Olinda Oil Museum & Trail — Attraction in Brea

Happened upon this trail in the rolling hills of East Brea. This small town has big offerings and etymon. Trail entrance is off of East Santa Fe Road beginning at the museum (see photos). More than 100 years have passed in this great "little" city with its history rooted in "Black Gold" from the hills. The trail offers the curious views of Olinda Oil Well number one. On clear days you can see the Long Beach Port and the Isthmus of Catalina Island.

There is ample parking at the museum. On the right, the trail begins. Left of the trail is a once used field office, a jack line pump, a records vault and public restrooms. This is a well-marked trail with quick rise to the top. Lizards, bunnies and ravens are seen often while ascending. Starting the trail there is a canyon, then do cross the bridge and climb up to the withered tree (full of birds) and some serious hiking begins.

Signs guide you up the switchbacks to the heaven of best views. One trail I found to be challenging--yet remote---is "The Bunny Trail." Resplendent vistas and if you are lucky sightings of mule dear in the meadow. Great for the weekend or weekday hike. East trail you can be to the top in 30 minutes or if formidable appeals to you try Westside Bunny trail for the multi hour torture in the steeply pleasant hills of...

We had a wonderful experience here recently, a MUST see if you live in OC or if you're visiting the area and love learning about you're surroundings!

The staff were very welcoming and so knowledgable of the old oil town of Olinda, its historical past and the significance it had to the oil industry and its' residents!

The docent Chris F who my friend and I spoke to in length, happen to be 4th generation of Olinda. His first hand family experiences of living on the Olinda lease as a child, attending the towns' school house and an aray of other first hand conversations were priceless! Thank you Chris F, ...my 83 year friend (who raised her 3 children in Olinda Village in the 60-70's) and I thoroughly enjoyed our visit!

This State Park ran museum has done a wonderful job with its' museum displays on the inside as well as its' outside Oil drilling equipment displays in the exhibit area above the Field Office Building. Next time we visit we will explore the oil museum trails as well.

I had lived in Brea for 10 years in the 1980's and my friend in the 1960' & 1970's. It was awesome to visit this museum last week after being away for many years and learn first hand about Olinda's history that we never knew much about till now!

Thank you for the awesome...

A strong 4.5 trail. Accesible by the museum area or by the lower olinda park by east to north trail, as it connects to the lower trail. Around 2 to 3 miles plus more if you head towards the carbon canyon area. Perfect for walks, jogs run pets on leash bikers. Trails are switchbacks, loose gravel, and steep hills up and down. Great museum, for photo ops and for historical appreciation. The parking lot is tailored and clean, and the sites are intriguing and yet a throwback to retro. Keep it clean and enjoy the views and benches that are provided along the way. In addition, it is the same at the olinda Trail, which is not closed. Just refer to the museum...