With so many iconic spots in and around Santa Clarita, a trip here is sure to create memories that will last a lifetime. We all fondly remember the family vacations we took as kids but with today’s social media, memories can now be shared and preserved instantly. We have rounded up some of the most Instagram-worthy spots to explore.
Rising up prominently from the desert floor at extreme angles, Vasquez Rocks are instantly recognizable from such TV shows as the original Star Trek and films like The Flintstones. Visitors who come to the sandstone formations are instantly awed by the strange beauty and sense of outdoor adventure. It’s no wonder that the area is named after Tiburcio Vasquez, a notorious southern California bandit who used the rocks to hide from law enforcement in the late 19th century. The rocks are also home to Tataviam Indian sites.
The Vasquez Rocks Natural Area Park is located just north of Santa Clarita off the Antelope Valley 14 Freeway. The park is open from sunrise to sunset. The Interpretive Center is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. The park has areas to ride horses, picnic areas, hiking trails and rock climbing.
One of southern California’s hidden gems, Towsley Canyon is located adjacent to Interstate 5. It offers an incredible hiking experience, not to mention gorgeous photos for your Instagram followers to admire. Only minutes away from the heart of Santa Clarita, this rugged canyon includes cool, clear streams, natural tar pits, beautiful mountain vistas and a stretch of trail with near vertical canyon walls nicknamed The Narrows. There is a trailhead for Towsley Canyon at Ed Davis Park at 24335 The Old Road.
Right in the middle of Santa Clarita is the 130 acre Central Park. The rolling hills and well-maintained trails within the park offer fantastic views of the city and the surrounding mountains. A 3-mile trail is popular with hikers, bicyclists and equestrians. You can take your dog to the city’s Central Bark Dog Park for some exercise or an Instagram photoshoot!
With dozens of thrill rides and kid’s rides, plus live entertainment, you’ll never run out of cool things to see and do at Six Flags Magic Mountain. Known as one of the top amusement parks in the country and home to world record breaking roller coasters such as Twisted Colossus – the world’s longest racing coaster; The Riddler’s Revenge – one of tallest, fastest, longest stand-up coasters on the planet, X2, a trail-blazing fifth dimension roller coaster; and many others.
Keep in mind that on most rides smartphones and other small personal items must be secured in cargo pockets, zippered pockets or waist packs or left with a non-rider or secured in a locker. But the views available from the hilly terrain at Six Flags Magic Mountain are worth capturing in a shot or two!
Make sure to head over to the DC Universe section of the park to get a selfie with DC Comics superheroes like Wonder Woman, Batman and The Flash. You can also get your picture taken with Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck and other Looney Tunes characters near the Six Flags Plaza.
What is your top Instagrammable place in Santa Clarita?