West Coyote Hills Tree Park (Fullerton)
- Location: Coyote Hills Drive and Vintage Way, Fullerton. From the 91 Freeway, take the Beach exit (highway 39) and head north for 3 miles. Turn right on Rosecrans, go 1.2 miles and turn left on Gilbert. Make a quick right on Coyote Hills Drive, and go 0.6 miles to the corner of Vintage Way. From the 57 Freeway, take the Imperial Highway exit and head west for 4.3 miles. Turn left on Idaho, and go 1.2 miles (Idaho becomes Gilbert along the way). Turn left on Castlewood, go 0.2 miles and turn right on Coyote Hills. Go 0.3 miles to Vintage.
- Agency: City of Fullerton Parks and Recreation
- Distance: 0.5 miles
- Elevation gain: 100 feet
- Difficulty Rating: G
- Suggested time: 30 minutes
- Best season: Year-round
- USGS topo map: Anaheim
- More information: here; Everytrail report here
- Rating: 2
Located in a quiet residential neighborhood, West Coyote Hills Tree Park is a great little place for an urban oasis. While the larger nature reserve nearby is still entangled in a legal controversy as the public fights for access, hikers can enjoy a nice stroll before or after work, or even during their lunch break, on a half-mile loop through this park.
From the corner of Vintage Way, take the path into the park and turn left. You follow the wide fire road through a pleasant grove of trees, and then bear right and begin heading uphill. The trail leads to North Parks Road, but you can make your route a little more interesting by turning right on a rough, single-track trail that has been cut through the bushes. You zigzag up the side of the hill and meet another trail. Head right, and follow the upper rim of the hillside, under the shade of more trees.
This brings you to a wide fire road that descends at a surprisingly steep angle. You get nice views of the Fullerton area, and possibly farther beyond if the weather is clear, but take care as you make your way down. At the bottom, turn right to complete the loop.
Like Fullerton’s other trails and natural areas, the West Coyote Hills Park is a nice place to know about if you want to get outdoors. It’s also a good way to keep kids active during the summer.