Boomburb Brew

Exploring the Santa Clara River Trail in Santa Clarita

Well away from the LA hustle, the boomburb of Santa Clarita has nearly 80 miles of public trails ripe for exploring, including this 6-mile out-and-back along the Santa Clara River, featuring a midtrip coffee break.

Park at the Iron Horse Trailhead and start on the Santa Clara River Trail, first heading briefly west to have a look at the trestle bridge that was featured in The Lost Boys vampire flick. Then reverse course, going east on the multiuse paved trail. You can hike it, bike it, skate it, run your dog on it—even ride your horse—as the path hugs the richly vegetated, but currently dry, river.

At just under a mile, stay left for the South Fork Trail as it parallels the sandy wash and goes under a bridge. Now it’s time for an art show! First comes a colorful mosaic mural. Then at just under 2 miles, you will pass by a series of unique empty frames—an art project called Framing Santa Clarita—and finally a recycled-material piece called The Spirit of Santa Clarita. When you reach Valencia Boulevard, turn left and follow the sidewalk briefly, followed by another left onto the Chuck Pontius Commuter Rail Trail. Continue on this route for another mile, passing under another bridge. Soon you’ll see a set of stairs on your right leading to a strip mall. What’s that aroma? Your halfway point! Time for a sip before the return trip.

BONUS BEVERAGE: Follow your nose to the eastern end of the strip mall to Bodhi Leaf Coffee Traders. Enjoy a latte with perfect foam, a specialty “farm to cup” drip, or take home a growler of their cold brew. Either way, enjoy a truly awakening experience before heading back to your car.

To get to the Iron Horse Trailhead, take the I-5 to Magic Mountain Pkwy. and exit east. After 0.8 mile, make a U-turn at Avignon Dr. and look for the small spur road to the trailhead on the right, just after the big dirt lot. Dog-friendly!

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Serene Las Gallinas

    A serene stroll alongside marshland, passing ponds and grasses frilled in seasonal wildflowers, with Mount Tam a beacon in the background … how nice. As part of the esteemed Bay Trail, San Rafael’s Las Gallinas Valley Birding Loop and Wildlife Ponds comprises about 3.5 miles of wide-open trail.

    View
  2. Paint Brushy

    This time of year you’ll have good reason to head for the hills—the electric-green rolling hills of Brushy Peak Regional Preserve in Livermore. This 4.5-mile loop hike is like stepping into a plein air painting.

    View
  3. Sponsored

    2025 POST Wildflower Walks

    Get flower empowered! POST’s complimentary 2025 Wildflower Walks guide blooms with the best places to see a variety of florals across the Peninsula and South Bay this spring.

    View
  4. All right, Almaden!

    Take a trip through time on this 5-mile loop in Almaden Quicksilver County Park. Explore the ruins of an old cinnabar mine and enjoy the first hints of wildflower season.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Sponsored

    Weekend in Reno Tahoe

    Weekend plans? Reno Tahoe! Just a few hours by car or a short flight away, Reno Tahoe springs to the moment with great ways to combine adventure and relaxation in its beautiful mountains-meets-desert setting.

    View
  2. Hiker walking along the North Bluff Trail on Santa Cruz Island, Channel Islands National Park

    Purely Wild

    Channel Islands National Park lives up to its nickname as “North America’s Galapagos.” This less-traveled national park is an undeveloped and isolated series of five dramatic and distinct islands reached by boat. Hike the largest of the islands, Santa Cruz.

    View
  3. Woman hiking the South Kaibab Trail in the Grand Canyon

    Truly Grand Day Hike

    One of the best spring day hikes in the Grand Canyon? See layer upon layer of the park’s grandeur—including the river—on this 3-mile (one-way) journey to Skeleton Point via the South Kaibab Trail.

    View
  4. A woman stands amid an array of yellow and purple flowers at Descanso Gardens in Los Angeles

    Petal Paradise

    Tulips, lilacs, and daffodils—flower power is in full bloom at Descanso Gardens in La Cañada Flintridge. Sprawling across 150 acres surrounded by mountains, the gardens are putting on their best show right now.

    View