Plan Your Visit: Redwoods in Carbon Canyon Regional Park

Your TL;DR Guide to Finding Redwoods in Orange County

TL;DR: Located in Inland Orange County sits a small Redwood Grove. Inside Carbon Canyon Regional Park, these beautiful trees are easy to access – perfect for small walks or enjoying some time in nature. With a $3 – $5 vehicle fee and several lots, Carbon Canyon is a great spot to add into your travel plans.

Recently, I set out with a friend to explore Orange County’s famed Redwoods. With cameras in hand, we headed out on the trails early one morning. We were greeted with two surprises: the overcast sky unexpectedly turned into rain and the Redwoods were not hard to find at all!

A short walk (in the rain) led us to a little grove of not-so-little trees. These 100-ft giants (small in the Redwood world) towered over us, covering the ground in a cool layer of shade. It was beautiful, serene, and a tad bit chilly… The park ranger told us that people from throughout Southern California like to travel to see the park – and it’s no wonder why!

If you’re planning your own trip to Southern California, read on for my tips on how to find Redwoods in Orange County.

What Makes Carbon Canyon Special

The Little Village of Olinda

Once upon a time, this part of California was known as Olinda, a small village established in the late 1800s which grew due to the booming petroleum business (fun fact – Doheny, of Greystone Mansion, actually purchased the first oil well). Although Olinda and a neighboring village were eventually incorporated into today’s city of Brea, the area of Olinda continues to hold onto its original charm as a small-town village, with a feel very different from the rest of Brea. In fact, this community was officially registered as a California Historic Landmark (#918) in 1978.

Carbon Canyon Regional Park

Just off of Carbon Canyon Road sits Carbon Canyon Regional Park. Once used for oil drilling and agriculture, the land was acquired by the County in the 1900s and transformed into the scenic park it is today.

Renowned for its lush landscapes, serene reservoir, and diverse wildlife, the park has become a beloved recreational haven for locals and tourists. As an integral part of Orange County’s heritage, Carbon Canyon Regional Park continues to preserve its natural beauty and provide a peaceful escape for all who visit.

Charming Orange County Redwoods

Today, it stands out for its remarkable 3-acre grove of Redwood trees, a rare sight in the Orange County area. These Coastal Sequoia Redwoods are not native to Orange County – in fact, most people have to drive to Northern California to see these giants in their home habitat. In 1975, some seedlings were planted in Carbon Canyon. Compared to their Northern siblings, these Southern trees are merely babies, standing around 90-100ft tall.

These majestic Redwoods are incredibly resilient and beautiful natural wonders, inspiring generations with their towering presence. However, Southern California, which has experienced many droughts over the years, has struggled to preserve this special species in Orange County. Through collaborative efforts with researchers and local universities, the park continuously works to provide innovative ways to help the grove thrive in a different kind of coastal environment.

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The Logistics

Carbon Canyon, Yorba Linda, CA, United States

At A Glance:

Address: 4442 Carbon Canyon Rd, Brea, CA 92823

Hours: 7AM-6PM

Parking: $3 – $5

Facilities: Playgrounds, hiking trails, horse trails, picnic tables, restrooms, fishing, bird watching

Photography: Basic personal photography allowed; formal photoshoots/other require a County-approved permit

Parking for Carbon Canyon Regional Park

After entering through the gate and paying the $3 fee, you’ll see one main road that splits. Turn to the left, and you’ll be close to a few playgrounds, picnic tables, tennis courts, Armstrong Grove, and the Native Garden. To the right, you’ll head to the volleyball courts and Redwood grove. In the center of the park – and accessible from a few lots – you’ll find the lake and a large expanse of grass.

Inside the 124 acres of the park, only about 60 acres are considered developed, which makes it fairly easy to navigate. The closest parking for the Redwoods is a gravel lot located next to the volleyball courts – the parking lot at the very end of the road. However, if you visit during the rain (like we did!) you’ll want to park in the paved lot just prior to the gravel lot. During the rainfall, they drain the dam to prevent flooding – and part of that water leads to the gravel lot. However, we had no problem walking through the parking lot after the dam was drained, so it’s not exactly a flood.

Tips for Your Travel

Compared to other Regional and State Parks, Carbon Canyon is a fairly tame, easy to navigate place. As always, it’s best to bring some water and decent shoes for walking around. The path is mostly flat, and the walk to the grove (from the parking lot) is short (10ish minutes).

If you aren’t from the area, you’ll probably notice there are a few signs warning about mountain lions and rattlesnakes – this is very normal for Southern California (it’s our natural wildlife after all!). We also get a few coyotes. However, most people won’t run into these creatures at all. Especially in a well-trafficked area like the Redwood trail in Carbon Canyon, the animals generally avoid people. If you are concerned, however, you can check in with the park ranger to see if there has been any wildlife activity recently. In my experience, park rangers will let you know if any mountain lions or rattlesnakes have been spotted (coyotes are mostly active after sunset).

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How to Find the Orange County Redwoods

The Redwoods are incredibly easy to find. After parking in the gravel lot, there is an unpaved (mostly flat) trail that takes you into the grove. There are a couple of signs to guide you, but within a short walk, you’ll find yourself in the little grove. Keep an eye out for the Coyote Pass/Redwood Trail signs.

It’s usually a good 10 degrees cooler in the Redwood Grove than the rest of the park, so I would plan to bring a light jacket with you.

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Things to do in the Area

While at the park, you can explore its other facilities and try your hand at:

Fishing in the 4-acre lake
Playing Volleyball or Tennis
Picnicking underneath a canopy of trees
Throwing horseshoes

You can also explore the area more at one of these local gems:

Chino Hills State Park – perfect for hiking
Carbon Canyon Cafe – a local favorite for a mocha + snacks
Paul’s Country Kitchen – a brunch favorite
Brea Mall/Downtown Brea – for more shopping and dining

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A short drive from Los Angeles, Disneyland, and the famed beaches of Southern California sits the “little” wonder of Carbon Canyon – Orange County’s very own Redwood Grove. Whether you love nature or just want to add another iconic landmark onto your travel itinerary, Carbon Canyon Regional Park is an easy, accessible place to check out these majestic trees. Have you been to Carbon Canyon before? What was your experience like?