Arroyo Pescadero Trailhead

The inspiration

Arroyo Pescadero sits on a former oil field, and its pathways began as oil company roads^1,2 . The trailhead itself was built and opened on March 9, 2002, with entrance gates designed by Whittier Cal High School students and construction funded by Los Angeles County Proposition A³ . The authority itself grew out of a 1994 joint powers agreement, built on former Whittier Mayor Bob Henderson's idea that for every ton of trash, a dollar would go toward preserving the hills as a condition of the landfill's approval³ .

Who's behind it

The land is managed by the Puente Hills Habitat Preservation Authority, which works to acquire, restore and manage open space for biodiversity^4,5 . Its executive director, Andrea Gullo, has described Arroyo Pescadero as one of the agency's most visited trail destinations⁶ .

What to order

• Its peak connects to side paths leading to overlooks with views of both Los Angeles and Orange County cityscapes .²
• Arroyo San Miguel Trail: 1.8 miles, running east of Colima Road through habitat restoration projects that have created native coastal sage scrub for sensitive wildlife, including the federally threatened coastal California gnatcatcher .^1,2
• Deer Loop Trail: a 0.8-mile branch off the Henderson loop, lined with eucalyptus originally planted by an oil operator to screen the wells .^1,2
• The short ADA-friendly trail near the trailhead: a decomposed granite path through restored habitat, passing educational kiosks to a rammed-earthen amphitheater at a scenic vista .¹

What people are saying

Writers at the Fullerton Observer compare the area to Fullerton's Coyote Hills and call all three of its trails worth hiking for their biodiverse ecosystems² .

Why you should try it

This is an easy, family-friendly pair of hills minutes from Whittier, where a restored oil field has become quiet trails with city views and lively birdlife^1,2 . Watch the signage, though, since dogs are not allowed on the Arroyo San Miguel Trail and bikes are not allowed on the Henderson or Deer Loop trails¹ .