Hopkins Wilderness Park

(Redondo Beach, CA)

★★★★☆

It’s imitation wilderness, but a good place to bring your kids or just take a shady walk in something that feels like nature. Lightly wooded, trees, some hills, trails, a stream and two ponds (one near the front, usually filled with ducks and turtles, the other at the back and more wild), plus areas for picnics and overnight camping. You can almost forget you’re hiking in the middle of suburbia, but it’s too small to get lost. (Also too small to recommend as a destination if you’re not already in the area.)

Over the last few years, a local conservation group (South Bay Parkland Conservancy) has been slowly re-introducing native plants to rewild the landscape. This works out well ecologically, makes it a touch more authentic, and adds another educational layer for field trips. It’s starting to feel less like a 1970s idea of where you’d camp in the mountains, and more like this part of California. In 2026 they finished restoring the second pond at the back of the park.

Restrooms and water are available at the front and at each campsite, plus a few more drinking fountains scattered around the park.

You can see more of my photos in this Flickr album.