The Heavens Are Open (Literally) If you’ve ever driven through El Sereno and glanced up at that wild, untouched hillside and thought “I wonder what’s up there…” — well, you’re about to find out. Supposedly, Elephant Hill got its name when officers in a helicopter looked down and thought the 110-acre stretch of land looked like the outline of an elephant. Whether that story is true or not, locals have always had their own name for it: The Heavens. Visit once and you’ll understand why. The history here runs deep. For years, community organizers fought back developers pushing gated luxury homes, put a stop to illegal dumping, and kept off-roaders from tearing up the land. It was a long fight, and every bit of it was worth it. Now it belongs to all of us.
Mark your calendar: May 2nd, 9am. Come celebrate the official Elephant Hill Trail Opening! Hike the new trail alongside local naturalists, learn about the urban conservation work of nonprofit partners right here in El Sereno, and soak in views that have been a long time coming. Get there the good way: walk, bike, or take transit. If you’re driving, please park on Collis near Pullman. Fuel up with coffee and refreshments from Elephant Hills Bakery.
