Hikes for Tykes : Five local walks that are easy on the kids

Not so many years ago these baby-boom-generation Sierra Clubbers were conquering snowy summits with the Alpine Ski Mountaineers, cycling 80 miles a day with the Bicycle Touring Group, or partying hearty after a 15-mile hike with the Sierra Singles. Now their outdoors ventures are a wee bit different.

“Parents, it’s up to you to keep your children in sight at all times,” instructs Little Hikers leader Gary Standke, corralling two 4-year-olds who’ve picked up rocks that they are about to chuck at a family of ducks paddling in Malibu Creek.

More instructions on subjects ranging from snack breaks to Porta Potti location follow, then we dozen hikers, big and little, embark on the Malibu Creek Trail. Standke and the 4-year-olds set the pace, followed by parents carrying toddlers in backpacks and Standke’s wife, Nita, carrying their son Erik, 4 months, in a front pack.

For parents not yet ready to hang up their hiking boots, and who want to introduce their offspring to the great outdoors, the Sierra Club’s Little Hikers group is a great way to go. With a slow pace, snack stops, potty breaks and a long lunch, our group hiked more than 5 miles through the heart of Malibu Creek State Park that day, a personal best for my almost-4-year-old, Sophia.

Little Hikers, which recently celebrated its 10th anniversary, is open to families with children (newborn to preteen), and Sierra Club membership is not a requirement. Four to 10-year-olds most enjoy the hikes, which are held in Los Angeles and Orange counties and are chosen for level terrain as much as for natural beauty. (For more information and a copy of “Tiny Trailblazer,” the group’s newsletter/outings schedule, send a self-addressed stamped envelope to: Sierra Club Little Hikers, 19630 Stallion Circle, Walnut, CA 91789.)

During the Little Hikers’ first decade, some hikes have proven to be more family-friendly than others. Here, five favorites:

Malibu Creek State Park

Malibu Creek Trail, along Malibu Creek in the Santa Monica Mountains, is in the heart of the state park. The nearly level walk visits a dramatic rock gorge and Century Lake. It’s a four-mile round trip to the lake, a six-mile round trip to the old “M*A*S*H” TV location.

From the parking area, follow the wide fire road, which soon forks into a high road and a low road. Go right and walk along the oak-shaded high road, which makes a long, lazy left arc as it follows the north bank of Malibu Creek.

As the road ascends you’ll be treated to a fine view of Las Virgenes Valley. Cresting the hill, you’ll look down on man-made Century Lake. You can call it a day here and unpack your picnic or continue on the fire road past Century Lake to the former “M*A*S*H” set. The prominent Goat Buttes towering above Malibu Creek were featured in the opening shot of each episode.

Directions: From Pacific Coast Highway, turn inland on Malibu Canyon Road and proceed 6 1/2 miles to the park entrance, one-fourth mile south of Mulholland Highway. If you’re coming from the San Fernando Valley, exit the Ventura Freeway (U.S. 101) on Las Virgenes Road and continue four miles to the park entrance. There is a fee of $5 per vehicle. For more information, call (818) 880-0367.

Will Rogers State Historic Park

Tour the cowboy philosopher’s home and ranch, then enjoy the coast, mountain and city views from Inspiration Point, an easy, two-mile round-trip hike with a 300-foot elevation gain. Those wanting to hike farther can connect with other park trails. Will Rogers designed the riding trails that wind into the hills behind his ranch.

Join the path near the tennis courts west of park headquarters and begin ascending north into the mountains. Rogers Trail ascends a ridge overlooking nearby Rivas Canyon and leads to a junction where you take the turnoff for Inspiration Point. It’s actually more of a flat-topped knoll; nevertheless, clear-day views are inspiring.

Directions: From Sunset Boulevard in Pacific Palisades, 4 1/2 miles inland from Sunset’s junction with Pacific Coast Highway, turn north on the signed access road leading to Will Rogers State Historic Park. Leave your car ($5 day-use fee) near the polo field or near Rogers’ house. For more information, call (310) 454-8212.

El Dorado Nature Center

Next to its beach, Long Beach’s biggest “natural attraction” is El Dorado Nature Center. Established in 1969, this man-made wildlife sanctuary includes two lakes and a stream, tree-lined meadows and low rolling hills. El Dorado Nature Trail, a two-mile loop, explores the park. One mile is keyed to an interpretive pamphlet available from a nearby interpretive center; another mile of trail loops around the preserve’s two ponds.

El Dorado Nature Center’s small, interpretive museum, perched on an island, is a good place to learn about Southern California’s plant and animal life. This free, satellite museum of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County features a hands-on ecology exhibit and a gallery that displays the work of nature artists and photographers. For more information, call (310) 570-1745.

Directions: From the San Diego Freeway (405), exit on Studebaker Road and travel north about 2 1/2 miles to Spring Street. Take a right on Spring and proceed three-fourths of a mile to the entrance of El Dorado Nature Center. You can park in the lot by the nature center museum for a fee: $3 on weekdays, $5 on weekends. Walk-ins are free.

Santiago Oaks Regional Park

Santiago Oaks Regional Park preserves a piece of pastoral Orange County, including an oak woodland that attracts many species of birds. A checklist of commonly sighted birds is available at park headquarters.

Sample the park’s ecosystem via kid-friendly Windes Nature Trail, keyed to an interpretive pamphlet. The three-quarters-mile trail and its Pacifica Loop offer a glimpse of the county’s coastline.

A nature center near the trail head has exhibits and children’s activities and is well worth a visit. Although the hills seem destined for suburban development, for now at least, you can enjoy a 3 1/2-mile, round-trip ramble up to bulldozer-ravaged--but still surviving--Robber’s Roost, and steal a last look at fast-vanishing rural Orange County.

Directions: From the Newport Freeway (California 55) in Orange, exit on Katella. Turn east on Katella, which undergoes a name change in a half-mile to Villa Park Road, then a second name change to Santiago Canyon Road. A bit more than two miles from the freeway, turn left on Windes Drive and drive a mile to Santiago Oaks Regional Park. Day use fees are $2 per vehicle. For more information, call (714) 538-4400.

Crystal Cove State Park

Orange County’s--in fact, the Southland’s--largest stretch of undeveloped coastline lies within the boundaries of Crystal Cove State Park. The park’s 3 1/4-mile-long beach, bisected by rocky points, is backed by dramatic sandstone bluffs.

Both beach and bluffs offer fine walking routes. From Reef Point north to Crystal Cove is a two-mile round-trip saunter; on to Pelican Point makes a four-mile round trip.

From the parking area ($5 fee), head north along the bluffs, which are dotted with coreopsis and black sage. Descend the coastal access to the beach and continue your walk along sandy shore. A short distance north is a fine tide pool area that kids love to explore.

Beyond the tide pools is the tiny resort community of Crystal Cove. You may continue beach walking another mile to Pelican Point, where a coastal access allows you to return to the bluff tops. You may walk south atop the bluffs back to Crystal Cove, where you can then return to the beach. For more information, call (714) 494-3539.

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McKinney writes the weekly Hiking column.

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LOS ANGELES COUNTY / ORANGE COUNTY

1. Malibu Creek State Park

2. Will Rogers State Historic Park

3. El Dorado Nature Center

4. Santiago Oaks Regional Park

5. Crystal Cove State Park