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Arboretum and Botanical Garden at Cal State Fullerton

4.7 ★★★★★ 1,670 Google reviews · Running trail in Fullerton, California · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Not reported
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Arboretum and Botanical Garden at Cal State Fullerton's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

ScenicStroller / ADATrailhead parkingQuiet

A sprawling, 26-acre greenspace featuring 4,000+ types of plants, walking trails & a museum.

What runners say about Arboretum and Botanical Garden at Cal State Fullerton

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (1,670 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 15 mentions

“The Arboretum and Botanical Garden at Cal State Fullerton was one of the most peaceful and beautiful places I have ever walked through.”

🌾 quiet & peaceful 15 mentions

“The Arboretum and Botanical Garden at Cal State Fullerton was one of the most peaceful and beautiful places I have ever walked through.”

This was a nice place to visit and walk around that didn’t cost anything to get but you could make a donation. It’s location on the Fullerton University campus next to the baseball fields with the cost of parking through machines. They have friendly staff who welcome you in and can answer questions.

★★★★★ — L. , Jul 2025

This is one of the most amazing and local places I’ve been to and been soo satisfied. There’s a beautiful waterfall when you walk in. The parking is free on the weekends and there’s no admission. There’s a suggested donation of $5 and they sale vegetables and flowers grown on the property.

★★★★★ — Joshua , Nov 2025

9/10 Very nice trails full of specimens. Serene and peaceful place aside from ducks chasing geese. It was entertaining. A small creek serenades entry path to an open pond full of turtles basking. Lots of little hidden gems to appreciate and wish I could have stayed longer. Ocotillo blooms and size astounding.

★★★★★ — Green , Mar 2026

Very nice place to take a walk in a busy city. Free admission when I was there so I made a donation. Large collections of vegetation that is found in California.

★★★★★ — Tony , Apr 2026

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 1,670 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🏞️ Scenic views 16 mentions

“The Arboretum and Botanical Garden at Cal State Fullerton was one of the most peaceful and beautiful places I have ever walked through.”

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🤫 Quiet / uncrowded 12 mentions

“The Arboretum and Botanical Garden at Cal State Fullerton was one of the most peaceful and beautiful places I have ever walked through.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 8 mentions

“It’s location on the Fullerton University campus next to the baseball fields with the cost of parking through machines.”

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Stroller / ADA accessible 3 mentions

“They have signs directing you with accessible restrooms with emergency buttons, just in case.”

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Plan your run at Arboretum and Botanical Garden at Cal State Fullerton

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
  • Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
  • Websitearboretum.fullerton.edu
  • Phone(657) 278-3407
  • Social Instagram · Facebook

Hours

Monday 9 AM–4 PM
Tuesday 9 AM–4 PM
Wednesday 9 AM–4 PM
Thursday 9 AM–4 PM
Friday 9 AM–4 PM
Saturday 9 AM–4 PM
Sunday 9 AM–4 PM

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Arboretum and Botanical Garden at Cal State Fullerton

1900 Associated Rd, Fullerton, CA 92831

Get directions

Running trails near Fullerton

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Acacia Park

4.4 ★★★★☆ 461 reviews

Fullerton, CA

ShadedDog-friendly

This tree-studded greenspace offers walking paths, sports facilities, picnic tables & a playground.

under a mile away

Vista Park

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ScenicDog-friendly

Small hillside park, rentable for weddings, offering a charming gazebo with outdoor seating & views.

under a mile away

Mountain View Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 357 reviews

Fullerton, CA

Scenic

Brass plaques in this landscaped park tell visitors what they can see in the wide-spread views.

under a mile away

Panorama Nature Preserve

4.6 ★★★★★ 216 reviews

Fullerton, CA

MixedLitScenic

Small nature reserve with a paved & gravel walking trail offering sweeping views.

under a mile away

Tuffree Hill Park

4.2 ★★★★☆ 103 reviews

Placentia, CA

Recreational park offering soccer & baseball fields, tennis courts & a duck pond.

1.2 miles away

Craig Regional Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 2,625 reviews

Fullerton, CA

PavedShadedScenicDog-friendly

124-acre recreational park with biking, hiking & picnicking, plus hills, a rose garden & a lake.

1.5 miles away

All running trails in Fullerton, CA →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.