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Bommer Canyon Hike Featured
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Hikes In and Around Orange County

Bommer Canyon Trail Hike Guide

  • 4.8 miles - Moderate Effort
  • Or: 2 miles easy and flat
  • 2 (Total)
  • 900 Total Feet of Climbing
  • Max Elevation of 1,010 feet
  • No Dogs Allowed

what does this mean?

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.

In this Guide:
  • Video and Turn-by-Turn Directions for the Bommer Canyon Trail
  • Parking for the Bommer Canyon Trail
  • Insider Hike Tips and Recommendations

When planning, always check the park website and social media to make sure the trails are open. Similarly, check the weather and road conditions.

Where is the Bommer Canyon Trail?

The main trailhead is in Irvine, CA. Use this address:
6400 Shady Canyon Trail, Irvine, CA 92603

Bommer Canyon Trail Directions 3
The entrance can be easy to miss, look for this sign out front.
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The main trailhead parking lot is small and fills up quickly with hikers, locals, and mountain bikers.
Bommer Canyon Overflow Parking
If there's no parking in the main lot, head down to the Turtle Rock Community Park and then walk up from there.
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You shouldn't have a problem parking at the Turtle Rock Community Park, the lot is huge. There are also bathrooms here.
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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.

My Latest Gear Picks

Featured Gear 2023 08 11

Garmin inReach Mini 2 ( Amazon | REI )
HOKA Speedgoat 5
( Men | Women )
Zpacks Sub-Nero Ultra ( Zpacks | Review )
Alpine Carbon Cork Poles ( REI | Amazon )

As a hiking guide, I test lots of hiking gear. On my picks page, I'll show you all of the gear that I actually use. I don't accept paid promotions or talk about the stuff that doesn't make the cut. It's just the gear that works best, so you don't have to waste your money.

All My September 2023 Top Gear Picks

Bommer Canyon Trail Maps

Overall the trails are well-marked and well-maintained. Please stay on the trails and respect the signage.

Bommer Canyon Trail Directions 1
Help the park restore the area by staying on the trails and heeding any warnings.
Click Here To View

Explore Map on CalTopoView a Printable PDF Hike MapDownload the Hike GPX File

Best Smartphone Apps to Navigate: AllTrails | GaiaGPS | OnX

 

Elevation Profile

Bommer Canyon Trail Elevation
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

Bommer Canyon Trail 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

Govenor At Bommer Canyon
Here's how Arnold Schwarzenegger likes to hike Bommer Canyon, in a suit and tie. Photo LA Times

XX Hike Directions

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Bommer Canyon Trail Directions 5
The trailhead is behind the building where the bathrooms are.
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There's a cool mosaic on the building that you can grab a photo with.
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Head through the gate to start the hike on the Bommer Meadow Trail.
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The trail junctions all have signs that tell you which trail that you're on.
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The trail meanders up Bommer Canyon, through the old cattle grazing area.
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The trail crosses a bridge.
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And then another.
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When you get to the junction, make the hard right onto the Nature Loop.
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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.
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The trail gently climbs up Bommer Canyon. Look back for nice views into Angeles National Forest and Mt Badly in the distance.
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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.
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The trail winds down some switchbacks to a hill and a bridge. Cross the bridge.
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Once across the bridge, follow the trail around an open area.
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You'll pass the Bommer Nature Garden, which has relics of the old cattle camp inside. It's open by appointment only
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Head 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.

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To continue on the longer hike, cross the road and start the Bommer Pass Trail.
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There's a small uphill as you loop to the right on the hill.
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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.
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Bommer Pass Trail heads downhill to its end.
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Go past the East Fork Trail.
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And right after that, make the left onto the West Fork Trail.
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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.
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The trail is steep but doable.
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Take breaks to turn around and look back at the incredible views into Bommer Canyon and beyond.
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At the top of the climb, go through the gate.
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Then hike under the 73 Toll Road.
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The trail will loop up to the left as it joins Ridge Park Rd.
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You'll get sweeping views from Saddleback Mountain to Mt Baldy.
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When you get to the trail junction, make the hard right to the trailhead.
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Here you are, at the top! Check out the trail map, relax, and get ready to head back down.
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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.

Have a question about the guide or want to see what other people are saying/asking? View the Youtube comments for this video. Leave a comment and I will do my best to respond.

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This Guide Was Written by Cris Hazzard

Cris Hazzard 4 Mile Trail Yosemite
Hi, I'm Cris Hazzard, aka Hiking Guy, a professional outdoors guide, hiking expert, and author based in Southern California. I created this website to share all the great hikes I do with everyone else out there. This site is different because it gives detailed directions that even the beginning hiker can follow. I also share what hiking gear works and doesn't so you don't waste money. I don't do sponsored or promoted content; I share only the gear recommendations, hikes, and tips that I would with my family and friends. If you like the website and YouTube channel, please support these free guides (I couldn't do it without folks like you!).

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