The San Gabriel Valley area has beautiful hikes just minutes away. But, if you have children, hiking can turn from fun, to work. Since we are stubborn (and by that I mean my husband) we kept trying to summit difficult hikes with our kids. But, we are getting old and finally choosing adventures that are more suitable to our children (and becoming more patient with dirt-play every 15 feet). After searching and wondering “What hikes can I take a stroller on? and “What are the kid friendly hikes?” we have recently had some success. Hiking is such a nice way to step out of the daily grind, so I will share our adventure!

The Arroyo Seco is an area of Pasadena that has 22 miles of hiking available. We recently went on the Lower Arroyo hiking area with our one and three-year old and it was perfect for them. We didn’t take the stroller, but it is very stroller friendly for the “BOB” types. Next time, I’m definitely bringing it. The hike is flat and mostly shaded, perfect for kids!

My husband wore the one year old in an ergo and our three-year-old happily walked. The part of the Arroyo Seco we hiked was along a culvert on one side and woods on the other. We saw a mysterious parking meter in the midst of thick foliage, as well as wild calla lilies.

There is an old stone stairwell that takes you up to the base of the Colorado Street Bridge built in 1913. This bridge is beautiful.

We heard if you keep walking you will go all the way up to the Rose Bowl. We just walked for a little over an hour and turned around when the kids started to get cranky.

Directions:

If you put in Lower Arroyo Park, Pasadena, CA 91105 Google maps will take you there. Or you can use the address to the Pasadena Roving Archers practice area which is 415 S. Arroyo Blvd. Pasadena, CA 91105. You will park near the archery center and fly fishing practice pond (which are also fun to check out!).

Find more information and maps here: http://www.ci.pasadena.ca.us/publicworks/arroyo_trails/

Check out the unfiltered iPhone pictures below. Happy hiking!

Good dirt by the Colorado Street Bridge

I wouldn’t park here.

Walking under the Colorado Street Bridge

Colorado Street Bridge, Arroyo Seco, Pasadena CA Hike

Old stairwell leading up to the base of the Colorado Street Bridge

Crossing over the water shed

Click here to read about another gorgeous hike we took our kids (and stroller) on called the Josephine Fire Road to Josephine Peak.

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