We really love hiking especially in California. Everything just seems better there 🙂 We took a couple more hikes I wanted to tell you guys about because they were fun. We do the fun hike thing….if we end up on a harder trail believe me it is by accident. We are more easy to moderate trail folks. So the first one I will talk about is one we took as a family and the next is a “just us” hike.
We literally ran across this place by accident, we were driving around the Malibu Canyons and found the King Gillette Ranch and what a great find! Really a beautiful property on 588 acres in the Santa Monica Mountains, located on Mulholland Highway . Here you will find a beautiful mansion formerly owned by the Gillette family of the Gillette razor company. There is pretty landscaping, ponds, bridges and a couple of easy to moderate trails. If walking up steepish hills is not good for you there’s plenty of flat walking or strolling.
The visitors center has very friendly Park Rangers who will give you a map and point out interesting features. The center was formerly the horse stable for the estate. Like I said we were not expecting to hike that day so we weren’t fully prepared, we had the sunblock and water but not everyone had a hat or sunglasses. Thank goodness the trails are pretty short, maybe we did 1 1/2 miles roundtrip. A fun family hike!
Our next hike was “sans kids”, we needed to get up real early to beat some of that hot California July sun, and the kids were not feeling it that day. Usually they will indulge me….but nope not happening today Mom 🙂 That’s fine though, I love the time alone with hubby too, some of our best conversations happen while we are walking or hiking together. We get to reflect on our recent lives, the kids, work, future plans, etc.
This time we headed to Crystal Cove State Parks Backcountry Wilderness Trails. We were staying in Newport at the Newport Coast Marriott Villas so this was super close for us. We have hiked here a few times and are familiar with parts of the trail. We hiked mostly moderate trails, but did end up a a more difficult or even I would say strenuous part of the trail. I was huffing on some of these steep inclines, not a pretty sight!
This park has about 18 miles of trails through 2400 acres of land,it is huge and has a wide variety of trails based on ability. So picteresque, sweeping views of canyons, and glimpses of the ocean. Warning: They have signs posted warning against mountain lions!!!! EEEK!! We did see a road-runner cut through the trail right in front of us! So funny, not at all like the cartoon…Meep-Meep! We also did have a group of ladies pass us on horseback, that was a first for us as well. As long as it wasn’t a mountain lion 🙂
Overall a great hike, highly recommended. At times you could see the beautiful blue Pacific Ocean in the distance, what a grand view!
Pro Tip! Arrive to the trails early, before the sun gets too strong, and wear the right shoes, some trails are steep and cute little sneakers ain’t gonna do it. Get familiar with the trail, access a map if possible to carry with you or see on your phone. Make sure you have plenty of water, really….plenty. Bring a snack like a granola bar or something similar, and definitely remember the sunblock, hats and sunglasses. Stay on the trail and respect the wildlife….that means stay back, like I really need to tell you that 🙂
Hiking is a great time, especially on a nice trail. I’ll definitely keep these in mind when I visit California in the future.
These hikes look great! My kids usually amuse me too, but you’re right, sometimes it’s better to leave them behind (especially when it’s super early and HOT) to enjoy some “kid-free” hiking time.
Hiking is so much fun & these seem like some fun paths other than like steep hills haha! Roadrunners are so cute! One crossed my path in Texas once & I was so excited lol