Location: Santa Clarita
Top Things to do in Santa Clarita
Things to do in Santa Clarita, California (CA): The Best Nature & Parks
Santa Clarita, officially the City of Santa Clarita, is the fourth largest city in Los Angeles County, California, and the 24th largest in the state of California. The city has annexed a number of unincorporated areas, contributing to the large population increase. It is located about 35 miles (56 km) northwest of downtown Los Angeles, and occupies most of the Santa Clarita Valley. It is a notable example of a U.S. edge city or boomburb. Santa Clarita was ranked by Money magazine in 2006 as 18th of the top 100 places to live.
Restaurants in Santa Clarita
1. Placerita Canyon Nature Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 47 reviews
Reviewed By talkslikeaduck - Santa Clarita, United States
We live nearby but have only been here a few times over the years. We went this morning to get some exercise and loved it! Great place to walk around on the many trails and just enjoy nature.
2. Gibbon Conservation Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 59 reviews
The Gibbon Conservation Center is home to more than 40 highly endangered gibbon apes (small apes). This peaceful location is where gibbons live in family groups, raise their infants and socialize as they would in the wild. A guided tour is given at 10:00 a.m. on weekends, when they are open to the public between 9:30 a.m. and noon. Wonderful photo opportunities and a chance to watch gibbons swing from branch to branch and hear them sing their melodic songs. There is a gift shop on site. Private and school tours are available on weekdays.
3. Santa Clarita Woodlands Park
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 7 reviews
On the north-facing flank of the Santa Susana Mountains, the numerous canyons of Santa Clarita Woodlands Park contain globally unique combinations of tree species, perennial streams, spring wildflower displays, and abundant wildlife. Even black bears and mountain lion roam here--only a few miles away from the urbanized San Fernando and Santa Clarita Valleys.
Reviewed By SoCalRambler
Most people do the Mulally loop trail over the mountain, but be sure to check out the newer Elder trail that winds to the north from the visitor center / picnic area back to the parking lot. Not only is this a gentle, meandering trip suitable for all ages (spoiled only by cyclists who are eroding the trail badly with their tires) but the hills are abundant with lupine flowers in the spring since last year's fire. Watch the slopes carefully: Those whitish specks in the soil are likely fossils (see photos) -- 5 to 10 million years old. Also of note: fantastic rock formations in "the narrows," gooey oil seeps and oil drilling artifacts, abundant bird life, plenty of deer and even bears. We also like to count the lizards that stand on the boulders that line the road coming in (record count so far, 99.) New parking has been added (you can also pay to park further in by the ranger house / vis ctr but hardly anyone does that.) The park is getting more and more popular -- 2 years ago we'd see maybe 6 cars in the lot. Now on a typical Saturday you see almost 100. Sigh. They are also developing the park in the near future (look up Rivendale Park and Open Space on the Santa Clarita Hiking website for updates, as well as good trail maps.) For more info on geology, history and artifacts, search on Elsmere Canyon dot com (or simply "Towsley Canyon geology.") Best website on the area, hands down.
4. St. Francis Dam-Ruins of Collapsed Dam
5. Scooter's Jungle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5 reviews
