Fullerton East Coyote Hills Trail (Ted Craig Regional Park)

The East Coyote Hills Trail is an urban trail that follows Brea and Bastanchury Boulevards, separated from the roads by a wide sidewalk and a white horse fence. On the opposite side of the path are many shade trees and wildflowers that shield the backyards of the adjacent residential neighborhood that you'll pass for part of the walk. The inclines you'll encounter are gentle and undulating, especially after you turn onto Bastanchury where you'll find a climb up toward the connecting but separate Panoramic Trail. 

The East Coyote Hills Trail can be accessed from the actual trailhead at Brea Boulevard and Canterbury Road, or you can park at the Coyote Hills Golf Course, also on Brea, and pick it up there. There are no public restrooms or water sources at the trailhead or along the trail. A walk on this trail is more like a leisurely stroll, especially good for families and pooches, rather than a hike. Its wildflowers, trees and many birds provide interest as you walk, and you may see chipmunks and squirrels scurrying in the undergrowth, or large birds like geese in the meadows you pass. The view is mostly of the bucolic golf course below you and the town of Fullertown. A working oil well pump surprises with its presence below the trail.

When you reach the end of the East Coyote Hills Trail on Bastanchury, a right turn will lead you to the Panoramic Trail, which is a bit more challenging with its steeper inclines and sometimes rocky surface, but no boulder scrambling is involved. Almost immediately, you are rewarded for continuing your journey with vistas that include the desert valley floor, sometimes as far as Los Angeles. A group rest area and formal viewing locations enhance the experience by interrupting the walk for refreshing pause. The trail eventually arrives again at Brea Boulevard, where hopefully your vehicle is parked nearby.

While this is not one of the most challenging or even scenic hikes in the LA area, it's pawrfect for a short stroll, whether you turn around and go back at the intersection with the Panoramic Trail, or add it to your itinerary for another mile or so!