Great but strenuous hike uphill 13 switchbacks 1- 1/4 miles up. Very rocky and mostly steep. Bring water! Wear good hiking shoes to scramble back down. The view of the reservoir was pretty over 1,000 ft up top. Out house no T-paper. Drinking fountain and water for horses. Took us an hour up we're over 70 in good shape. Stopped to catch breath n drink water.Down watch your step no stopping about 49 minutes.The creek is gorgeous and used for Wedding photos too. Week days very few hikers.

Stopped in the Elfin Forest and had a great walk. Lots of different streets to park on and walk in from. Didn't realize we walked it counterclockwise and backwards but it wasn't busy. We went in on 17th street and there wasn't much information. Used All Trails to see where the dirt trails went off of the boardwalk. Took several of those to experience the forest and get underneath the canopy. Saw and heard lots of birds and had a great view of the bay. Definitely worth a stop. Watch out for poison oak.

We had a nice hike in the chaparral and riparian area around the creek. We hiked most of the botanical loop until the trail narrowed as it gained elevation. That and the flies made us turn back to the creek. Crossing the creek on rocks wasn’t hard, even for our small dog.We were sad to see that the interpretive center wasn’t open on a Saturday afternoon but it made a good spot for a picnic.

Don’t be fooled by its name. This is a dusty, hot, rocky and fairly steep trail area with almost no shade. One part of the easier trail involved balancing on rocks to cross the creek. Not for those with knee or hip issues. There is nothing forested or charming about this place at all IMO.

Lovely hike, it is not an easy stroll, you do go up in elevation, but the views from the top is worth it. Summertime I would recommend early morning or very late afternoon, not much shade. The stream at the bottom is always a welcome site.