerita is an east-west running canyon featuring cool, shaded oak groves, a willow and sycamore-lined seasonal stream and numerous other interesting plant and animal communities. The historic “Oak of the Golden Dream” is the site of California’s original gold discovery in 1842. A network of self-guiding nature, history and hiking trails radiates out into the park from the Center, with longer hikes leading to a seasonal waterfall and to the top of the Santa Clarita Divide. Picnicking is available near the Nature Center.

Santa Clarita, CA

Take a hike with the winemaker on a two hour adventure through the Sierra Pelona Mountains. Immediately following the hike you enjoy a light lunch, tour and tasting. Robert Reyes (owner) will guide you on a medium-advance level hike with views of the beautiful valley from the 3500ft elevation. It’s a 7 mile hike.

Nadeau Mtwy
Santa Clarita, CA

More than 900 acres of chaparral/oak woodland have been preserved along one of the most prominent ridgelines in the Santa Clarita Valley. After making the steep ascent to the ridgeline, trail users will be rewarded with the rolling terrain and sweeping panoramas from the Placerita Trail. Several lookout points located along the trail provide exceptional viewing and rest opportunities. Horse Peak, at 2,391 feet above sea level, lies just south of the trail and is the highest point in Santa Clarita.

Los Angeles County, CA

Castaic Lake State Recreation Area is one of the largest and most spectacular state water reservoirs in California! This great recreational escape for the entire family features two lakes: the Upper Lake which offers two launch ramps for boating with various waterways and coves for exploring and the Lower Lake that includes picnic areas, launch areas for Kayaks, float tubes and other non-gasoline boating, and a swim beach. The park is also known for fishing, hiking, horseback riding, wake boarding, jet skiing, and camping; all located 40 miles north of downtown Los Angeles and 8 miles north of Six Flags Magic Mountain on Interstate 5.

16723 Placerita Canyon Rd
Santa Clarita, CA

Driving along Placerita Canyon Road, as you approach East Walker Ranch Open Space, you are struck by the majestic beauty of this place. Mountains surround this 140 acre park which was once part of the Walker family’s land holdings dating back to the early 1900’s where they settled and ran their cattle. Remnants, such as old troughs still dot the pristine landscape, which has been called the most beautiful piece of untouched land in Los Angeles County.