HomeCaliforniaSan Dimas › Valley Center Staging Area & Trailhead

Valley Center Staging Area & Trailhead

4.6 ★★★★★ 79 Google reviews · Running trail in San Dimas, California · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Not reported
Distance
6 mi
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Tree cover
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Valley Center Staging Area & Trailhead'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.

6 miShadedDog-friendly

Kid-friendly hiking spot featuring a creek that flows into the river, plus tree-shaded trails and rocks.

What runners say about Valley Center Staging Area & Trailhead

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (79 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🌳 shaded & cool 6 mentions

“It's a easy and great hike for summer since this trail has lots of shade, included some river crossing so it's nice to have extra pair of socks and shoes in the car.”

👟 good for all levels 2 mentions

“Easy hike for beginners and lots of tree shades.”

🐕 dog-walking favorite 4 mentions

“You can bring your dog and walk him, always people around, but not crowded.”

Had to cross the stream about 3 times from here to where 57 fwy is, but there are stepping stones to walk on. It’s a short and easy hike.

★★★★☆ — Mj , May 2022

This is the trail to hike on a hot day, there's about 95% of shade through Antonivich trail. 6 mile total hike (back and forth). I recommend you bring comfortable shoes, lots of water and a snack. You get to cross about 6+creeks through rocks not to get wet.

★★★★★ — Jessica , Apr 2022

Easy hike for beginners and lots of tree shades. Many stream crossings and rock hopping, so lots of fun for kids. There are also swing and rope for kids play along the trail. Dog friendly trails, but watch out for horse poos.

★★★★★ — Chung , Jan 2021

Great local hike. Seen lots of people swimming, but I wouldn't recommend it. The water is from the streets drainage and not what you would consider clean.

★★★★★ — Christopher , Jul 2020

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 79 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.

🌳 Shaded / tree cover 6 mentions

“It's a easy and great hike for summer since this trail has lots of shade, included some river crossing so it's nice to have extra pair of socks and shoes in the car.”

More trails like this →

🐕 Dog-friendly 4 mentions

“You can bring your dog and walk him, always people around, but not crowded.”

More trails like this →

🏃 Long-run distance (5mi+) 2 mentions

“6 mile total hike (back and forth).”

More trails like this →

Plan your run at Valley Center Staging Area & Trailhead

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • Distance6 mi as reported — check whether that is one way or a round trip before you commit. Long enough for a real long run.
  • ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
  • DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
  • Websitetrails.lacounty.gov
  • Phone(626) 575-5756
  • Social Instagram · Facebook

Hours

Monday 6 AM–6 PM
Tuesday 6 AM–6 PM
Wednesday 6 AM–6 PM
Thursday 6 AM–6 PM
Friday 6 AM–6 PM
Saturday 6 AM–6 PM
Sunday 6 AM–6 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 Valley Center Staging Area & Trailhead

15 S Valley Center Ave, San Dimas, CA 91773

Get directions

Running trails near San Dimas

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

Walnut Creek Trail

4.7 ★★★★★ 109 reviews

San Dimas, CA

3.8 miNatural surfaceShadedScenic

Recreational open space for hiking with trails, shady paths and a creek.

under a mile away

Walnut Creek Community Regional Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 1,615 reviews

San Dimas, CA

ShadedLitScenic

Park open during daylight hours, offering facilities for horses & horse-trailer parking.

under a mile away

San Dimas Avenue (Michael D. Antonovich) Trailhead

4.7 ★★★★★ 110 reviews

San Dimas, CA

3.8 miLoopNatural surfaceShaded

Shaded trail for hiking and dog-walking that crosses a creek.

under a mile away

Lyman Staging Area & Trailhead

4.7 ★★★★★ 69 reviews

San Dimas, CA

Shaded

Easy, shady hiking trails for exploring nature and flora, plus a picnic area.

under a mile away

Via Verde Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 328 reviews

San Dimas, CA

PavedScenicDog-friendly

Park, with playground equipment and a grassy field, plus a walking track.

1.2 miles away

Lone Hill Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 422 reviews

San Dimas, CA

ShadedDog-friendly

Neighborhood park featuring shaded and unshaded tables for picnics, plus basketball and tennis courts, softball and baseball fields, and playgrounds with slides, swings and a ball field.

1.4 miles away

All running trails in San Dimas, 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.