Distance (round-trip)
5.2 mi
Time
3 hrs
Elevation Gain
400 ft
Season
Spring
Summer
Fall
Winter
Weather
–
5.2 mi
3 hrs
400 ft
Spring
Summer
Fall
Winter
–
This route in Ernest E. Debs Regional Park is a lovely 5+ mile loop through almost every section of this lovely green space near the Arroyo Seco. Birds are abundant here, and the air will probably be filled with birdsong as you hike its mostly easily-graded trails and fire roads. This park is mostly dog-friendly, has facilities for picnics and fishing, and a top-notch Audubon Center with plenty of activities for kids and kids-at-heart. It’s a great family destination or a place for a quick hike when you can’t make it out further — and it has some of the best views of downtown L.A. you’ll find anywhere.
Ernest E. Debs Regional Park is a 300 acre gem on old ranch land in the Arroyo Seco neighborhood just northeast of downtown L.A. Chances are, you’ve driven past this place dozens of times already and never even knew it was there – and that’s mostly reflected in the park itself, too. For being completely surrounded on all sides by the city, there were long stretches I hiked in this park where I was the only person on the trail.
There are a few different entrances to this park. Surprisingly, for such a small green space, Debs does have several very different feelings depending on what part of the park you’re in. For this route, start in the park’s western entrance near the Audubon Center.
Please note that the Center is open from 9AM to 5PM, Tuesday through Saturday. When the Audubon Center is not open, the gate to their parking area is closed but the area is still accessible to pedestrians.
If you’re hiking with kids, you may want to explore the Audubon Center a bit further. There’s an extensive play and exploration area just behind the building with plenty of activities for kids to do – as well as a short Butterfly Trail. It’s a very pretty area that’s definitely worth seeing. The Center also occasionally leads short group hikes and nature walks from here, and you can ask about that at the information desk.
This starts out as a very brief single-track trail just to the east of the unused paved road before joining the road. From here, it’s a well-graded dirt road. Continue on this road. At the 0.4 mile mark (including the distance walking up the entrance road from the street), the trail hits a three-way-junction at a short green staircase in the woods:
At the 0.6 mile mark, you’ll reach another three way junction at a bench … and you should have a pretty tremendous view south of the skyscrapers in downtown Los Angeles, too.
It’s a bit overgrown in some places – and you’ll definitely want to check for ticks if you’re hiking in shorts – but it’s a very well routed and serene stretch of trail. You’ll even pass some old wells and chimneys from the ranch days along the way.
The trail drops you back off near the junction with the paved road to the high-point. This time, head south on the paved road, passing a sizable gazebo along the way. Just past the gazebo, you’ll notice a faint use-trail heading off the paved path. Save your boots some wear and tear and hop onto this – the Valley View Trail.
The southern end of Debs Regional Park is very different than the north. Here, a large parking lot sits directly next to two large, open, grassy picnic areas – stocked with benches and tables, roofed structures, and lots of barbecue pits. You’re much more likely to find ice cream trucks, sunbathers, and birthday parties down here than anywhere in the northern part of the park.
There are a number of trails in the southern end of the park, but they’re not nearly as well traveled as those in the northern end and are therefore a bit tougher to find. I read about a Native American Terrace Garden on the park’s southern boundary and headed toward the southwest corner of the second picnic area, where my map told me a trail began. Look for this white gate near an old dirt road grade and head south.
Backtrack to the second picnic area and look for this small dirt path that climbs up a ridge.
Shortly above the stairs, there’s a junction between the trail and a fire break. For a more direct and steep route, hike up the firebreak, which will spit you out right at the edge of a small pond surrounded by pine trees.
Do a quick loop around the pond or take a seat and relax for a bit. Rejoin the paved path and head north. At about the 4.4. mile mark (or slightly less if you just headed north on the road instead of backtracking a bit like I did), you’ll pass a small bathroom facility. Just north of that, you should see another small single-track on the west side of the road. Hop onto this trail heading west and you’ll quickly find out why it’s called the City View Trail.
At 4.8 miles, the City View Trail rejoins the Scrub Jay Trail. From here, retrace your steps back to the Audubon Center or your parked car.
While the fire roads and paved routes are very well maintained, some of the single-track portions were a bit overgrown. NONE of the junctions are marked - so be sure to grab a map from the Audubon Center or print one out before you head onto the trail.
From the 110, take the exit for Avenue 52 and head east. Ave 52 turns into Griffin Ave after a sharp southward turn. The entrance for the Audubon Center will be on the east side of the road just down the street. There is a free parking lot near the Center, but it's small and will most likely be full (the lot closes at 5PM, too). Park on the street and just walk back up the entrance road. Transit accessible with some walking.
10 Comments
Thanks for the guide! Very helpful as there are no signs. Great walk/hike, Though it did seem like the elevation was more than 400 ft!
Great hike with views of DTLA and the San Gabriel's. I should have checked directions more frequently to avoid missing some trail changes. Fortunately there is good cell coverage in the park.
The Audubon Center is open Tuesday-Saturday only from 9-5. Went today on a Sunday and it was closed. The hike though was very nice, will have to do again when the center is open.
I love that place, too! I'm from New England, so I'm required to tell you how great it is that they carry Moxie - but that stuff tastes disgusting :)
Nice write-up! When we go to Debs, we follow it up with a visit to Galco's Soda Pop Stop, due north on York blvd.
Yea, this is an awesome place, one of my fav trails in LA City proper.
Looks and sounds great! I was driving around the area once, trying to decide if there was a reasonable hike to be had in the area. It wasn't obvious in a drive-by, so this write-up definitely answers those questions. Thanks!
Right by my home. Great review! Thanks so much - this is a gem of a park.
With recent wildfire damage and ongoing waves of COVID-19 infections and restrictions, National Forest, National Park, and other public land closures, restrictions, or social distancing guidelines may be in-effect.
If infection rates are on the rise, please do your best to remain local for your hikes. If you do travel, please be mindful of small gateway communities and avoid as much interaction as you can. Also remember to be extra prepared with supplies so you don't have to stop somewhere outside your local community for gas, food, or anything else.
Please be sure to contact the local land management agency BEFORE you head out, as these conditions are likely to change without enough notice for us to fully stay on top of them. Thanks, and stay safe!
Click here to read the current CDC guidelines for traveling during the COVID-19 pandemic.