The Bommer Canyon Trail, a natural oasis nestled within suburbia, offers a little bit of everything. This easy hike showcases natural beauty, has lots of wildlife spotting opportunities, an interesting history, and sweeping vistas as you approach the highest point in the San Joaquin Hills. The full 4.8 mile hike includes some uphill, but if you want to do something easy, I'll show you an easy 2 mile option that's flat and great for families. Bommer Canyon is a National Natural Landmark and California's first Natural Landmark; it's worth visiting.
The entrance can be easy to miss, look for this sign out front.The main trailhead parking lot is small and fills up quickly with hikers, locals, and mountain bikers.If there's no parking in the main lot, head down to the Turtle Rock Community Park and then walk up from there.You shouldn't have a problem parking at the Turtle Rock Community Park, the lot is huge. There are also bathrooms here.The main trailhead has bathrooms and water fountains.
Gear For the Hike
This is an easy trail where you can get away with fitness clothes or light hiking gear. Good trail shoes will help on the dirt, and trekking poles can help on the steeper climb at the end. Bring 1L of water. It can get hot in the summer; there isn't any shade.
Here's the one-way elevation profile. The main climb is at the end of the hike. If you do the short option to mile 1, the climbing is undetectable.
3D Map
You'll gently ascend Bommer Canyon. Toward the end, you'll head up to the ridge in the San Joaquin Hills. From there the views are incredible.
Hike Brief
Here's how Arnold Schwarzenegger likes to hike Bommer Canyon, in a suit and tie. Photo LA Times
You'll be hiking through the San Joaquin Hills, which were once underwater, but have now been pushed up from tectonic action. When the 73 Toll Road was built (which you see at the end of the hike), they actually unearthed 5 million year old fossilized whales.
Bommer Canyon became the center of the Irvine cattle ranching operations, called "Bommer Canyon Cattle Camp." Every spring all the cattle that roamed over what is now the greater Irvine area were gathered here in a roundup. The cattle camp remained in operation for almost 100 years (1870s-1970) until the Irvine family realized that there's more money in real estate than cows.
The entire Irvine Ranch area became a National Natural Landmark in 2006, and then the first California National Landmark in 2008, when Arnold Schwarzenegger hiked here as part of the designation ceremony. The Natural Landmarks Program "recognizes the conservation of sites that contain outstanding biological and geological resources."
Bommer Canyon Hike Directions
The trailhead is behind the building where the bathrooms are.There's a cool mosaic on the building that you can grab a photo with.Head through the gate to start the hike on the Bommer Meadow Trail.The trail junctions all have signs that tell you which trail that you're on.The trail meanders up Bommer Canyon, through the old cattle grazing area.The trail crosses a bridge.And then another.When you get to the junction, make the hard right onto the Nature Loop.The trail is fenced in to protect the habitat. The park is in the process of removing invasive weeds and plants before introducing native species back to the area.The trail gently climbs up Bommer Canyon. Look back for nice views into Angeles National Forest and Mt Badly in the distance.As the trail climbs, you'll also see the 73 Toll Road at the top of Bommer Canyon. If you're doing the full hike, you'll be hiking up to that point.The trail winds down some switchbacks to a hill and a bridge. Cross the bridge.Once across the bridge, follow the trail around an open area.You'll pass the Bommer Nature Garden, which has relics of the old cattle camp inside. It's open by appointment onlyHead around to the road and cross over if you are doing the full hike.
If you are doing the shorter 2 mile hike, simply go back the way you came from here.
To continue on the longer hike, cross the road and start the Bommer Pass Trail.There's a small uphill as you loop to the right on the hill.From the top of the Bommer Pass Trail, you'll be able to see the West Fork Trail climbing the hillside in the distance. We'll be climbing that trail later.Bommer Pass Trail heads downhill to its end.Go past the East Fork Trail.And right after that, make the left onto the West Fork Trail.After a short flatter stretch, make the hard left and start hiking uphill. On the right you'll pass the start of the Turtle Ridge Trail.The trail is steep but doable.Take breaks to turn around and look back at the incredible views into Bommer Canyon and beyond.At the top of the climb, go through the gate.Then hike under the 73 Toll Road.The trail will loop up to the left as it joins Ridge Park Rd.You'll get sweeping views from Saddleback Mountain to Mt Baldy.When you get to the trail junction, make the hard right to the trailhead.Here you are, at the top! Check out the trail map, relax, and get ready to head back down.There's a cool trailhead sign here that makes for a good photo.
From here you just return the same way you came up. If you need water or a bathroom, just visit the park across the street. This trailhead is popular spot for local to access Crystal Cove State Park, as there's no entry fees or PCH traffic.
