Two very different kinds of visits shape planning in Walnut: horseback riding and hiking trails through rolling hills, and cultural and scientific attractions with their own programs and visiting conditions. If you mainly want to spend time outdoors, the length of the trail network is a useful guide; for the planetarium, observatory or wildlife sanctuary, specific dates or reservations matter instead. This helps you first decide which experiences will define your stay before looking for a hotel in Walnut.
Horseback Riding and Hiking Trails in Rolling Hills
In Walnut, 30.5 miles of horseback riding and hiking trails wind through rolling hills. The trail network maintained by Walnut connects with Los Angeles County trails that are seven miles long. Along the trails are three rest areas with picnic tables, trash receptacles and shade trees. They provide specific places to stop for a break along the way. Trail lengths and details about the rest areas may be updated; check the latest information before planning your visit.
City Parks and Visiting Hours
The city park system includes eleven parks with more than 90 acres of landscaped grounds. City parks are listed as open from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. This time span helps you fit a park visit into your day; check the opening hours before you arrive. The number of parks and acreage may change. Trails and city parks therefore offer different points of reference for planning: the trail network is the main consideration for the trails, while the parks also have stated visiting hours.
History, Planetarium and Art
The William R. Rowland Adobe Redwood Ranch House in Lemon Creek Park was built in 1883 and restored. Its year of construction gives a visit a specific historical connection. For a science program, consider the Mt. SAC-Randall Planetarium: it is located in Building 26C at Mt. San Antonio College, 1100 N. Grand Ave., Walnut, California 91789. New planetarium shows are offered there each month. School and scouting groups can take part in field trips that include a planetarium show as well as building and launching rockets. Plan your visit around the current monthly program.
The Diana Berger Art Gallery features exhibitions ranging from contemporary to traditional art. Its scope includes painting, printmaking and fine art, as well as graphic design, photography, illustration and commercial art. This distinguishes an art visit from the more time-specific observing and planetarium offerings: exhibition themes are the main guide to the focus of a visit here.
Nature and Stargazing
The Mt. SAC Wildlife Sanctuary is a 26-acre outdoor classroom and sanctuary. Its habitats include coastal sage scrub, chaparral, oak woodland, walnut woodland and grassland; it also has three freshwater ponds. The sanctuary is not open to the public. Free guided tours are available by reservation, last about one hour and are open to groups of up to 30 people, including teachers or parents. If you plan such a tour, confirm your preferred date in advance; tour schedules may change.
Access to the Mt. SAC Telescope Observatory works differently: it is open to the public once a month from 9:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. for free telescope viewing. Here, viewing is limited to a monthly time slot, while visiting the sanctuary requires a reserved guided tour. Before an evening visit, check which date is scheduled for public viewing.
Discover more destinations: Hacienda Heights, Vernon, Arcadia, Hawaiian Gardens, Lake Los Angeles, Malibu, La Verne, Glendora.
For the broader travel overview: Los Angeles.
