Merry in Moreno Valley

At 2.6 miles round trip, a quick escape to the out-and-back Cold Creek Trail in Moreno Valley is a great way to enjoy a beautiful sunset. The trailhead is located right in the middle of the city (or more accurately, a suburban neighborhood) and is very easy to access.

As you depart from the trailhead, it isn’t long before you leave the neighborhood behind. The trail starts out rather flat as it skirts the back side of houses, but soon you’ll be on a gradual climb (226 feet elevation) into the hills.

Once above the houses, the views open up into a sweeping panorama of the Inland Empire, San Bernardino Mountains, and San Jacinto Mountains (including two of southern California’s tallest peaks: San Gorgonio and San Jacinto).

The trail is wide open and easy to follow for almost the entire length. Just before reaching the end, the trail veers sharply uphill and becomes much narrower—but don’t worry, this part only lasts for a minute or two until you reach a flat area with some really cool rocks. This is the end of the trail.

After snapping a few photos of the view, head back the way you came, enjoying the setting sun for the rest of your hike. For the best sunset experience, aim to start your hike around 45 minutes before the official sunset time, depending on how fast you like to hike.

The Cold Creek Trail is located in Moreno Valley. Map. Park is open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Street parking available in the neighborhood but please be respectful of the locals. Dog-friendly.

Story and photos by Natalie Bates, @wanderwithnatalie