Juan Bautista De Anza Trail - Lake Balboa

Juan Bautista De Anza Trail

Lake Balboa

I feel lucky to have so many walking and biking trails within walking distance of where I live. I usually cycle past the Juan Bautista trail head, reminding myself to walk it soon, as it is so lovely. Even though it isn't quite so warm yet, I highly recommend walking / running the flat, dirt trail early in the morning or later in the evening. I started my trek at about 9 am, and it was already pretty warm. The trail, (located off of Balboa Ave., between Victory Blvd. and Burbank Blvd), runs alongside the very green and beautifully manicured Woodley Lakes Golf Course the entire duration. Keep an eye out for a gaggle of geese or two, that have made the golf course their favorite hang out. Or mated pairs of herons tending to their rather noisy chicks up in the trees. I was lucky to spot them flying around each other yesterday. Their babies sound similar to the wild parrots nesting in the trees along my street. Yes, I said parrots. Some believe they most likely reproduced and remained in the area after being released from Busch Gardens Theme Park, at the Anheuser - Busch Brewery, in Van Nuys. I'll never forget the first time I heard them in my neighborhood. They sounded like baby Pterodactyls, and were very loud! 

From 1966 to 1979 Busch Gardens Theme Park was a major tourist attraction, with bird shows, boat rides, a monorail tour of the brewery with free beer, a flume ride, and bird sanctuary. Having grown up in the San Fernando Valley I feel disappointed I never got a chance to see it. I was six years old when it closed down to make way for a brewery expansion. I'm going to ask my father on Sunday if he's ever heard of the Theme Park, or perhaps visited with his parents or my mother. Wouldn't that be a hoot! The following are pictures of Busch Gardens in it's glory days.

But I digress. At the halfway mark of the trail, you will come across a fork in the road. Take the right fork to continue along the dirt path. You will finally be afforded some shade, and a lot more trees and greenery. Enjoy the lovely field of yellow wild flowers to your left, and sprinkling of violet and white wild flowers as you continue on. The trail ends at the very fun outdoor gym! Isn't that wonderful?! How often will you ever encounter an outdoor gym, right? Most people I've told had no idea it existed. So, do yourself a favor and take the time to play around (I mean work out, lol) on the equipment. It's just fun!  

At this point you can either turn around and head back the way you came (suggested for the casual day tripper), or exit out the gate and continue walking along the bike trail / walking path. It will take you back where you started. Please enjoy the photos from the trail, and happy trekking! job description