California Woods Nature Preserve
Overview
Expert Summary
Detailed Insights
California Woods Nature Preserve offers a vast, peaceful natural escape with an abundance of diverse trails, including woods, creek beds, and hills, set amidst gorgeous scenery. Its unique value proposition for families includes a 'trail with a story' specifically designed for children, and a range of trail difficulties from easy paths suitable for 'little ones' to harder routes for more experienced hikers. Parents can expect to easily spend 3+ hours exploring the varied terrain, which also features designated sitting areas and ample opportunities for nature photography and even off-trail adventures.
Key Highlights
- ✓Extensive network of trails (tons/many trails) suitable for varied interests.
- ✓Opportunities for creek bed exploration, providing a unique play environment for children.
- ✓Dedicated sitting areas thoughtfully placed throughout the park for rest and enjoyment.
- ✓A consistently peaceful and quiet atmosphere, ideal for escaping city noise.
- ✓Gorgeous natural scenery, highly recommended for nature appreciation and photography.
- ✓A specific 'trail with a story' designed to engage and entertain children during their hike.
- ✓Diverse terrain options including deep woods, accessible creek beds, and rolling hills.
- ✓Offers trails of varying difficulty, including clearly noted easier options perfect for 'little ones'.
- ✓Freedom for off-trail exploring for those seeking a more adventurous experience.
Standout Features
- ⭐An extensive and varied trail system.
- ⭐Direct access to a creek for exploration and play.
- ⭐The unique and educational 'story trail' tailored for children.
- ⭐Diverse natural landscapes: woods, creek beds, and hills.
- ⭐Well-placed sitting areas for rest and scenic views.
- ⭐Consistently praised beautiful scenery and natural sounds.
- ⭐Trails catering to a wide range of difficulty levels.
Perfect For
Ideal For
💡Pro Tips from Reviews
- →Plan to spend at least 3 hours here, as reviewers note it's easy to lose track of time exploring.
- →Carefully select trails based on your family's fitness level and the age of your children; look for easier options if you have 'little ones'.
- →Actively seek out and engage with the 'trail with a story' for a unique and interactive experience with younger children.
- →Consider exploring the creek bed for a different kind of adventure and sensory experience.
- →Bring a camera if you or your children enjoy nature photography, as the preserve offers highly-rated scenic beauty.
Things to Consider
- ⚠Some trails are explicitly noted as 'a bit harder', which requires careful consideration for families with 'little ones' or individuals with limited mobility to ensure a comfortable experience.
Price & Value
Not mentioned in reviews, so information on specific pricing or overall value comparison is unavailable.
⏰When to Avoid
- • Avoid harder trails if you are with very young children or family members with limited mobility, unless you are specifically seeking a challenging route and are well-prepared.
Pricing/Package/Events
Events & Schedule
Special Events(Last 2 months - Next 6 months)
Fall Forest Bathing Experience
Oct 22
No price mentioned
Enjoy Shinrin-yoku, the Japanese healthcare practice of simply being in the woods. In this leisurely walk (2:00 PM - 4:00 PM), you will be guided to fully immerse yourself in the sounds, sights, smells, and textures of the forest for health, relaxation, and a more vivid experience of the present moment. You will be invited to write and/or share some of what you observe and experience. Cell phones off, please. The guide is not certified by any Forest Therapy/Shinrin-yoku organization. Meet outside the Lindberg Nature Center at California Woods Nature Preserve.
Campfire on the Bluff
Oct 24
No price mentioned
Join us for an enchanting night of storytelling under the stars! This evening program (7:00 PM - 8:30 PM) begins by following the luminarias up a short but steep set of stone stairs to our Austin E. Knowlton campfire area. Enjoy an optional short night hike between stories, where we will listen and learn about the sounds, sights, and smells of nature at night. Feel free to bring a blanket to sit on or cover up with if it's chilly.
Primitive Survival Skills Series for Adults
Nov 15
No price mentioned
Build outdoor confidence as you make a cozy shelter with natural insulation. Unplug from modern supply chains as you twist thread, twine, or rope from the stalks of plants. Reconnect with human history as you coax a roaring fire from moving wood. More skills or extra practice will be offered as time permits. Success is likely but not guaranteed. Much of the practice will be outdoors. Meet in the Lindberg Nature Center. Sign up for any or all classes in the series. (1:00 PM - 3:00 PM)
Primitive Survival Skills Series for Adults
Nov 22
No price mentioned
Build outdoor confidence as you make a cozy shelter with natural insulation. Unplug from modern supply chains as you twist thread, twine, or rope from the stalks of plants. Reconnect with human history as you coax a roaring fire from moving wood. More skills or extra practice will be offered as time permits. Success is likely but not guaranteed. Much of the practice will be outdoors. Meet in the Lindberg Nature Center. Sign up for any or all classes in the series. (1:00 PM - 3:00 PM)
Primitive Survival Skills Series for Adults
Dec 13
No price mentioned
Build outdoor confidence as you make a cozy shelter with natural insulation. Unplug from modern supply chains as you twist thread, twine, or rope from the stalks of plants. Reconnect with human history as you coax a roaring fire from moving wood. More skills or extra practice will be offered as time permits. Success is likely but not guaranteed. Much of the practice will be outdoors. Meet in the Lindberg Nature Center. Sign up for any or all classes in the series. (1:00 PM - 3:00 PM)
🛡️Safety Policy
- • Cell phones off during Fall Forest Bathing Experience.
- • Campfire on the Bluff involves a short but steep set of stone stairs.
- • Success in Primitive Survival Skills is likely but not guaranteed.
📅Booking Policy
- • Sign up for Primitive Survival Skills Series classes is required.
Photos
What People Say
What's Great
- Spacious play areas (mentioned in 2 reviews)
Recent Reviews
Dustin Lawrence (Groot)
6 months agoDo you like nature or hiking? Well if so you will love this place, huge land with tons of trails, creek, sitting areas in the whole park. Also if you like pictures it would be a good place to take couples photos or anything else. It's nice and peaceful and love being there enjoying the peace and sound of just nature.
Laura Schlachta
a year agoIf you're looking for a beautiful hiking spot to get away from it all, look no further! California Woods has many trails, gorgeous scenery, and all the peaceful sounds of nature! I have been going here for years with my family, and we love hiking here! There is even a trail with a story, so you can hike and read with your children! A very lovely place to visit!
Emily Oliver
10 months agoMy kids and I come here quite often and always have a blast. There's about 3 distinct different ways you could go (there's a bunch more, of course haha) but there's the woods, the creek bed, and the hills. We easily spend 3 hours here without even noticing
Miranda Ankner
11 months agoLove working on my nature photography here, the trails are great as well. Have some that are a bit harder (note for the elderly an those with little ones) but have some there that are perfect for any ages. Truly my favorite hiking spot.
Carey Marie
a year agoVisiting from California and felt it fitting to see this place. Lots of trails and pretty places to explore. We had some fun off trail exploring and enjoyed our day here. I will definitely return when I'm back in town. I would recommend this space for locals or those in for a visit.