At first glance, Buena Vista Park in Vista seems like just a small, neighborhood park. There are some nice grassy areas, picnic tables, and a scenic pond full of ducks and other waterfowl. But if you explore just a bit further, you’ll find a respectable trail system that travels along both sides of Agua Hedionda Creek. Much of the trail is shaded by both indigenous oak trees and a mix of non-natives, but there are also a lot of exposed sections and it can get pretty warm on a hot day. Plan accordingly during the summer months.
We arrived mid-morning on a hot summer’s day. The trailhead was easy to find at the southern of the parking lot.
We followed the wide, dirt road south. The creek lie to our right, obscured by thick vegetation. Like most riparian areas, there’s lots of poison oak around so be careful if you venture off the trail. To the left, a utility road led uphill towards some power lines, but we continued straight along the main road.
Before long, the trail began to turn, following the contours of the creek as it bent eastward.
There were benches placed periodically along the trail, offering relaxing spots to sit and rest underneath the oaks that lined the creek.
In some spots, the creekside brush thinned sufficiently that we could see creek below. At this point in the summer, there was little water to be found, but we did spot a few stagnant pools here and there.
Around .6 miles we went under an overpass where Melrose Drive ran overhead.
Here we were able to get some clear views of the dry creek bed.
On our left there were houses, but they were hardly noticeable atop a slope and despite being so close to developed areas the trail still had a quiet, natural feel.
The trail plunged into the thick growth of oak trees. It was noticeably cooler in the shade.
At 1.1 mile we came to a bridge. The trail continued a short distance on the left before coming to a chain link fence marking the park’s boundary. We crossed the bridge and turned right to head back along the opposite side of the creek.
The trail passed in and out of the shade.
Around 1.5 mile we once again passed under Melrose Drive.
At 1.8 mile we came to another wooden footbridge which took us across the creek again and provided views of the waterway.
We continued along the path, in and out of the shady oak trees. The trail we had hiked in on was just a short distance uphill on our right.
At 2 miles there was yet another wooden bridge spanning the creek.
Once across the bridge we turned right and found more welcome shade, this time courtesy of a grove of eucalyptus trees.
While it was an easy hike, the hot summer weather had us sweating, and we were happy to spot the edge of the developed park area near the gate that marked the end of our hike. Once at the gate, we followed the paved road a short distance to the right to where we had begun our hike.
After finishing our hike, we took some time to visit the pond adjacent to the parking area and enjoy the many birds.
Directions:
Take I-15 North to CA-78 West. From 78, take the Sycamore Avenue exit and turn left onto Sycamore Avenue. After approximately .3 miles turn right onto Shadowridge Drive. Follow Shadowridge Drive for approximately 1.9 miles, then turn left onto Antiuga Drive. Follow Antigua Drive a short distance to Buena Vista Park and park. map
| Total Distance: | 2.25 miles |
| Difficulty: | Easy |
| Total Ascent: | 100 feet |
| Dog Friendly?: | Leashed dogs allowed |
| Bike Friendly?: | Biked allowed |
| Facilities: | Bathrooms and water in parking lot |
| Fees/Permits: | None |
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View route or download GPX from CalTopo
