Gum Grove Park - Seal Beach, California

Rylee N.

Being in the middle of a busy city can get exhausting and this little hike was such a nice escape from it all. From beginning to end I want to say it was less than 2.5 miles. This is almost completely dirt trails, nothing up hill, and not very shaded if you're going midday. While you visit you will most definitely run into some frogs, lizards, and lots of cool birds.

Parking: can be a little tricky because it's in a residential neighborhood. Park on the street (check which day street sweep is on)!

Dog-Friendly?: Yes 👍🐶 your dog must be leashed (although it seems like a lot of people don't follow this) and please just pick up after them. There are a few trashcans along the way, so pick up the poop! There are lots of coyotes in the area, so just be aware of that (also why it's a good idea to have your dog on a leash. My dog really enjoyed all the little critters he saw scurrying around (squirrels/lizards) and he was able to get a lot of energy out "hunting" lol.

Yoon C.

The place where the breeze from the nearby Seal Beach is fresh. The trails that even the elderly can easily take a walk, and the wildflowers blooming everywhere are beautiful. Dogs are welcome but must be on a leash. If you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, come to this place and enjoy being alone.

Michael W.

Great little walking trails, quite a bit of sound pollution.. airplanes, gardeners, construction. It seems like it is a different house every single time. There are some amazing nature sounds if you can tune out all the garbage. The best time to visit is a couple weeks after a good rain, everything is green and the wildlife is active. Free parking, no restrooms.

Chino M.

Fun for a short and flat hike. The trail is in between protected wetlands and residences. This year's heavy rains brought a lot of wildflower blooms and frogs!

Entrance is in a neighborhood. Follow the road down the hill and you can park in a small lot at the start of the trail.

There are no bathrooms.

Stephan A.

This is a small gem located between the Los Cerritos Wetlands and housing tract. This trail loop is about 2 miles round trip and can easily be managed by a family with little ones.
There are two entrances. The westerly entrance is located off PCH and Mar Vista Ave., at the end of Avalon Dr., past it's intersection with Crestview Ave. The easterly entrance is at Seal Beach Blvd. and Heron Pointe (across from the main entrance to the Naval Weapons Station). Each entrance has parking, with moreso available at the westerly entrance. Like most public trails and parks, it is open from dusk until dawn.
The best time to visit is springtime when all the blossoms are out, blanketing the floor beneath the towering gumtree eucalyptus. The best way to enjoy the trail is through the westerly entrance, of which there are three levels of trails. The lower trail is the flattest, but still offers great views. The mid-slope trail takes you up & down amid the gum groves and in between the greenery and blossoms. The upper trail runs along the top of the slope and abuts the fences and walls of the northerly end of the neighboring housing tract.
Continuing easterly will give you more options as you come to a fork past a gate. Proceeding straight and to your right will careen you through a much wider path between housing tracts. This path eventually leads to the easterly entrance at Heron Pointe, at Seal Beach Blvd. Taking the left in the fork will give a more rewarding trek, in my opinion. Once you go down some stairs (maybe eight steps), you will come across the first of ten monument stones with a plaque affixed. Each plaque explains the history of the surrounding area from the native people, to the ranchos, to the land purchases of Abel Stearns, Isias Hellman, and the Bixby family. Onward past these ten stones is a circular seating area with four informative signs. Unfortunately, they are weather-beaten and nearly eligible. Forging on will soon get you to a dead end at a locked double-gate.

Leslie Y.

This is my happy place. I love taking my dog there, and she always gets so excited when we visit.

It's scenic and the trees provide plenty of shade throughout the day. There are waste baskets along the path, and there is a drinking fountain near the entrance.

You can drive in and park either on the dirt lot or on the paved section. It can easily accommodate 20 cars, although I have never seen so many cars. Usually there are only 2-3 cars.

Lindsay M.

I've always loved gum Grove Park. It's more tucked away and more natural than most public manicured parks. You never know what you're going to find there! This time I saw so many of these tiny little frogs i couldn't even believe it!!

Ana B.

Nice and easy trail to take your dog. Although there were signs posted about coyotes, at the time of day that I went I felt safe to take the dog. If it were early morning or late evening, I would worry. Otherwise, its a short trail and well shaded