If you are looking for a short hike to fit into your busy schedule Sycamore
Canyon Park in Diamond Bar is the spot.  A hike to the top of the park is only
0.6 miles but  the walk is peaceful and relaxing.  Many trees provide shade and
there are benches along the way if you need a quiet place to sit.  The park even
has a small waterfall. 

This park is great for hiking or a picnic.  The park also contains a baseball diamond and a small  playground.  At one time the park had a large scary slide that went down a steep hill but it has been removed for safety.  Now a smaller and tame playground  remains.  This park can be accessed via Diamond Bar Blvd or Golden Springs Drive  in Diamond Bar.  If you cross the street at Diamond Bar Blvd you can access the  more challenging Steep Canyon Trail  via  Steep Canyon Road. 

Sycamore Canyon Park is my favorite park in Diamond Bar and I hope that you enjoy it.

The  park is located at:
 

22930 Golden Springs Drive
Diamond Bar, CA  91765

The City of Diamond Bar has several trails for hiking.  I hiked the Steep Canyon Trail on a perfect Southern California January day.  First you climb 97 steps or 105 depending on how you count. (The Diamond Bar website says 105 steps, but I counted 97).  Although this is a short hike of less than a mile it is a butt kicker with grades from 19% to 25%.  It is totally worth it because once you reach the top along the ridgeline trail the views are amazing.  

A unique feature of  the trail is that every time that I got tired or needed to catch my breath there was a convenient hilltop bench.  They seemed to be perfectly spaced apart when I needed to relax.   And the cool breeze and awesome views did not hurt either.  You can see all of Diamond Bar, Chino Hills, and even downtown Los Angeles on a clear day. 

Starting from The Steep Canyon trailhead you have the option to hike into different residential areas or into Summit Ridge Park.  The trail is well maintained and many signs along the way direct you to areas where you can go and other areas that you can’t.

Make sure to bring plenty of water and a light jacket just in case.  For more information visit the Diamond Bar website.