Cherry Canyon

I love exploring La Cañada. Located in the western edge of the San Gabriel Valley in the foothills of the San Gabriels, La Cañada has many cute shops and restaurants, and is a gateway to adventure. Cherry Canyon Park is one such place for low-key adventures. Nestled in the San Rafael Hills of La Cañada-Flintridge, Cherry Canyon Park offers several options for easy and moderate hikes. We had visited Cherry Canyon on occasion when looking for a relatively quick and easy hike close to home in the San Gabriel Valley, however, since the Eaton Fire had closed many of our favorite hiking trails, we leaned into this La Cañada gem a bit more.

Cherry Canyon covers 131 acres south of Interstate 210 in the city of La Cañada- Flintridge. The first 55 acres was purchased by the city back in 1986 with funds from both the city and the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy. In the years that followed, the city acquired additional acreage between the Cherry Canyon parcel and Descanso Gardens. Today, the park preserves areas of coastal chaparral and provides recreation opportunities for visitors.

On this particular hike, we entered the park through the mountain bike trail start on Forest Hill. There are several other points of entry- Hampstead Road or the gate near Descanso Gardens– so you can pretty much choose your own adventure. From the Forest Hill entrance, we took the Forest Hill Trail to the Cerro Negro Trail, then followed the signs to Ultimate Destination. My goal was to find the hiker swing I had seen on our last hike through Cherry Canyon. As seen from the photos, mission accomplished.

After swinging for a few minutes, we continued on. Our next goal was to get to Ultimate Destination, via the Ultimate Destination Trail. This spot has a not-too-difficult uphill with lovely views of the San Gabriels and La Cañada below.

We hung out and ate a trail snack on the bench before heading back down. We hit the Ridge Motorway, making a look back toward Forest Hill. Our total mileage on this trek was only three miles exactly, according to Strava, with a 625-foot elevation gain. The combination of trails would be considered moderate; with the cooler weather, it felt pretty easy. A few photos of the scenery below, and we headed back to the Subie. Of course, we made a stop for brunch in La Cañada.

Some things to consider:

As mentioned above, parking is pretty limited around Cherry Canyon Park. There is a small lot on Hampstead, but this can fill up. There is street parking near the park; just be sure to follow the signage and be courteous to residents.

Many of the trails have limited shade. I recommend sun protection and a hat. Even for relatively easy hikes, adequate water is a must.

There are no restrooms in the park. The good news is that being a local park, there are a number of La Cañada restaurants where one can enjoy a snack and take care of business before or after your adventure.

Cell service is pretty good throughout the park. Even so, be aware of your surroundings. There is wildlife in the park, including coyotes, snakes, and the occasional bear.

Dogs are allowed on trails, as long as they are on leash. Also, the signage is very good, so it is easy not to get too lost while exploring.

Cherry Canyon Park is a popular local park for hikers and mountain bikers alike. With wide, well-maintained trails, this is a fun place for an easy hike, or perhaps something a bit more challenging, such as the more strenuous Lookout Trail. It’s a great place to choose your own adventure, without being out of the way of ‘civilization.’ Just pick a happy trail and go.

References:
Trails, La Cañada Flintridge. “Cherry Canyon’s Preservation Turns 30 – La Cañada – Flintridge Trails: Hiking, Horseback Riding, Biking.” La Cañada – Flintridge Trails | Hiking, Horseback Riding, Biking, 21 Apr. 2025, http://www.lcftrails.org/cherry-canyons-preservation-turns-30/.