Hillcrest Park is a steep, oak-shaded hill just north of downtown Fullerton, laid out as a public park in 1922 and still one of the most pleasant green spaces in northern Orange County. Stone steps climb from the base on Brea Boulevard to a viewpoint at the top with a sweeping panorama over the city and, on clear days, out to the San Gabriel Mountains.
The park's WPA-era pavilions and stonework are still in use; locals come for picnics, weekend birthday parties, and outdoor fitness on the Hillcrest Stairs, a hard half-mile loop popular with runners. Bring water — the climb is steeper than it looks in the heat.