Hopkins Wilderness Park

Erin Resch

Such an amazing beautiful park. My children love this. They even do birthday parties! There's turtles and fish in the pond and there's tons of walking space that kids love to roam around in. There's a bathroom (not a porta-potty, which is great). If you do a birthday party there they even have Park rangers that will help you during the day! They even have a place that you can plant your own garden but I'm not familiar with how you participate that program.

Edward Ramirez

Tucked right in the middle of the city, this place feels like a hidden gem. The trails are peaceful, the greenery is lush, and it offers the perfect escape without needing to go far. It was the kind of day that fills your soul—good food, fresh air, and nature just a few minutes from the coast. Can’t ask for a better way to spend an afternoon.

Victor C

Hopkins Wilderness Park is a nice and peaceful area. At the entrance, there is a recreation center if you wish to enlist your children there or volunteer. There is about 3-5 picnic area all come with restrooms and a BBQ grill with 3-4 seating areas. Along the trail there is an outdoor stadium with seats that can accommodate many people. It's a nice stroll to have with the family, especially if they're into the outdoors. The main pond has turtles, fish, tadpoles, insects and many more. A good little place to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city life and enjoy what God has created.

Rebecca K. Shipman

Such a lovely, quiet place to eat a packed lunch and get away from the hustle and bustle of the work week. The little stream and pond were relaxing to observe. Watched the turtles and fish in the pond as well as some little local critters while walking around in the rest of the park. Good amount of free parking. Nice to enjoy a park that's not geared towards sports and playgrounds - just a little bit of nature.

Jason Loomis

I love this place. As you walk through the gate, the bustle of the South Bay outside fades away to be replaced by the gentle rustle of the trees and twittering of birds. It is a great place for a walk or just to be able to find a shady spot and decompress for a moment. And great fun for the kiddos as well--whether they want to run around or climb a tree or watch the turtles in the pond (and there are plenty of restrooms around the park). Just note that they close at 4:30.

Jane E.

First time here today and we LOVED it! The park is big and so lush green with a lot of trees and some beautiful flowers. There is a pond right after you walk in with Koi fish, turtles, and ducks. There are a lot of tables and benches in all areas of the park where you can sit to rest or do a picnic. It was nice and quiet and peaceful at the park. I saw a few families with their little ones (including mine) enjoyed the stroll around the park. My daughter was having so much fun running up a small hill, hiking through some small bushes and flowers, and exploring throughout the park. We spotted some squirrels and beautiful birds. We spent about over an hour there and enjoyed it so much. Park is open every day (except Wednesdays) from 10AM-4:30PM Parking lot is on site in the front of the park. The lot is not that big yet not small. We got there at around 10am and there were still some spots left. This park has now become our favorite spot for the weekends for sure. Will definitely go back there again soon. Next time we planned on doing a picnic there 😊

Risa

It was our first time here when we came for a birthday party! We loved it! From the pond with the turtles and fish to the beautiful big trees! I noticed there was another party on the other side of the park. So possibly 3 areas to BBQ and relax. The park was kept very clean! Will definitely go back again soon!

Christopher Corn

Great place to take the kids to explore in the woods and play around the pond looking for turtles and big koi fish. Very peaceful Park. Great place to go to get out of the city for just a moment. I love this place

Qwen Lee

I remember going to this park when I was 7 20 years ago in 1999 & it was me & my aunt. Now I'm grown up this forest still gives me memories. Nice to see new plants growing & lot of turtles & fish in the pond. Now these days I go up here to practice mindfulness to be around nature.

Jim Kara

Hopkins Wilderness Park revisited! I came back to my roots of landscape appreciation with an update on the natural preservation of the park. Kudos to Mike and staff who have maintained the park so well! Special thanks to the good folks of the South Bay Parkland Conservancy, including Carl and son, who have been busy with the continuing reforestation of the park! This place has been my favorite urban respite! Here, I feel detached from the hustle and bustle of the big city and South Bay. There’s short trails, good for families with children. Along the way, hikers can see signage about the trees, rehabilitation efforts and new growth in progress! There’s a pond just inside the entrance, past the office on the left. Here viewers may see fish and turtles in the water. Further left, down the hill, was another larger pond with similar contents, tho where ducks were usually seen. Unfortunately, this pond seems to have dried up! The park is a natural area, promoted and preserved to continue as it would’ve been without development, and then some. Add in some imported types of trees and plants, and we have an island of green space, surrounded by long term urban sprawl. Hopkins Wilderness Park is indeed one of the few examples of a natural area park between the Santa Monica Mountains and Palos Verdes. Nestled beneath the trees are mini campsites with picnic tables, grills, sinks and trash containers. Stand alone picnic tables and benches offer a meditative experience, to have my greens and eat them! There’s a fair amount of free parking available inside the gates on weekdays, tho weekends may be crowded. There’s no street parking immediately outside the gates. Although two to three blocks over, either side may be additional available parking, signs permitting. Just when a heat wave is covering much of the southland, I look out from the high point and see the marine layer moving in, so there’s the additional benefit of the cool ocean air here!