A short trail showcasing a small grove of Redwoods growing in Southern California, at Carbon Canyon Regional Park.
Location: Brea, California
Hours: 7 AM-9 PM Spring-Summer and 7 AM-6 PM Fall- Winter
Fees: $3 (per vehicle) Monday-Friday and $5 (per vehicle) Saturday-Sunday
Distance: 1.6 miles out and back Time: 30 minutes to 1 hour
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation Gain: Less than 100 feet
Season: Year round, but winter, spring, and fall are best
Foot Traffic: Light to Moderate
Date Hiked: Wednesday, January 12, 2022
Overview
Less than 20 minutes from Disneyland, in the city of Brea, CA, lies the beautiful and spacious, 124 acre Carbon Canyon Regional Park. There are countless options for fun with the family here, including 3 huge playgrounds and a lake. Quite possibly, the best part of Carbon Canyon Regional Park is the Redwood Grove Trail. Tucked into the far back corner of the park, this short and easy walk will bring visitors to a very unique grove of Redwood trees.
While these trees aren’t as large as your typical coastal redwoods (they range from around 50-70 feet), that is to be expected. It’s a surprise that they have even lasted this long in a Southern California habitat which they aren’t known to grow in. This makes the grove that much more spectacular. Carbon Canyon Regional Park was opened in 1975 and the redwoods were planted that same year. Although the redwoods aren’t the size of the massive ones up north, the grove itself is very impressive and larger than what I was expecting.
Trail Description and Scout’s Story
All the holiday festivities had just wrapped up and the New Year had finally arrived. That typical Southern California weather was as beautiful as ever, without a single cloud in the sky. As my wife and I were simultaneously looking for something to do outside with our 8 month old daughter, Scout, I suggested the Redwood Grove Trail in Carbon Canyon. This would be a perfect, quick afternoon walk for us. After reaching Carbon Canyon Regional Park and paying our entrance fee, we drove towards the far right corner and parked in the dirt lot. The trail started just in front of us and we elected to just carry our daughter.
The Redwood Grove Trail
As the trail begins, there is one basic junction at the very start, where you will turn left. After this, the trail is about as straight forward as one could possibly imagine. There is nothing too exciting, but the trail is quiet and relaxing. Additionally, there is a blatantly clear side trail that leads to the Carbon Canyon dam, for those that want to check that out as well. Finally, after close to a mile, we reached the Redwood Grove.
It was as if we were no longer in the same park. Wooden corrals now bordered a mulch paved path and the Redwoods were towering above us.
My initial thoughts on hiking here, were to not expect much. I was pleasantly surprised. The grove wasn’t huge but nonetheless, larger than I was expecting. My wife and I have spent a bit of time in the Redwoods throughout Northern California and although these can’t even be compared, it is still quite a site to see them growing in Southern California. We spent a little time letting our daughter crawl around and soaking in her experience seeing these Redwood trees.
Although short, this was a great afternoon stroll that I am sure we will be back to soon.
Getting to the Redwood Grove Trailhead at Carbon Canyon Regional Park
4442 Carbon Canyon Rd, Brea, CA 92823
Where is the trailhead located?
- After exiting the pay station, make a right and continue to the far right corner of the park. There is a gravel parking area and the trail starts just beyond that.
Notes, Questions and Thoughts
Is there a fee to enter?
- There is a parking fee to enter. Visitors must stop and pay at a manned entrance station before entering the park. $3 (per vehicle) Monday-Friday and $5 (per vehicle) Saturday-Sunday
Are dogs allowed?
- Yes, dogs are allowed. However, they must be leashed and kept in control at all times. Please pick up and dispose of any animal waste.
