Branching Out in Brea

To see redwoods, you’ve got to head north--but not all the way to Sequoia National Park. There are more than 200 of the big trees at Carbon Canyon Regional Park in Brea, near the farthest northerly reaches of Orange County. Then, just for antipodal contrast, head for the Outback--the Outback Steakhouse, that is.

LATE AFTERNOON 1

The Carbon Canyon Creek Nature Trail is 2.2 miles round-trip; at the end is a magnificent 10-acre grove of coastal redwood trees (Sequoia sempervirens) more typical of the other end of this state. You can stop in at the park ranger’s office for an enlightening trail guide that correlates with numbered markers on the trail.

At the trail head is a cool grove of Monterey pines that, according to the guide, once was a Christmas tree farm. Soon, careful rock-hopping gets you safely across Carbon Canyon Creek; trees along this stretch include mule fat and California mugwort. Plants include hemlock, also called fool’s parsley and very poisonous if eaten. (Just ask Socrates!) Stinging nettle also looks harmless, but it’s covered with “hairs” of formic acid that are painful upon contact. Rattlesnakes may be found near marker No. 4, so don’t get too engrossed in your trail guide. (If you do see a rattler, give it distance and respect.)

Of course, these may be the least of your worries. The park not only is on the Whittier fault zone, but the whole kit ‘n’ caboodle is in Carbon Canyon Dam’s flood zone, meaning that in case of deluge, the park will be submerged to spare cities downstream.

Before the dam was built, an oil town, Olinda, occupied the park site. Near marker No. 6, cross back over the creek by using the two parallel planks provided: The white buildings that can be seen on the hillside north of Carbon Canyon Road date to Olinda’s boom days.

The trail is remarkably silent, except for bird calls and the occasional jarring crash in the underbrush--perhaps a squirrel, or maybe a mountain lion. Before you get to the redwoods, you’ll see an elderberry, called “the tree of music” by local Indians, who made flutes from its branches. The trail guide notes that the tree’s flowers can be used to flavor pancake or muffin batter, but then notes that the leaves and stems may be poisonous--so forget it!

Redwoods are not indigenous to Orange County. Along the Northern California coast, the tallest of these trees tower about 370 feet. In the 20 years since the seedlings in Brea were planted, they’ve grown as high as 100 feet. The seedlings, originally leftovers from a bank giveaway promotion, were first tended by Fullerton College botany students, then jail inmates before the county donated them to the park upon its opening. Today, two picnic tables and a water fountain add to the enjoyment. If you missed the vantage point of the dam the guide directs you to at marker No. 11 (I did), you can still get a view of it just southwest of the grove. Retrace your steps.

DINNER 2

Make it a red-letter day and celebrate those redwoods with red meat. There are now more than 300 restaurants in the Outback Steakhouse chain; the Brea location is the first in Orange County.

Start with a Bloomin’ Onion, a large onion opened to resemble an artichoke, crisp-fried whole and served with a horseradish remoulade, for $5.49.

Steaks start at $12.99; the Melbourne is a 20-ounce porterhouse ($17.99), and as the menu says, “it’s bonzer.”

End with Cinnamon Oblivion--vanilla ice cream with cinnamon apples, pecans and cinnamon croutons, topped with caramel sauce and fresh whipped cream, for $4.99.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

1) Carbon Canyon Regional Park

4442 Carbon Canyon Road, (714) 996-5252

Open daily 7 a.m.-9 p.m. through Oct. 31; open 7 a.m.-6 p.m. Nov. 1-March 31. (Office open 7 a.m.-4:15 p.m. Monday-Friday.)

2) Outback Steakhouse

402 Pointe Drive, (714) 990-8100.

Open 4-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 4-11 p.m. Friday, 3-11 p.m. Saturday and 3-10 p.m. Sunday.

Parking: Parking is $2 (bring quarters or two $1 bills) at Carbon Canyon Regional Park. There is ample free parking at Outback Steakhouse.

Buses: OCTA Bus No. 67 runs along Birch Street at peak hours with a stop at Valencia Avenue near the park’s entrance. Bus No. 373 runs along State College Boulevard at peak hours with a stop at Lambert Road (for Outback).