3 min
Overview
A lovely 5+ mile loop through almost every section of this hidden park near the Arroyo Seco. Birds are abundant here, and the air will probably be filled with birdsong as you hike its mostly easily-graded trails and fire roads. This park is mostly dog-friendly, has facilities for picnics and fishing, and a top-notch Audubon Center with plenty of activities for kids and kids-at-heart. A great family destination or a place for a quick hike when you can’t make it out further. Ernest E. Debs Regional Park is a 300 acre gem on old ranch land in the Arroyo Seco neighborhood just northeast of downtown L.A. Chances are, you’ve driven past this place dozens of times already and never even knew it was there – and that’s mostly reflected in the park itself, too. For being completely surrounded on all sides by the city, there were long stretches I hiked in this park where I was the only person on the trail. There are a few different entrances to this park. Surprisingly, for such a small green space, Debs does have several very different feelings depending on what part of the park you’re in. For this route, start in the park’s western entrance near the Audubon Center. The Audubon Center at Debs has the distinction of being the very first carbon-neutral building built in the United States. It’s worth a stop here before you head out onto your hike – the building is beautiful and the volunteer staff is very helpful. They’ll have maps and recommendations for you … and – in one of the coolest things I’ve seen at any park – free backpacks! If you leave your ID or car keys, you can borrow a backpack for your hike and stuff it with bird guides, notebooks and binoculars! Please note that the Center is open from 9AM to 5PM, Tuesday through Saturday. When the Audubon Center is not open, the gate to their parking area is closed but the area is still accessible to pedestrians. If you’re an amateur ornithologist, you’re going to love this park. Not just because of the free binoculars – but I can’t remember a time I’ve ever heard so much
Trail Stats
8.4 km
121 m
268 m
145 m
—
Photos
Trail photo
No caption provided.
Trail photo
No caption provided.
Trail photo
No caption provided.
Trail photo
No caption provided.
Trail photo
No caption provided.
Trail photo
No caption provided.
Trail photo
No caption provided.
Trail photo
No caption provided.
Trail photo
No caption provided.
Trail photo
No caption provided.
Trail photo
No caption provided.
Trail photo
No caption provided.
Trail photo
No caption provided.
Trail photo
No caption provided.
Trail photo
No caption provided.
Trail photo
No caption provided.
Trail photo
No caption provided.
Trail photo
No caption provided.
Trail photo
No caption provided.
Trail photo
No caption provided.
Trail photo
No caption provided.
Trail photo
No caption provided.
Trail photo
No caption provided.
Trail photo
No caption provided.
Trail photo
No caption provided.
Trail photo
No caption provided.
Trail photo
No caption provided.