Mark Bolender, CRS

It's amazing how many people actually come to Santa Clarita on vacation. Yes, Santa Clarita is an under-rated tourist attraction and Los Angeles's county best kept secret. Here is my top 10 list for things to do when in Santa Clarita.

Top 10 Things To Do In Santa Clarita

1. Run, walk or bike on Valencia's 50+ mile paseo system. You will not believe the scenery as you make your way through these paseos. There are covered bridges over the streets which connect up to these paseos which make for a safe outdoor experince. Alternative trails are located at the beginning of Wiley Canyon near Via Pacifica. Park your car and walk, hike, bike, roller skate or take a horse on the dirt trail or bike trail along the Santa Clara river wash. Very relaxing and beautiful.

2. Gibbons Center.Visit the Gibbons Center. One of the largest collections of Gibbons apes in the United States. Go enjoy the songs and famous mating cries of the Gibbons. Truly, a life changing experience.

3. William S. Hart Park. Visit the museum and nature park at this historical setting. William S Hart was a silent film star and a real cowboy. This is a must visit when in Santa Clarita. Lots of places to relax, BBQ, play frisbee or just take pictures.

4. Placerita Canyon State Park & Nature Trail. This nature trail is one of my favorites and the park staff are nice and helpful. View lots of wildlife here. I've run into coyotes, owls, wild horses, bobcats, eagles, foxes and birds of every kind. This is also the first reported gold find from back in the gold rush days. Take the 2 mile, 4 mile or 8 mile hike. The 8 mile feels like 15 miles but this is where I ran into a herd of wild horses. WoW!

5. California Institute of the Arts. This eclectic college is unique. The students follow a self directed field of study. The campus is well located near a rustic zone and is near the original municipal golf course. Stepping onto this campus, you feel the buzz of creativity and art.

6. Castaic Lake. This lake is magnificent with it's white sand beaches, boulders and trees. The state of California is low on funds so the assorted camp grounds around the more rustic part of the lake are blocked off to keep cars out. Hike down through the trees to the bottom and you will find private, free, coves of white sand. The water is nice and the views are heavenly. Get some private sun bathing in here.

7 McBean Night Time Drive. Take a beautiful sunset drive down McBean in Valencia. Start off where the 5 freeway meets McBean. Cal Arts is your actual starting point. Take McBean north. Pass the town center mall and head up to Copperhill. Take a right on Copperhill and follow this to Haskell Canyon. Beautiful city lights, scenery, wildlife, joggers abound. Awe....During the Winter Holidays, turn left on Seco Canyon and take a look at the holiday lights. Whew!

8. Backwoods Inn. No trip to Santa Clarita can be complete without a trip to my favorite...Backwoods Inn. This historical restaurant has been here for many, many years. This country steak and fish house is like a museum with its western collection of antiques and nick knacks. The beer is cold, the portions are large and the staff is friendly. Many of the areas charactars, politicians and celebrites make this a favorite watering hole. Step upto the bar and go back in history.

9. Magic mountain and Raging Waters. One of the best amuzements parks in the world. Magic Mountain has some of the longest and fastest rollercoasters in the USA. If you get hot and thirsty in our desert, cool off in the wave mashine at our water park...Raging Waters.

10. Union Station Metro Link. This classic reproduction of a art deco train station has gotten very popular in the last few years with high gas prices. Take the metrolink train to Burbank or the museum district down town in Los Angeles. This classy train is safe and free of grafitii and marketing billboards. Last time I road they had a pitchwer of ice water and cups. The scenery along the train ride was both historical and intoxicating.

Well you guessed it, I love Santa Clarita and Valencia. There is so much to do here and by 8AM, the town is quiet and quaint, almost the way it was 50 years ago. If you need help finding anything on this list, please call me at 661-714-0510.