Day hiking trails in Los Angeles area that kids will love

Malibu Creek and the Goat Buttes at Malibu Creek
State Park. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia.

Are there any good day hiking trails for kids in Los Angeles? There are more trails than you know ... despite being a sprawling an urban area, nature areas with hiking trails actually abound. This no doubt is due to the many mountains in the area. My three favorite L.A. hikes for kids include:
g El Dorado Nature Center - The Long Beach park boasts two miles of dirt trails that wind around two lakes, over a stream and through a forest.
g Malibu Creek State Park - Try the Rock Pool trails, where a path of shaded oaks lead you to a pool with volcanic rock walls.
g Upper Franklin Canyon Park - In Beverly Hills, this is Andy Griffith's famed fishing hole. A great nature center sits nearby.

Read more about day hiking with children in my Hikes with Tykes guidebooks.