Nature

Canyon Park ForestCanyon Park is another hidden gym in southern California where you can enjoy nature, have a picnic or go on a hike to a waterfall. Canyon Park is situated at the foothills of San Gabriel Mountains and is operated by the city of Monrovia.

The park offers several picnic areas, educational tours and a nature center. The picnic areas have tables and barbeques.  At the Nature Center you can enjoy displays of local flora and wildlife indigenous to Canyon Park. Learn about the early history of the Canyon residents, and the present day natural hazards in visiting a wilderness environment.

The first time I saw Joshua Tree NP I thought I just crossed through the twilight zone and into another planet. The eerie landscape and the uncanny tree formations combine to transport you to a different state of mind.
This 800,000 acres park straddles the Mojave and Sonoran deserts in California. It is home to the most stunning rock formations, desert views and an unexpected oasis here and there.
The park was named after the most prevalent tree in the area. Mormons passing through the area called it Joshua Tree because it resembled their prophet Joshua praying to God.

This park is located in the city of Buena Park, north of Anaheim. It is another large recreational area with lakes, streams, trees, hills, playgrounds, sports fields, bike trails and a very nice hiking trail.

The park lands range from large open grass areas, to gently rolling hills of native plants, to shear sandstone cliffs to the north.

For sports enthusiasts, the park offers sand volleyball courts, three softball fields and a baseball diamond and tennis courts.

Oak Canyon Nature Center is located in the Anaheim Hills area. It is a hidden nature sanctuary in the middle of urban development.

The center has many hiking trails with varying difficulty. They range from easy to moderate. A year-round stream meanders through the park and crosses many of the trails.

Check out more details and directions at www.anaheim.net/ocnc.