Gum Grove Park

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.

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.

I took my dog here for a walk today and I felt like I was nowhere near a city. The the flowers and trees were gorgeous. I was lucky enough to see a hawk, an egret, lots of 🦋 butterflies, lizards and squirrels. A young family shared the photos they took of an owl on their walk. I hoped to see the owl, but I didn't. Maybe next time. I enjoyed the conversations I had with other hikers as well. I will come back and bring friends and family. Great day at Gum Grove Nature Park!❤
Lynnette Krause 🦋🪻🪶🌼🌿

Great places to just go and breathe, climb on tree branches with the kiddo and explore. Saw lots of people with their dogs, all very cordial, trained and friendly. Great places to see wildlife, saw lizards with my boy, lots of cool birds and we were also look out for frogs. Things to note, no restroom, picnic type areas are more organic and just chilling on tree stumps. There are trash bins so please be kind. All in all a wonderful place to mellow out, reflect, walk, be childlike and enjoy God's beautiful creation.

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.

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!!

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.

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

Favorite place to do a short, 1mile, hike with my dog. High and low ground pathways. Plenty of parking on gum grove side entrance. Dog friendly, leash required 100% of the time. Occasionally will catch a few dogs off leash, so just be aware and look ahead. No restrooms available, so plan accordingly. This is also a family friendly hike for all ages.

Great spot for a quick hike/walk. 3 level to choose from. Neat little spot.

Great park for walking your dog. Also had fun riding on some of the trails.

Pretty cool place . Feels like your far away but your not

Very overgrown...but so nice to be able to be back

Not usually a reviewer, but this pic just had to go public. Amazing trail, great for the well-trained off leash doggos!

I wish we had gone a month earlier as I can see that the super bloom must have been quite beautiful here. As it was there were still lots of flowers even just in the parking area!
Just make sure you know this is not your average city park with a grassy area and playground (that’s what we had expected, oops) - its meandering paths to walk. Quite beautiful, but not what you want if you don’t want to go for a walk!

This is a very hidden and in my opinion a little known park in Seal Beach. There is great hiking there and a trail with native American memorabilia along the way of your walk teaching you some facts about the local native American life from the past. In the spring and months when it's been rainy there are fantastic flower displays and even water to be seen. At this time of year it's very dry but there's shade from the large eucalyptus trees and the gum trees. It is a nice place to take a little hike. Worth the effort.

Hidden gem of Long Beach/ Seal Beach. Nice secluded nature trail/ park. Leads to multiple trails. If you go alone, bring pepper spray because they do have coyotes. If you are advanced on BMX, mountain bikes, you can ride the trails, lots of loose dirt and leaves though so for more advanced riders only.

Great place to walk your dog. It's shaded by the large Eucalyptus Trees so it's cool even in the summer. If you walk all the way to the end it is elevated and you have a nice view and there is a drinking fountain for you and your furry friend.

Gum Grove Park is a great place to take a stroll, get some fresh air, and walk your dog. It is a nice secluded area between a well kept neighborhood and a wetland. We met a very friendly couple at Gum Grove Park. They pointed out a family of owls that live in the park. They blend in very well with the trees. If you are lucky and vigilant you may spot a Great Horned Owl. Also, there is a very fun tree swing on the upper trail that is exhilarating. Plenty of free parking.

We couldn't find the entrance using GPS to the Crescent View & Avalon Drive, which is a residential area. Then I remember I saw a sign on the Seal Beach blvd and Heron Pointe and that's when I found an entrance with a small public parking. The walk was pleasant as there are lots of land birds singing, lots of butterflies, flowers, and adequate amount of shade. Nice people, friendly dogs, clean walking trail which make me feel safer than some of the parks we had been through.