This landscaped trail runs parallel between Ardmore and Valley Drive in Hermosa Beach. The 24 acre strip was once part of the Santa Fe Railroad easement.
At one time, the Santa Fe Railway was Hermosa's only link to civilization. It went as far south as Redondo and east to Los Angeles.
In the 1920s a railroad depot was built at Ardmore and Pier Avenue. It was torn down in the 1960's when the Santa Fe ceased using the Hermosa to Redondo part of the railway system.
Two neighbors planted the first trees here in the 1960s, carrying buckets of water across the street
until the trees were large enough to survive on their own.
In the 1980s there was the usual interest by developers but the wise citizens of Hermosa voted to preserve it for recreational use, with no hardscape allowed.
The public was willing to tax themselves in the millions to secure, landscape and maintain The trail. There are 4 exercise stations along the trail and a bench here and there.
It is just a half a mile from the beach and, lucky for me, a half a mile from my house!
As you can see, with the beach closed, it has become very busy but there is plenty of room to keep a distance.